Last month CattleGrower conducted a poll asking members if they would like the ability to post listings of their stock at CattleGrower.com  

Results were conclusive with the vast majority of members indicating a desire for this function.

We believe what we've created is a first in the industry given it's flexibility to list most any type of livestock (bovine, equine, canine, caprinae, swine, camelid, etc.) quickly and easily without making compromises in any livestock area.

Here are a few of the features we've integrated into the new listing application for the CattleGrower community:

• There is no cost to post listings
• Streamlined and easy entry approach which focuses on core areas of your stock
• Multiple yes/no fields for quick entry and extended information for the viewer 
• Value ranges rather than actual (example: $3,500 to $5,000 to open negotiations)
• Tagging and status option  
• Automatic global mapping
• Generous areas for text input and photo display
• Ability to receive instant comments, feedback, and votes on the quality of your stock

Not to be confused with Classifieds. Classifieds are designed solely for buying and selling, Listings are designed to post, keep track of, and show off your stock with an option to mark specific animals for sale.

Featured Listings:

Featured listings show up first in searches. The more views and votes your listings receive the better chance they have of being featured. 

How it Works

• To see an actual completed listing, please click here
• To see how listings will show up on your main profile page, please click here and use the "listings" tab to the right of my picture.
• To search for listings use the "Listings" tab on the main menu bar
• To post your listings: While logged in use the "my apps" icon on the main menu bar and select "manage listings"

Note: While our back end software will try to re-size your photos, you'll have the best experience if you limit image size to less than 2000kb and 500X500 pixels.

As with most anything new, there may be small bugs and/or changes to the application. Please don't hesitate to let us know if you experience any problems or have any suggestions for improvement.

Group and Event leaders now have the capability to send a mass message to all of their respective members through the CattleGrower.com network.

Back Ground
The Group and Event applications at CattleGrower.com are an excellent way to network.

When a Group or Event is created, typically the creator invites others that share the common interest to participate.

Other community members may join as they become aware of the new group or event. In addition CattleGrower.com regularly features stand out groups and events in its e-letter to over 25,000 other ranchers.

Any member can create a Group or Event at CattleGrower.com - To do so simply select the "my apps" icon on the main menu bar then either "Group" or "Event". Note that you must be logged in to see the "My Apps" icon.

SPAM Tolerance
As with any new feature at CattleGrower.com the use, or abuse, will dictate possible restrictions and approvals on any new feature moving forward.

If you are a Group or Event leader please carefully consider the context and frequency in which you message others. Any form of abuse may result in immediate termination, or assignment of your group or event to another member without notice.

As a Group or Event member who receives messages from Group or Event leaders, certainly realize it is your option at any time to leave a group or event if you no longer wish to receive messages from it.

New Year Clean Up
In order to help keep our community focused and clean, please take a moment to delete any Groups you may have created in the past that are no longer in use by you.

Make New Connections and Share Common Interests
Chances are there is a Group or Event at CattleGrower.com with others who share your same interests. To explore them, simply use the "Group" or "Event" tabs on the main menu bar.

PS - Be sure and check out the new Exhibitor area at CattleGrower.com too. Here you can find, comment, rate, and even become a fan of various ranch related businesses. You can also list your own business for no cost - Simply select "Exhibitor" from the "My Apps" drop down while logged in.

Questions, Comments, Feedback? Feel free to post below...

One of my favorite things to do at fairs and stock shows is to visit the exhibitors.

It's been quite a while in the making but we're excited to bring an element of this nature to CattleGrower.com.

Through the new Exhibitor Section members of CattleGrower.com can now share their business information with over 25,000 monthly visitors to CattleGrower.com in what we believe to be one of the most capable business directory platforms for ranch related products/services on the market.

Different than most business directories your probably used to seeing, CattleGrower.com provides several functions for feedback and interactivity:

Ratings and Comments
Others can rate your business with an easy click on up to five stars as well as make comments about what they might like (or not) about your business.

Build a Fan Following
Others can show their support of your business by becoming a fan.

There are several other great features that make this directory an excellent place for your business to be - Direct links to your web site, global mapping, and more.

Connected to Your Main Profile Page
Many of us don't have private web sites. CattleGrower.com membership provides one for you in the form of your main profile page which links to all your postings... Classifieds, albums, videos, and even your business listing in the new Exhibitor section. Just click my picture or name on this page as an example.

What About the Cost?
There is no cost for a standard listing, which is just fine for most folks. If you'd like a featured listing which will show in the top slide bar it's just twenty bucks month to month with no contracts, etc..

We'll also be looking for exceptional business listings to feature for no cost determined by:

• Quality of posting (completeness of listing, logo, etc.)
  
• Number and quality of fans
  
• Overall activity of listing owner in the CattleGrower.com community

Posting Your Business is Quick and Easy

1. Log in to CattleGrower.com
2. Use the "My Apps" icon on the main menu bar and select "Exhibitors"
3. Post your listing (be sure to have a logo image handy)

As a final note, all business listings, even paid, are subject to approval by CattleGrower.com - Please make your postings as professional as possible and use professional logos when at all possible.

Certainly feel free to post any comments, questions, or suggestions for business categories below (Must be logged in to Comment).

No doubt technology is moving fast... So fast most of us have a difficult time keeping up with it, especially those of us who make a living ranching. 

There are two main reasons ranchers aren't as quick to adapt and use technology:

1. Most ranchers spend their days (and often nights) in the corrals and pastures rather than at a desk.

2. Many benefits and uses of technology aren't immediately transparent to those who don't spend their days behind a computer.

I'd guess several reading this article haven't even heard of one of the latest rages, Twitter. I'd also venture to say those who have don't have much of an idea of what it is and how its technology can makes their lives better.

So, what is Twitter? In a nutshell, it's a tremendously simple process of sharing short ideas and messages (140 characters or less) through the Internet or your cell phone, at no cost, to those your connected with.

How's that for a simple explanation!

Better yet, how can Ranchers use this technology for their benefit directly?

Here are Five Ways:

1. We all want to keep in touch with our family and friends more, but often we're just too busy to make that call.

Twitter provides a quick and easy way to keep in touch with friends and family with your daily experiences that don't generally call for more formal communication - Even if they are half way around the world.

Here are a few examples: "Betsy finally had her calf - Nice looking heifer" or "Twelve more inches of snow today - Can't wait for Spring"

2. Those who use Twitter know many of the "tweets" they receive (your messages) are just your way of keeping in touch. Therefore, it's completely acceptable to have business contacts as followers to keep up with what is going on in your informal life.

Here are a few examples: "Last calf down - eight heifers and two bulls - going to be a great sale this fall" or "Finally decided to sell that old tractor - First $9,500 takes it"

3. Ever had a quick question while out in the field? The more followers you have on Twitter the quicker you'll get get help. Just grab your cell phone and 'tweet' away!

Here are a few examples: "What's the best way to get out from under a tractor wheel?" or "How can I keep deer out of my hay stacks?"

