In the News - January 2008
Homespun advice from a veteran county agent
Fred rings in the New Year on the farm
BENTONVILLE, Ark. - As noted in a recent article, technology continues to
make rapid changes in the world of production agriculture. Some producers are
quick to adapt, while others take a conservative approach and let the bugs get
worked out before buying in.
Fred was a quick adopter, especially in regards to his cell phone, but was
aggravated by its size. Simply put, it was a headache to keep up with and he
managed to lose it on more than one occasion. By borrowing another phone and
retracing his steps around the farm, Fred always managed to ring up his cell
phone location before the cows stepped on it.
Fred finally solved the problem by tying one end of a string to his phone and
the other to his belt loop, which initiated chuckles from friends and family but
the string worked. At least until last week!
Returning home after feeding hay on Christmas morning, Fred discovered the
string had slipped off and his cell phone was gone. To make matters worse, the
routine of dialing the number while retracing his morning steps failed to locate
the phone.
Earl stopped by the next morning in time to join Fred on his hay feeding
routine. While talking cows and weather, an unusual sound continued to intrude
on the otherwise pleasant morning. As the cows continued to quietly munch hay
the two men walked around them trying to locate the source of the sound.
As he stopped next to one old cow and listened intently, Fred could hardly
believe his ears, “I’ll be dad-blamed! That’s my cell phone ringing and it’s
coming from inside this old cow!” After a great deal of speculation they
concluded that Fred had lost his phone while feeding hay and the cow had somehow
managed to swallow it.
Earl commented, “I’ve seen cattle chew on plastic bags, milk jugs and stuff,
but never thought they might swallow a cell phone.” Fred just stood there in a
stupor, listening to the infrequent ringing of the phone. Walking over to the
pickup, Earl retrieved an OB sleeve from the veterinary kit and calmly handed it
to Fred.
A puzzled look on his face, Fred asked, “What’s that for?” Without blinking
Earl replied, “Aren’t you going to answer it?” ‘Til next week!
The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the U of A Division of
Agriculture.
January 4, 2008
By: Robert Seay
Benton County Extension Agent
Media Contact: Lamar James
Extension Communications Specialist
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2187 or (501) 753-0207
ljames@uaex.edu
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