It is with great sadness that I share with the cattle industry and those that have known him that Lloyd Jungmann, owner of Hawkeye Breeders Service, has passed away.

Johns Creek Veterinary Clinic is dedicated to the health care needs of "companion animals." They understand the delight, joy, and affection that bonds you with your pet. They are committed to providing the best in veterinary care to enhance and extend that relationship for as long as possible.

At Johns Creek Veterinary Clinic they offer a full range of Veterinary Services for dogs, cats, birds, and exotic pets, as well as boarding and grooming. They are committed to practicing veterinary medicine with a personal approach. They take an interest in each and every one of their patients. They give your pet the same individualized care as their own pets.

Visit www.johnscreekvet.com to learn more and check back often for their special offers!

Over here in the North Wing of the office, we get a bright ideas fairly often, but a couple of weeks ago we had our best yet! We decided to support our local 4-H kids and reserve a table at the Warren County 4-H Benefit (Beboppin for Bucks). Jonina and Amy had been designing and printing all the paraphernalia for the event so we inquired about the specifics. It seemed that there would be a first rate pork chop dinner, dancing, and an open bar…we were in!!  Now the next step would be talking all of our significant others into attending as well, we couldn’t very well go without dates! I took this as the perfect opportunity to insist that Craig come down for a visit. My co-workers had been giving me a hard time due to the fact that he had only come to visit once and I always have to drive to see him. Like most things, it really never bothered me until they brought it up. I was on a mission! I began bringing it up in our nightly conversations…he was baffled since he thought I was fine with our arrangement. I quickly informed him that I was not fine! I’m quite sure he was so appreciative of the “gang” for putting this idea into my head!! So I told him about the event and he gave in and agreed to make the trip to Indianola! My roomie Jen and her boy-toy Cody were going to be in attendance as well, along with Erin and her husband Chris, Amber and her husband Chad, and Tiffany and her husband Bryan. I have to note that with both Jen and I having guests for the weekend, Ed proclaimed that we would be living like hippies, all cohabiting like the early 60’s...we assured him it would be very 2009! Speaking of Ed, he and his wife Marion and their grandchildren were going to be present too! We were all pretty excited for the evening so we decided we should decorate our table. With the latest craze of the Happy Housewife and wheresedje.com we determined this would be the best way to go! Since the life size Housewife is in Ft. Worth, we had to construct our own “Mini-me” version to sit on our table. Except for the fact that it took Jen four hours to cut her out, it was a grand plan!! Saturday night rolled around and we got all dolled up and met at the Church?!?! Yes, the event was held at the Catholic Church’s reception hall. Bar and Church? I thought that only happened in Montana?? Nevertheless, the whole evening was a blast! We mingled, bid on silent auction items, and dined on the best pork chops I had ever tasted! Next was the live auction! We had our eyes on a Casey Blake Dodgers Jersey in gray!! I don’t know a thing about baseball but since we already have one of his jerseys framed in the office, I figured he was important! Later I realized he was a hometown boy and married to Ammie’s (from the EDJE Bussiness Team) sister! Ed managed to get second high bid, but we ended up with the white jersey! Pickles! I had my heart set on the gray! Next we all tried on the jersey and posed for pictures. Pretty soon a fabulous Oldies band began to play! We danced the night away!! What a fun evening!! Thanks Amy, for actually giving us a fun way to spend a Saturday night in Indy!!

Its inevitable. Every year at the same time I get another year older. We all do. I got to work this morning thinking I was really doing good not thinking about what was happening this Saturday. Another year. Another number.

Then in walks Tiff with a beautiful bouquet of Butterfingers and balloons - my favorite! I realized then, even though I was trying to make it clear I wasn't having a birthday this year, that it was going to happen whether I like it or not.

Thanks ladies of the biz team for wonderful treat! I must begin plotting what to do for your birthdays now...

The National Western Stock Show is a highlight for anyone involved in the livestock industry. The “Grandaddy of ‘Em All” includes numerous national shows for all of the major breeds of purebred cattle. The shows on the “Hill” include haltered cattle from across the country and in the “Yards” you find herd sire prospects galore. This year fortunately the weather cooperated during the three days that I was in Denver. It was actually warmer while I was in Denver than it was back home in Oklahoma!

