Kansas Livestock

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This steer acted pleased to visit us and quickly hurried to see what we were doing. Maybe he'd never seen a Newfoundlander like Gary before. Although Kansas is better known for its wheat, it also produces excellent beef and buffalo. In 1870, Kansas livestock numbered 24,956 animals; in 1994, this number had increased to 3,951,470. Kansas ranks second in the nation for cattle slaughtered and third for red meat production.

Not to be outdone on Kansas friendliness, more of the herd ambled over to investigate the click - click of the camera. A 750 pound steer produces approximately 45 pounds of manure per day. Manure is an excellent fertilizer and farmers use the manure from the feedlot to fertilize the crops. Thrifty Kansas farmers were "recycling" before the term ever became popular.

This bull was lying on the ground when we first arrived. After we sweet-talked to him for several minutes he finally stood up, stretched and then walked away. You can tell by the posture of his back legs that he's still at the end of his stretch.

This photo shows various colors of white-faced cattle. This pasture fence is constructed with posts made from trees. Many modern farmers have replaced the rotting wood with either steel or pressurized wood posts; however, farmers are a thrifty lot and don't replace them until it becomes absolutely necessary.