4. We've all had one of those days... stuck in traffic, gored by a bull, etc. The sage advice is to let it out! Rage to your Twitter followers rather than running your truck in to that guy that just cut you off and you'll feel better.

5. Ever stood in front of the movie theatre wondering if your about to waste 15 bucks? Send a quick tweet to find out if your better off waiting for it to come out on cable.

The uses of Twitter are endless, but all of them have an overriding factor... to keep in touch.

If you already use Twitter, or do in the future, be sure to connect your Twitter account here at CattleGrower.com to increase your exposure and build your following - While logged in use the "My Apps" icon and select "My Twitter"

Also, here is an excellent video to help you understand Twitter better.

The number of animals and plants protected by the federal Endangered Species Act is about to increase dramatically.

For Cass Sunstein, radical animal-rights activist and nominee for the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) Administrator job, that means he will be better positioned than ever to make livestock farming a thing of the past.

How are the two things connected? The Center for Consumer Freedom's director of research appeared on the Fox News Channel last week to explain to Glenn Beck’s audience how much influence Sunstein may soon have over what we eat:

Cattlemen in this country own and manage most of the lands that are covered by the Endangered Species Act, that are subject to control.

So you ask: Why is Cass Sunstein’s hatred and animus toward meat eating such a big deal?

It’s because he’ll be in a position to be able to use the Endangered Species Act to put cattlemen out of business. And then the price of your steak goes up. And then the price of your cheeseburger goes up.

It’s not only cattlemen who could be at the business end of Sunstein’s ridiculous anti-meat philosophy. 

Environmental activists groups sued over the Endangered Species Act in 2006 to divert water to a habitat for a three-inch bait fish in California – taking the water away from drought-stricken farmers and costing the California economy more than 60,000 farming jobs.

Imagine what would happen if activists didn’t have to sue to get what they wanted, but could just pick up the phone instead.

The future “regulatory czar” has made no secret of his coercive tactics to get Americans to eat less meat. His grand plan is to make meat more expensive to produce, which will in turn make it harder for American families to afford. Similarly unpopular tactics have been attempted in the drive to get people to drink less soda.

While Sunstein couches his plans as a “nudge,” we’d say it’s more like a shove.

Hug your cheeseburgers tonight, because they too are about to become an endangered species.

*Source:  The Center for Consumer Freedom 
--------------------
Not a member of CattleGrower.com? Like FaceBook but only for ranchers (bovine, equine, caprinae, camelid, swine, etc.) Join here and start connecting with other like-minded ranchers today.

Below is an article originally written by Mike Brooks, Mr. Inside Sales.

While not specific to the livestock industry it provides excellent insights on how to better discover your prospects needs and make more sales.
---------------------------
If I gave you a pencil and asked you to sell it, how would you go about it?

This is one of the most basic of interview questions for sales reps, and the answer reveals so much about your previous training, your understanding of the sales process, and ultimately about what kind of sales rep you are.

So, what is the most effective way to sell a pencil?  Well, first let’s look at how most sales reps go about doing it.  When I’m interviewing sales reps I love using this technique.  After letting a rep tell me how good of a closer they are, I pull out a pencil, hand it to them, and tell them to sell it to me.  And off they go!

80% of sales reps start the same way – they start pitching.  “This pencil is brand new, never used.  It has grade “2” lead and a bright yellow color so it’s easy to find.  It comes with a built in eraser,” etc.

Some reps can (and do!) talk about it for 5 minutes or more before they ask a question or ask for an order.  As the sales rep rambles on, I begin to yawn, roll my eyes, etc.  Amazingly, this just makes them talk even more!  “What’s wrong with these people?” I think.

Now let’s look at how the top 20% go about selling a pencil.  As soon as I give a top rep the pencil, they pause, and then they begin asking me questions:

“So how often do you use a pencil?”

“How many do you go through in a month?”

“What other locations does your company use pencils at, and how often do they order them?”

“What quantity do you usually order them in?”

“Besides yourself, who’s involved in the buying decision?”

Quite a difference, huh?  I’ll tell you right now, I listen to hundreds of sales reps in a month and they can easily be separated into these two groups:  Those who pitch, pitch, pitch, and those who take the time to understand their prospect’s buying motives, and properly qualify to understand the entire selling process. 

Now let’s see which category you fit in.  When you speak with a prospect for the first time, how much of your script is focused on describing and pitching your product or service as opposed to questioning and uncovering buying motives?

If yours is like most scripts I review, then it’s filled with descriptions of what you do and how your product or service helps them.  Most scripts attack the prospect with a barrage of “value statements” that turn people off and make them want to get you off the phone as quickly as possible. 

Want a better way?  Then take a tip from some of the best “pencil sales reps” and change your script and opening to focus more on questioning - discovering whether you’re dealing with a qualified buyer, and what it might take to actually sell them.

Without knowing this, you’ll just end up with a lot of frustration and a lot of unsold pencils at the end of the month.

The new Links area at CattleGrower.com is a place to discover and share content from anywhere on the web related to your livestock species and other issues primarily surrounding ranching and farming.

Everything in the Links area — news, video, audio, images — are submitted by Members of the Community like you.

Different than most link directories you've likely seen, and a first for the agricultural community, links rise to the top as voted on by Members. So, every link has an equal shot at being the next big thing on CattleGrower.com.

How Does it Work?

Once something is submitted it goes in the 'Upcoming' area for thousands of visitors to see and vote on what they like best. If three or more members give your link a 'thumbs up' its promoted to the 'Popular' page where it competes with other popular links for placement.

In addition to being able to vote on links, you can also comment on them and even place a voting widget on your web site or email to increase your link popularity.

Use the "Links" tab on the top menu to check it out after reviewing these common questions:

Common Questions:

• Can the public view the links? Yes, unless they are made private by the link poster.
• Can I put the same link in more than one category? No duplicate links are allowed.
• How many votes does a link need to be moved to the 'Popular' page? Three
• Why isn't my link being moved to the 'Popular' page? It either does not have the required three votes, or it has been longer than 30 days since it was first submitted.
• Why can't I edit a link? You only have 60 minutes from initial submission to change your link information and you are not able to change the web address of your link once submitted.
• Why won't my picture upload? It must be of file type jpeg, jpg, gif, or ping - Be no larger in file size than 200 kb - And be no larger dimensionally than 120X120 pixels.

Of all the people in your family, you likely rack your brains more for ideas when it comes to Dad's day than any other.

Finding the perfect gift for Dad is easy and you don't need to spend much, if anything at all. In fact, most father's would rather very little was spent on them.

As a father of four I can share a few inexpensive ideas that are sure to be a hit:

1. A Dream Fund.
We all have something that we really want, but can't afford. Figure out what that is for Dad – a new tractor, a saddle, a fancy tool – and start a fund for it. This can be as simple as filling a jar with change or placing a few dollars in a savings account. The amount of money you contribute really isn't important – you just want to show him that you support his dream.