I was fortunate to travel with one my oldest and dearest friends, Diane Johnson from Fort Worth, Texas. Diane and I became friends through our common backgrounds in the purebred cattle business and livestock marketing through our graphic design businesses. Even though neither of us had vested interest in Denver with livestock, we always enjoy attending the stock show to catch up with old friends and often times make new friends.

EDJE Technologies was represented in full force during the Denver Stock Show with a booth in herd bull row in the Yards and EDJE Casts of several of the shows as well as the Angus Foundation Sale. The EDJE crew that attends the Stock Show always enjoys visiting face to face with the many clients that we assist throughout the year with their livestock merchandising needs whether it be print sale catalogs, online sale catalogs, livestock photography, web design or EDJE Casts.

One of the EDJE highlights this year was the debut of our EDJE Lady! You can see her pictured here with Diane and me. And let me tell you, she made the rounds at the Stock Show. She was seen with the likes of David Gazda with the American Angus Association, Doug and Holli Parke of DP Sales Management, Mike Jones of Jones Auction, Val Eberspacher of Eberspacher Enterprises. She was spotted on the Hill, in the Yards, even kept some late hours at the hotel bar from what I hear. She smoozed with the parking guys and even posed with a few Denver champions! On her last sighting, she was headed south to the Fort Worth Stock Show with Bruce Miller. So watch out for her if you are headed to Fort Worth next week! You never know where EDJE might show up!

Shari Holloway

Through the years Vanderpool Construction Inc. has grown from a small operation based out of owner Mike's home. Mike was doing the digging and his wife, Marylee was doing the books. Today Vanderpool Construction Inc. has grown to a multi faceted excavation company with over 35 skilled employees and a reputation for doing quality work at a reasonable price.  From a single backhoe in 1971 to a seemingly endless line of equipment today, Vanderpool Construction Inc. has the tools and knowledge to do the work right the first time. Their website is just another step forward in the growth of their company.

TrenTek Products, with operations in Spartanburg, SC, has become the market leader in floor protection products sold through the building distribution channels.  TrenTek’s goals are to provide superior products that maintain consistency in quality and marketability, thus creating customer satisfaction, brand recognition and higher profits to every company or person using or selling them.  They reinforce their thoughts and goals every day by the continued reordering of their branded products.

The dental team at Indianola Family Dentistry is committed to the highest standards of patient care and friendly, efficient services. They bring the latest concepts of preventive and restorative dentistry to you and your family. Their business team works with you to help make your dental care affordable for every member of your family.

If you live in the Indianola area and are looking for a new dentist, then head on over to Indianola Family Dentistry, where they want to make you smile!

Pine Feathers is an alternative to pine shavings. Unlike most beddings, Pine Feathers is made using cardboard and newspaper. This reduces waste and has less of an impact on our environment.

Charlene Jewell, the owner, has had a life long passion for horses, and has finally found herself with two beautiful horses, and great story you can read here.

Even if you are not interested in bedding for animals, then at least check out the short movie I did featuring the four Marx brothers. I personally have never seen any of their movies, but I hear from our tech guy, Kelly that they are quite a good time. I suppose I will have to take his word for it!  They have a move called Horse Feathers, which was inspiration for on of the Pine Feathers' Bedding product lines.

If you are a Marx fan, let me know what you think of the video, by leaving a comment below.

The Kentucky Farm Bureau Beef Expo website just underwent a redesign for 2009. The Expo is held at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky, the first Saturday weekend in March each year.

Currently, there are 11 breed shows and sales including Angus, Beefalo, Charolais, Chiangus, Limousin, Polled Hereford, Red Angus, Red Poll, Salers, Shorthorn and Simmental.

In their 23rd year, they won't only be getting a new look for their websiste, but they are also giving viewers a new way to watch the Breed Shows and Breed Sales over the internet using EDJEcast technology. Sign up at EDJEcast.com so you don't miss out on the shows or sales if you can't make it to Louisville.

This year's Expo runs from March 6th-8th. Be sure to attend or tune in so you don't miss out!