2. Take Out an Ad.
You know how much you love your dad, but does the rest of the world? Take out an ad in the classified section of your local newspaper to tell Dad just how much you appreciate him. Lots of newspapers offer special Father's Day listings, but you can always tuck yours away in the announcements section, if your paper doesn't do this.

3. A Special Photo Album.
With the advent of digital cameras and camera phones, appreciation for printed photos isn't what it used to be. Spend a few hours going through pictures that were taken over the years, PRINT them out and make a photo alblum for Dad. My guess is he'll appreciate this so much that you won't ever have to wonder what to do for him next year.

If you just can't helping spending money on Dad, get him something personal and practical.

4. New Boots, a Wallet or a Belt.
We all know how tough ranching can be on outerware so go for quality here. Likely your dad will appreciate the boots, wallets, and belts made by Red Wing in addition to the fact that their products are made in the United States.

5. Ammunition
With possible new government regulations, ammunition is getting harder to find and more expensive every day. Reloading equipment (if you can find any) or a box or two for your Dad's favorite firearm could be a bang.

Feel free to share any of your Father's day ideas through the comment box below...

Not a member of CattleGrower.com? Like FaceBook but only for ranchers (bovine, equine, caprinae, camelid, swine, etc.) Join here and start connecting with other like-minded ranchers today.

I was debating on whether or not to post this information so quickly behind the post on 7 Things You Probably Didn't Know About the Humane Society.

Primarily because CattleGrower.com's primary purpose is to promote fellowship and networking opportunities for livestock producers rather than to become a political forum.

However, given the strong appeal and subsequent readership of 7 Things You Probably Didn't Know About the Humane Society I just couldn't help myself in posting and sharing this with you as well ....

--------------------
1) According to government documents, PETA employees have killed more than 19,200 dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens since 1998. This behavior continues despite PETA’s moralizing about the “unethical” treatment of animals by farmers, scientists, restaurant owners, circuses, hunters, fishermen, zookeepers, and countless other Americans. PETA puts to death over 90 percent of the animals it accepts from members of the public who expect the group to make a reasonable attempt to find them adoptive homes. PETA holds absolutely no open-adoption shelter hours at its Norfolk, VA headquarters, choosing instead to spend part of its $32 million annual income on a contract with a crematory service to periodically empty hundreds of animal bodies from its large walk-in freezer.

2) PETA president and co-founder Ingrid Newkirk has described her group’s overall goal as “total animal liberation.” This means the complete abolition of meat, milk, cheese, eggs, honey, zoos, aquariums, circuses, wool, leather, fur, silk, hunting, fishing, and pet ownership. In a 2003 profile of Newkirk in The New Yorker, author Michael Specter wrote that Newkirk has had at least one seeing-eye dog taken away from its blind owner. PETA is also against all medical research that requires the use of animals, including research aimed at curing AIDS and cancer.

3) PETA has given tens of thousands of dollars to convicted arsonists and other violent criminals. This includes a 2001 donation of $1,500 to the North American Earth Liberation Front (ELF), an FBI-certified “domestic terrorist” group responsible for dozens of firebombs and death threats. During the 1990s, PETA paid $70,200 to Rodney Coronado, an Animal Liberation Front (ALF) serial arsonist convicted of burning down a Michigan State University research laboratory. In his sentencing memorandum, a federal prosecutor implicated PETA president Ingrid Newkirk in that crime. PETA vegetarian campaign coordinator Bruce Friedrich has also told an animal rights convention that “blowing stuff up and smashing windows” is “a great way to bring about animal liberation,” adding, “Hallelujah to the people who are willing to do it.”

4) PETA activists regularly target children as young as six years old with anti-meat and anti-milk propaganda, even waiting outside their schools to intercept them without notifying their parents. One piece of kid-targeted PETA literature tells small children: “Your Mommy Kills Animals!” PETA brags that its messages reach over 1.2 million minor children, including 30,000 kids between the ages of 6 and 12, all contacted by e-mail without parental supervision. One PETA vice president told the Fox News Channel’s audience: “Our campaigns are always geared towards children, and they always will be.”

5) PETA’s president has said that “even if animal research resulted in a cure for AIDS, we would be against it.” And PETA has repeatedly attacked research foundations like the March of Dimes, the Pediatric AIDS Foundation, and the American Cancer Society, solely because they support animal-based research aimed at curing life-threatening diseases and birth defects. And PETA helped to start and manage a quasi-medical front group, the misnamed Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, to attack medical research head-on.

6) PETA has compared Jewish victims of the Nazi Holocaust to farm animals and Jesus Christ to pigs. PETA’s religious campaigns include a website that claims—despite ample evidence to the contrary—that Jesus Christ was a vegetarian. PETA holds protests at houses of worship, even suing one church that tried to protect its members from Sunday-morning harassment. Its billboards taunt Christians with the message that hogs “died for their sins.” PETA insists, contrary to centuries of rabbinical teaching, that the Jewish ritual of kosher slaughter shouldn’t be allowed. And its infamous “Holocaust on Your Plate” campaign crassly compared the Jewish victims of Nazi genocide to farm animals.

7) PETA frequently looks the other way when its celebrity spokespersons don’t practice what it preaches. As gossip bloggers and Hollywood journalists have noted, Pamela Anderson’s Dodge Viper (auctioned to benefit PETA) had a “luxurious leather interior”; Jenna Jameson was photographed fishing, slurping oysters, and wearing a leather jacket just weeks after launching an anti-leather campaign for PETA; Morrissey got an official “okay” from PETA after eating at a steakhouse; Dita von Teese has written about her love of furs and foie gras; Steve-O built a career out of abusing small animals on film; the officially “anti-fur” Eva Mendes often wears fur anyway; and Charlize Theron’s celebrated October 2007 Vogue cover shoot featured several suede garments. In 2008, “Baby Phat” designer Kimora Lee Simmons became a PETA spokesmodel despite working with fur and leather, after making a $20,000 donation to the animal rights group.

*Source:  The Center for Consumer Freedom 
--------------------
Not a member of CattleGrower.com? Like FaceBook but only for ranchers (bovine, equine, caprinae, camelid, swine, etc.) Join here and start connecting with other like-minded ranchers today.

1) The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is a “humane society” in name only, since it doesn’t operate a single pet shelter or pet adoption facility anywhere in the United States. During 2007, HSUS contributed only 3.64 percent of its budget to organizations that operate hands-on dog and cat shelters. In reality, HSUS is a wealthy animal-rights lobbying organization (the largest and richest on earth) that agitates for the same goals as PETA and other radical groups.

2) Beginning on the day of NFL quarterback Michael Vick’s 2007 dogfighting indictment, HSUS raised money online with the false promise that it would “care for the dogs seized in the Michael Vick case.” The New York Times later reported that HSUS wasn’t caring for Vick’s dogs at all. And HSUS president Wayne Pacelle told the Times that his group recommended that government officials “put down” (that is, kill) the dogs rather than adopt them out to suitable homes. HSUS later quietly altered its Internet fundraising pitch.

3) HSUS’s senior management includes a former spokesman for the Animal Liberation Front (ALF), a criminal group designated as “terrorists” by the FBI. HSUS president Wayne Pacelle hired John “J.P.” Goodwin in 1997, the same year Goodwin described himself as “spokesperson for the ALF” while he fielded media calls in the wake of an ALF arson attack at a California veal processing plant. In 1997, when asked by reporters for a reaction to an ALF arson fire at a farmer’s feed co-op in Utah (which nearly killed a family sleeping on the premises), Goodwin replied, “We’re ecstatic.” That same year, Goodwin was arrested at a UC Davis protest celebrating the 10-year anniversary of an ALF arson at the university that caused $5 million in damage. And in 1998, Goodwin described himself publicly as a “former member of ALF.”

4) According to a 2008 Los Angeles Times investigation, less than 12 percent of money raised for HSUS by California telemarketers actually ends up in HSUS’s bank account. The rest is kept by professional fundraisers. And if you exclude two campaigns run for HSUS by the “Build-a-Bear Workshop” retail chain, which consisted of the sale of surplus stuffed animals (not really “fundraising”), HSUS’s yield number shrinks to just 3 percent. Sadly, this appears typical. In 2004, HSUS ran a telemarketing campaign in Connecticut with fundraisers who promised to return a minimum of zero percent of the proceeds. The campaign raised over $1.4 million. Not only did absolutely none of that money go to HSUS, but the group paid $175,000 for the telemarketing work.

5) Research shows that HSUS’s heavily promoted U.S. “boycott” of Canadian seafood—announced in 2005 as a protest against Canada’s annual seal hunt—is a phony exercise in media manipulation. A 2006 investigation found that 78 percent of the restaurants and seafood distributors described by HSUS as “boycotters” weren’t participating at all. Nearly two-thirds of them told surveyors they were completely unaware HSUS was using their names in connection with an international boycott campaign. Canada’s federal government is on record about this deception, saying: “Some animal rights groups have been misleading the public for years … it’s no surprise at all that the richest of them would mislead the public with a phony seafood boycott.”

6) HSUS raised a reported $34 million in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, supposedly to help reunite lost pets with their owners. But comparatively little of that money was spent for its intended purpose. Louisiana’s Attorney General shuttered his 18-month-long investigation into where most of these millions went, shortly after HSUS announced its plan to contribute $600,000 toward the construction of an animal shelter on the grounds of a state prison. Public disclosures of the disposition of the $34 million in Katrina-related donations add up to less than $7 million.

7) After gathering undercover video footage of improper animal handling at a Chino, CA slaughterhouse during November of 2007, HSUS sat on its video evidence for three months, even refusing to share it with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. HSUS’s Dr. Michael Greger testified before Congress that the San Bernardino County (CA) District Attorney’s office asked the group “to hold on to the information while they completed their investigation.” But the District Attorney’s office quickly denied that account, even declaring that HSUS refused to make its undercover spy available to investigators if the USDA were present at those meetings. Ultimately, HSUS chose to release its video footage at a more politically opportune time, as it prepared to launch a livestock-related ballot campaign in California. Meanwhile, meat from the slaughterhouse continued to flow into the U.S. food supply for months.

*Source:  The Center for Consumer Freedom 

“Rule one,” White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel told The New York Times last November, is “never allow a crisis to go to waste.”

But despite some accusations of fear-mongering, the White House clearly seems to understand that not every crisis should be exploited. In response to the growing panic over a new strain of swine influenza A (H1N1) discovered last week in Mexico, President Obama assured Americans today that the H1N1 virus is “not a cause for alarm.”

Sadly, not everyone is following the Commander-in-Chief’s lead. For animal rights activists at the Humane Society of the United States, the opportunity to use “swine flu” to scare American meat-eaters was apparently too tempting to resist.

The mouthpiece for HSUS’ latest anti-meat effort is Michael Greger. Over the years, Greger has shamelessly leveraged public panic over bird flu, mad cow disease, and SARS to promote meatless eating. Now we can add so-called "swine flu" to Greger’s list.

According to HSUS, there is no question that American pork producers are to blame for the latest flu outbreak:

With massive concentrations of farm animals within which to mutate, these new swine flu viruses in North America seem to be on an evolutionary fast track, jumping and reassorting between species at an unprecedented rate. 

Sounds scary enough. But before we start quarantining every piece of ham and bacon in sight, let’s look at what other public health experts have been saying.

Dr. Anne Schuchat dispelled pork contamination rumors at the first Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) press briefing on Thursday:

You know, when you hear the word swine influenza you think about swine and many people wonder can you get this from eating pork?  The answer is no you can't get swine flu from eating pork or from eating pork products.  So that's not something that you need to worry about. 

The CDC quickly reiterated Schuchat’s point in a Q&A on its website:  

Can I get swine influenza from eating or preparing pork?

No. Swine influenza viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack concurred in a statement on behalf of the Department of Agriculture yesterday:

According to scientists at USDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, swine flu viruses are not transmitted by food so you cannot get swine flu from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork or pork products is safe. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160°F kills all viruses and other foodborne pathogens.

The World Health Organization also joined the chorus:

Is it safe to eat pork and pork products?

Yes. Swine influenza has not been shown to be transmissible to people through eating properly handled and prepared pork (pig meat) or other products derived from pigs.

Finally, President Obama assured Americans this morning that the new virus strain is no cause for alarm. 

So if it’s impossible to contract swine flu from eating or handling cooked pork, why is it called “swine flu? in the first place” The World Organization for Animal Health in Paris (the "OIE," in its French acronym) has an interesting answer: It shouldn’t be.

The flu virus spreading around the world should not be called "swine flu" as it also contains avian and human components and no pig was found ill with the disease so far, the World Animal Health body said on Monday.

A more logical name for it would be "North-American influenza"

Renaming the virus makes sense to us, but don’t expect to hear much logic from HSUS. To the animal rights giant, the tragic but minimal death toll in Mexico is an opportunity to stoke fears of animal agriculture -- and avoid letting a precious crisis go to waste.

Michael Greger’s anti-pork panic is just the latest example of why dietary zealots shouldn’t be mistaken for reliable health experts. The modern farming practices that HSUS condemns as a source of the swine flu virus are probably humans’ best firewall against the disease. Modern farming keeps animals in controlled environments, where they are far less susceptible to contagion and pandemics. “Free-range” pork, on the other hand, is more likely to spread diseases through communal contact and uncontrolled contact with people.

Source:  The Center for Consumer Freedom 

It's common opinion most ranchers are a few years behind when it comes to technology.

Is this an insult? I don't take it that way at all. Most of us have simply not had the need or time for most of it.

Things are moving so fast these days though that the wise are starting to catch up.

Starting with the simpler things will help many of us see how easy (and profitable) it can be.

Let me help explain with a real life example...

A few months back I was at my neighbors ranch when his mobile phone rang.

He pulled this scraped up little device that must have been five or more years old out of his front shirt pocket.

After his call I asked if he had checked out the newer models. He said the one he had was just fine and he saw no reason to give the phone company any more money.

Fine, I thought. The phone he has serves his purposes and gets the job done for him. I also took a small lesson in frugality from him.

Then I asked how many contacts he had in his phone. He said over a hundred. 

I had to make sure he was aware that he could have his phone backed up daily for two bucks a month in case he lost it out in the pasture or it slipped out of his pocket into a water trough or something. A feature they didn't have five years or so ago when he got his phone.

He didn't seem to want to do it at first, but I told him it was easy and we could do it right now. He handed me his phone and I showed him how.

I had the sense that he he was doing this more for me than him. But a few weeks later when circumstance had it that his phone finally stopped working altogether I'm pretty sure he was glad he spent the two bucks.

The moral of this story is that just because what we've been doing has been working for us doesn't mean there isn't a better or easier way.

Online networking is one of those easy things all ranchers should be taking a look at to increase their reach.

You might be suprised at how simple it all really is after watching this short video on how social networking works and what it can do for you.

Click Here for Social Networking in Plain English Video.

After watching the video, here are the top three things you can do to start growing your network fast at CattleGrower.com (must be a Member and logged in to comment and post)

1. Browse the sight and comment on posts that interest you.
   
2. Use the "Advanced Search" link on the top right of any page to find and connect with others.
   
3. Make your own blog, poll, video, or other posts to attract like-minded people looking for someone like you to connect with. (Use the "My Apps" icon on the top menu bar while logged in for any of these)

If this type of information is helpful to you, or if you have any feedback, please log in and comment below.

Note: If you'd like to receive instant notice when I post on this blog, simple log in and use the "subscribe" link underneath my picture on the top right.

• Standard Mileage Rate Increases
• Increased section 179 Amounts
• Additional tax relief for disaster areas

Would you like to know immediately when when something you are looking for comes up for sale, or when someone is looking for something you have?

Livestock, Supplies, Services, Equipment, Property, Etc.

Simply use the "RSS" link at the bottom of any page of CattleGrower.com and select what type of livestock or other items you want to be notified of when a posting is made in the Classifieds area of CattleGrower.com

You don't have to be a Member of CattleGrower.com to receive these notices, only if you want to post a classified.

The ability to post classifieds for free, have others receive instant notice of your postings, and have these postings available to over 20,000 visitors a month makes CattleGrower.com an excellent place to find or sell what you need. In addition, all classifieds are deleted after 90 days so you don't waste your time chasing dead ends.

To post a classified: While logged in, simply select "classifieds" from the drop down menu of the "My Apps" icon on the top menu bar.

How RSS Works:
"RSS" is short for "Really Simply Syndication" - Which is simply a way to receive instant information on your computer through your email or other software.

No personal information is needed, not even your email address - Your computer actually pulls the information rather than it being sent to you and you can turn it off anytime you like.

Generally you don't even need to install any new software, or need anything special with most modern computers. For most, you just click a button and your computer will pull from the "feed" and place in a separate folder of your email as often as you like.

Very easy to use and only takes a few quick clicks. Give it a try by using the "RSS" link at the very bottom center of this page.

Other RSS Feeds at CattleGrower.com

Receive instant notice of:

- Events
- New Groups and New Group Posts
- Blog posts
- Polls
- Much More

Best of all, you can narrow down by species, topic, etc. to get only the type of updates on information you want.

Please post any comments or questions below rather than messaging me in order to help others who might have the same question.

Members can now easily post post their favorite videos from YouTube at CattleGrower.com - All you need is the web site link of the video from YouTube.

Previously you had to have the actual video file on your computer to post a video. This is still an option for you, but now one of two choices.

In addition, allowed video posts have been increased from Five to Fifty given that YouTube video postings use far less server resources.

When you post a video it will:

1. Show up on the "recent activity feed" on the home page and in your subnetwork
2. Be available to Members and tens of thousands of visitors through the "Videos" link on the top menu bar
3. Be available through your main profile page on your "videos" tab
4. Be available for search engine indexing

Please consider that a growing number of youth are joining CattleGrower.com when making your video, as well as any other posts.

Here are a few videos I thought many might enjoy - each only took about 10 seconds to post:

Should a Steer be Given Free Choice Hay?

Horse Training: Round Pen 101

How Much Should You Feed Your Show Pig?

Never Shake Your Head at an Alpaca

To post your video, either from YouTube or from a video file on your computer, follow these steps:

1. Log in
2. Use the "My Apps" drop down on the main menu bar
3. Select "Video"

To receive instant notice of future Blog posts from me, please use the "subscribe" link below my picture on this page while logged in.

All the Best - Chad

Thank you to those who commented and voted on the proposed classified policy.

In order to keep classifieds current and the directory clutter free, all classifieds will be deleted after 60 days.

Posting classifieds on CattleGrower.com is still free to any Member and you are welcome to re-post any item that might be deleted to give it another 60 days.

We'll begin deleting dated classifieds in a few days, so please take a moment to review any older ones you might have and re-post them if you like.

Note: To ensure you receive updates on Blog posts concerning CattleGrower.com use the "subscribe" link below my picture while logged in.

Perhaps the toughest situation for ranchers in decades is on the horizon.

Overall market conditions are deteriorating.... Livestock prices are dropping.... The value of the dollar is down.... The stock market is shaky.... The Government wants to meddle more in your business.... And several ranchers will be forced into foreclosure.

In an uncertain market, when your income stream may not be gushing as vigorously as usual, it makes a lot of sense to get busy plugging up the profit holes.

Certainly most might expect profit holes to be related to the actual expenses in your ranching operation (more output for less input). But what I'd like to focus on here are a few core opportunities you might not be realizing that may prevent you from succeeding in this tough market:

1. Not Looking for Business.
This is the biggest profit hole in our industry.

We’ve just ridden a long wave of truly amazing market conditions. Business was hot; everybody wanted to sell, or buy, or both, and everybody needed something. Many newer ranchers (3-7 years) never prospected and never learned how to market their services; they simply relied on the seemingly endless high tide of business coming their way. Even more seasoned ranchers were so busy they got out of the habit of marketing and didn't take time to learn the newer, easier and better ways.

Well, the tide has gone out, and who do you suppose is busy now? It’s those consistent prospectors—the ranchers that were going to shows and fairs, sending out mailers, keeping in touch with those they know, networking to create new sources of business, and keeping up with new technology. And as of lately, the numerous Ranchers who have found several new contacts, friends, and potential for future business through by joining CattleGrower.com

Plain and simple - If you want to do more business, you have to find it. It’s not too late to better position yourself for a weakening economy. But if you’re not marketing, you’re giving away your business, and your profit, to someone who is.
 
You must stay in front of prospects or they will not think of you.
Even when people are not buying or selling, you can still offer them a valuable commodity -  information. So get in touch with the people you want as your clients and work to meet new people. Don't be afraid to share your knowledge and experiences... This is your most valuable asset and the number one way to attract others to you.

2. Taking Too Long to Respond to a Changing Market.
The longer you stand there scratching your head and hoping that things will just go back to “normal,” the more time and money you’re losing. You can buy into the media doom and gloom or you can use your head and get back to work.

It's up to you - Retreat in panic, continue with the status quo and expect more of the same, or intelligently change.

CattleGrower.com Members - Certainly feel free to comment with any advice or strategies that have helped you
to succeed in this challenging market below (must be logged in).

Not a Member of CattleGrower.com? We'd love to have you! Simply use the "Sign Up" link to join us.

Sometimes too many options isn't a good thing...

As this network continues to develop we're continually look for ways to provide Members with the best posssible ways to network and communicate without spreading Members time or our resources too thin.

The "Group" feature is very similar to the "Forum" feature. Perhaps in many ways better as it allows for more focused converstaions and much more member control.

Perhaps the biggest hindrance with having both is that it spreads our small Member base out too thin. Secondly, the Forums are a bit slow and cumbersome to use as compared to the rest of the network while taking more than five times the resources to manage.

We all hate change, but it might be much easier now with a choice rather than being forced to later.

For those that are active on the Forums and haven't used the Groups, please take a moment to view these two example to see how Groups might be a better way for you to invest your time and combine more Member talent, resources, and feedback here at CattleGrower.com

Lowline Angus Interest Group
http://www.cattlegrower.com/group/7/

Women on the Ranch
http://www.cattlegrower.com/group/12/

After reviewing how both applications serve basically the same purpose, and knowing that we would certainly allow plenty of time for those posting on Forums to migrate to their own new or existing Groups, please take a moment to vote on my Poll to help decide which direction we go from here.

Use this link to vote and/or provide any feedback:
http://www.cattlegrower.com/CheyenneOutlaw/polls/47/

Thank you!

Note: To receive instant notice on new Blog posts be sure and use the "subscribe" link under my picture while logged in.

1. To Connect with Other Ranchers

Blogging brings like-minded people together. Starting a blog can help you find those people and share your opinions and thoughts. Blogging helps establish acquaintances, which turn in to contacts that develop in to more more business opportunities.

2. To Establish Yourself as an Expert

Blogs are wonderful tools to help ranchers establish themselves as experts in a field or topic. We all have our own strengths and weaknesses.

By sharing things you are knowledgable about you'll attract others seeking that information - Who in turn may be inclined to learn more about you, what you do, and share this information with others. The end result is more people that know more about you and better business opportunities as your reward.

3. To Market or Promote Something

When done correctly, blogging is a powerful tool to help you sell. Without question, the biggest hesitation most have when buying is that they do not know much about who they are buying from. Through blogs this barrier will diminish as others learn more about you and your operation.

4. To Have Fun and be Creative

Many start a blog simply for fun. Perhaps a blogger is a fan of a particular breed of cattle and wants to share that passion. One of the most important keys to successful blogging is having a passion about your blog's topic, so you can write prolifically about it. Some of the best and most interesting blogs started out as blogs that were written just for fun and to give the blogger a creative outlet.

5. Blogs are Search Engine Friendly

By nature, the fresh content in a blog, coupled with being a part of a larger network such as CattleGrower.com, make blogs search engine friendly.

As others search on various topics related to what you have to share, the chances of them finding your post on a larger network such as CattleGrower.com are far greater than any smaller individual web site.

As you continue to actively post over time your content will continue to build, grow, and work for you.

6. Because it is Easy

A Blog is nothing more than a collection of writing such as mine here. Easy enough to do, with many potential rewards over time.

Members: To post on your Blog at CattleGrower.com simply log in and select "Blog" from the "My Apps" icon on the top menu bar.

The latest addition to CattleGrower.com is a "Chat" Application.

This application is a great way to interact with others and develop new and closer connections.

There are two ways to utilize Chat - Both of which you must be logged in to experience;

1. On the bottom right of your screen, you will see those of your connections who are online and you can privately chat with them there.

2. If more than one of your contacts are online and you want to bring the conversation together, each would need to select "Chat" from the "My Apps" drop down on the top menu bar to meet in a larger chat room.

Note: If you don't want to be contacted for chat while online, use the icon on the bottom right of the screen and select "offline".

Please feel free to post any questions, or feedback regarding this application below (must be logged in).

Ever wonder who did the best job of marketing last year?

Well before I tell you, it shouldn’t be a real stretch to come up with it. In fact most of you probably won’t guess who it is, and most of you will not recognize his name, but you will know who hired him.

To start this off, you have to know that the consensus was made by a national group study looking over all the major companies and players in the industry. The individual that is the top marketer did so by making the entire “social marketing” field his own tool.

He built up his marketing presence the same way that you and I can build up our marketing presence online; using "social marketing" tools like CattleGrower.com.

Who Is He?

Our winning marketer’s name is Chris Hughes. Recognize him? I didn’t think so. Maybe you would recognize the company he co-founded . . . Facebook.com. But that is not how he won this award. This marketing savvy actually was built off of the knowledge of Facebook and then used by all the other Web 2.0 tools to rally millions of others.

The quest was a campaign. A particular Presidential Campaign. Okay, now you know. The historic victory of president elect Barak Obama is the largest event of 2008, and perhaps of the century. Mr. Obama ran such a successful campaign because he relied on connecting with people by any means possible. The campaign relied heavily on “social media” outlets to reach out to potential voters, increase their knowledge of Mr. Obama and rally their votes.

Chris Hughes was at the heart of that campaign.

"Social Marketing" Creates "Grass-roots"

Chris took his intimate knowledge of social media to create My.BarackObama.com, The Obama’s campaign's official online social networking website.

They mobilized supporters and organized communities. Registering 1.5 million volunteers through myBarackObama.com and raising $600 million from 3 million people. 

How Can This Affect Your Ranching Operation?

These tools used to elect the nation’s first African-American President can be used to market you as well. Done on the right scale, anything is possible.

You might also re-call that Obama had millions left over after running his successful campaign. Not only is social networking highly effective when done right, but its cheap. For most, all that's really needed is a connection to the Internet, a desire to reach out to others, and a nominal investment of time.

There are not many ranchers involved in this form of networking - But mark my words, it won't be long. While CattleGrower.com is the first professional online social community that brings all types of livestock producers together, many others will be soon to follow.

Get your toe in the water now and become a Charter Member of CattleGrower.com.com if you haven't already. It is a pleasant and non-intimidating community where there is much to learn from others and many ways to create exposure.

If your already a Member here, congratulations! But know that you'll only get from giving. While logged in use the "My Apps" icon on the top menu bar to post a video, create a Blog like this one, add an event, or post a classified.

Most important... reach out to others here and invite your friends to join. As your friends invite their friends to join, and you connect with them, you'll grow your sphere of influence fast.

Over time it will pay off and you and your business will be far better for it.

Members: To receive instant email notice on future Blog posts of mine please use the "subscribe" link underneath my picture.

It's been said that everyone in this world is connected through just six relationships (six degrees of separation).

For example... you know someone, who knows someone, who knows someone, etc., and through just six relationships we all know each other.

The "Friend Explorer" is a powerful application available to you at CattleGrower.com that was built on this idea and will help you to rapidly increase your networking reach, build your sphere of influence, and help you to realize more friendships and business contacts.

The application does several things for you:

1. It will randomly select 20 people, who are friends of your friends, that you might know.From there you can discover more about them, send them a message, or request they add you to their contacts.

It is important to note that the quality of recommendations the program makes is only as good as your initial list of contacts. So, you might want to consider removing people from your contact list who you haven't really connected with first.

To see your friend/contact recommendations, use the drop down on the "My Apps" icon and select "Friend Explorer" (you must be logged in to do this).

2. The Friend Explorer will search your Yahoo, Gmail, Hotmail, AOL, and any email list file you might have to find people you already know here at CattleGrower.com.

After accessing your Friend Explorer using the instructions in #1, simply select the "Find Friends" tab to use this feature.

3. While logged in, when you select the "What's New" icon a few people will be recommended to you that you may know on the bottom right of your screen. Again, these recommendations come from friends/contacts of those you are already connected with.

It is worth repeating that the quality of contact/friend recommendations the system makes for you is only as good as your initial contacts are to begin with and you might want to first consider removing anyone from your contact list who you really haven't connected with.

Not to worry... If you remove someone from your contact list, or deny any friendship/contact requests, the other person does not receive any notice of this. Your simply removed quietly on their end.

Separately, if you haven't had a chance to comment on the Poll about how your best enjoying CattleGrower.com, or if you have but would like to offer new comments, it would be appreciated.

Please feel free to use the comment section on this poll (while logged in) to share any successes you may have realized at CattleGrower.com - Here is the link:

http://www.cattlegrower.com/CheyenneOutlaw/polls/11/

To receive immediate notice of new Blog posts, please use the "subscribe" link below my picture while logged in.

A better way to organize your local riding club, breed association, or most anything where two or more people share a common interest.

Groups at CattleGrower.com are an excellent way to:

• Attract and network with other Members at CattleGrower.com
• Facilitate communication and organization through outside Groups, Associations, etc.
• Encourage your outside contacts to join to keep closer contact with you.

Through the "Group" function, CattleGrower.com Members may create and/or join virtually any type of Group.

Group Creators Can:

• Give their Group Members titles (President, Vice President, Treasurer, etc.).
• Promote Group Members to Officers (this will give them the same Group abilities as the Group Creator).
• Optionally require approval before someone joins their Group.
• Easily invite their Friends/Contacts at CattleGrower.com to join.

Here are a few of the Group option settings that Group creators control:

• Make your Group Public or Private.
• Include or Exclude your Group from search results.
• Allow comments from everyone, all Group Members, or only select Group Members.
• Allow discussions from everyone, all Group Members, or only select Group Members.
• Allow photo posts from everyone, all Group Members, or only select Group Members.

Any CattleGrower.com can create up to Five Groups, with maximimum file size of 5 MB per Group to store photos, etc.

It's easy to create a Group. While logged in use the drop down on the "My Apps" icon on the top menu bar and select "Groups"

Other Informational Blog Posts for Members:

• Using Subnetworks at CattleGrower.com (activity for only your species: bovine, equine, etc.)
• Six Tips to Creating an Effective Blog
• Guiding Priniciples of CattleGrower.com

If you have any questions regarding Groups, please comment on this post below. For other questions, please see my other Blog posts, check the Forum Boards, check the FAQ link at the bottom of any page, or use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of any pages as a last resort.

To receive immediate notice of future updates from my Blog post use the "Subscribe" link below my picture on the top right of this page. You can unsubscribe from this any time you like.

With many types of livestock producers at CattleGrower.com, subnetworks provide you an easy way to see what's happening with just your species.

For example, if you are a Bovine Member you can quickly and easily view only activity and posts from only other Bovine Members.

To participate, you simply need to update your profile so the system will recognize what type of member you are and place you in the correct subnetwork with the new software.

You need only do this once as new Members from this post forward will automatically be placed in the appropriate subnetwork:

1. Hover over the drop down arrow on the "Profile" icon on the top menu bar and select "Edit Profile Information"
2. Make sure you are in the right category
3. Click "Save"

After you've done this, any time you are logged in use the drop down arrow on the "What's New" icon and select "My Network" to view only other Member activity in your subnetwork.

Notes:

• Full Member activity will not show until everyone who originally joined before Jan. 25 goes through the process of re-saving their profile information.
• There is a glitch in the Equine category that may prevent some Members from re-saving their profile. We are working hard to resolve this.
• You can belong to more than one species. For example, Bovine and Equine, but only be logged in at any one time as one or the other by changing your category in your profile settings.

Other Informational Blog Posts for Members:

• Using Groups at CattleGrower.com 
• Six Tips to Creating an Effective Blog
• Guiding Priniciples of CattleGrower.com

If you have any questions regarding Subnetworks, please comment on this post below. For other questions, please see my other Blog posts, check the Forum Boards, check the FAQ link at the bottom of any page, or use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of any pages as a last resort.

To receive immediate notice of future updates from my Blog post use the "Subscribe" link below my picture on the top right of this page. You can unsubscribe from this any time you like.

Having started out with only a handful of friends and associates, it certainly is a thrill to see the CatteGrower.com membership break the 100 Member mark.

For those newer members who may not know me yet, this Community was initiated out of my own frustration with not being able to fully connect with others in the Industry. I had a chance to do something about it this past Summer when my primary business (a real estate trade magazine) decided to launch a similar social network for real estate professionals.

With a budget of $150k for the real estate project, I saw an opportunity to leverage the same efforts and technology towards a passion that is equally important to me - breeding cattle.

So far, I'd say the platform has been quite successful with week over week growth of over 25%. But most importantly with the meaningful connections I've made and what I've already been able to learn from others through the Community.

Sure, not everyone I have invited has joined. In fact, I am quite suprised at some of those I know who haven't. Likely you've experienced the same. This does not discourage me and shouldn't you either. Just focus on the ones that you are able to bring in and reach out for others who join whom you didn't know before.

As the community grows, so too will your connections, knowledge, and as a result, business. I personally have met and established connections with more people in a week through CattleGrower.com than I had previously all year. How about you? This is Networking 101 - As far as the others who are resistant to come along, you know the saying about leading a horse to water.

Inviting your outside contacts in to the Community, while not critical to your success here, is important. When they join they bring firends and you get to connect with them. Sort of like a Pyramid program, but no one loses in the end. The best strategy for these would be to simply show them.

A perfect example would be to share with them your photo album along with a note about how easy it was and the new connections you are making at CattleGrower.com - Just know that an an Early Adopter like you stands the most to gain and Johnny-Come-Lately's usually miss the best part of the pig.

While it isn't a requirement to encourage your contacts to join the Community. As a Member with a vested interest who enjoys the contacts others are working to bring it, it is more of a moral obligation to do the same. I can't personally sit by, especially in my position, and watch others work hard to grow the Community without doing everything I can to reciprocate, despite how well the Community may be growing without my help.

Through a friend of mine, who is in the Cattle Industry, and who also runs a significant email list of Cattle Producers, arrangements have been made for an e-mail to go out on Wednesday to several thousand other producers. This is a small test run, and if it works well we will do more.

At the risk of setting myself up for failure in your eyes I am sharing this with you for a few reasons:

1. Although we only expect, and need a handful of these people to join (25-50), several thousand should be viewing the site.
2. Notice to you seems proper so you can have anything your working on in place for the "visitors" to see.
3. While most will not be interested in joing the Community, some may be interested in your Operation.

Again, while part of the original plan to do these types of things, we are just beginning to test the waters. Whereas I have over a decade's worth of experience marketing to real estate professionals, I only have a few weeks of the same to Livestock Producers.

As such we do not expect to be very successful at first. Hopefully what is important to you is the effort that is being made and knowing that there is firm commitment to the Community you are helping to build.

One last thing to help with motivation for the Community... When you have a moment please visit www.BrokerAgentSocial.com to see what is possible here. This Community is the one I spoke of earlier and it just launched a week ago Saturday.

Not just me, but the same people and resources behind BrokerAgentSocial.com are behind our Community here. Even so, as a Charter Member we won't be able to do it without you.

Many more things are lined up for this community: Groups, Video, Articles, etc. but we need to get the numbers up a bit first. Here are a few things you can do to contribute:

1. Invite, (But Don't Hound) Your Contacts to Join. Remember, their contacts can eventually be yours. Plus it is the best way to reciprocate the efforts others are making.

2. Get Active! Simple, but meaningful things go along way.. Like voting on a Poll AND leaving a comment. here is one I would really like to hear from you on http://www.cattlegrower.com/CheyenneOutlaw/polls/11/

3. Explore Other's Profiles. Especially new members. A simple hello, and welcome to the community goes a long ways - Besides, you never know where it might lead. Again, Networking 101

4. Start a Blog, Put up Pictures of Your Show String, etc., etc. Remember that this network is indexed by the search engines. Because of its relatively large size, as compared to most sites, You have a better chance of being indexed here than on your own web site.

4. Stay Informed about What's Happening in the Community. Probably the best way to do this right now is to subscribe to my Blog so you receive notice when something new is posted here. If you'd like to do so, simply use the link underneath my picture above and to the right.

Looking forward to more continued growth and success with you. And certainly, feel free to leave a comment below with any thoughts or ideas you may have.

Blogs are a powerful way to share your thoughts with others, grow your network and increase your market presence.

Unlike email, static web postings, or other forms of one-way communication - Blogging on CattleGrower.com will allow you to open up a chain of dialogue for other members to comment on and review.

Before you post on your Blog, below are six principles that may help you get more views, readers and comments.

1. Put Some Thought and Effort Into Your Posts. There are many things you can write about: your operation, events, personal experiences, other members, merkets, etc. If you invest a small amount of time thinking about your post and your readers, their perceptions and what you are trying to get across, the better your posts will be. Always remember that your post will be there for all the world to see unless you deside to delete it.

2. A Great Title for Your Post: Coming up with a good title is often times over-looked and under-estimated. Put some time into creating a title that grabs the readers attention, but is also on course with your subject. If readers like your title, they will be more inclined to open it.

3. Pleasing to the Eye: Your post needs to be on point, not much longer than 1,000 words, pleasing to the eye and easy to read. Rule of Thumb: Try not to have more than 3-5 lines of text before you have a paragraph break..

4. No One-Liners: It's unlikely that you'll get any value from your posts that are only 25 words or less.  You need to be able to engage your readers without teasing them in a short post, or boring them with a long one. Readers can tell a lot about you by your posts. Your intelligence, your intentions, and your personality.  Also don't forget to preview your post and double check for typos.

5. Quality Content: This is essential in creating a good post, and more importantly, creating comments and returning viewers. Your content must look, feel, and flow smoothly, but also take your readers to a final ultimatum.  They'll either just read it, or read it and comment. Ultimately, you want them to also subscribe to your Blog and add you as a contact.

6. Use Links, Bullets, Numbered Llists, Graphics and Font Syling Where Appropriate: All of these features are available through CattleGrowr.com and should be used to carefully enhance the view and attractability to your post.. be careful not to over do it and remember to keep graphics proportionate to your text and content.  Using relevant links to other posts, events, etc. within or outside of CattleGrower.com will increase your "Exchange in Value" on your post when done correctly and in moderation.

- To understand the guiding principles behind CattleGrower.com please see Guiding Principles for CattleGrower.com
- To start using CattleGrower.com today please see 3 Easy Steps to Start Using CattleGrower.com

Special Note: The CattleGrower.com network is extremely dynamic and robust. If you should find additional needs such as new category or profile fields to better represent you and your discusions anywhere throughout the network please comment on this blog below.

1. Sign-up and create your profile.

Initial Sign Up: During the sign up process you are asked a few select questions that are important to the network to identify you. Only primary profile questions important to the network are required. All other fields are optional and at your discretion. In no event will any of your contact information be shared with any third party for any reason.

Your User Name: When creating your user name be mindful that this will compose part of a direct link to you at CattleGrower.com For example, with a user name of CheyenneOutlaw your inque link to your profile will be www.CattleGrower.com/CheyenneOutlaw.com

Your Photo: During your sign up you will have the option to upload a photo as part of your profile. First impressions are important as you will be immediately featured within the network as a new member. if at all possible be sure to upload a picture of yourself, your brand, your prize bull, or something else professional and unique to you.

Additional Profile Fields: After you sign up be sure and re-visit your profile field by using the "Profile" tab in the top menu bar. Here you can ensure all your original entries are correct and have the opportunity to share more about yourself.

2. Explore CattleGrower.com.

No Experience Required: With just a few clicks around the site you will quickly be up to speed with the various features and elements of the network.

Basic and Easy to Use: You will find there are only a few areas and tools within the platform (modules). This initial design was intentional to keep the network easy to understand and non-intimidating for its members to use during its infancy stages.

Several more modules are already built in to the platform and will be turned on as the network evolves. You will be notified when any new feature is available and given proper instructions on how to use them.

3. Start Earning Points.

CattleGrower.com has a unique point reward system. Points are awarded based on most any activity you perform within the network. More points are awarded for major activities such as referring friends, posting events, etc. 

Points will allow you to gain status within the network, "purchase" promotion for your blogs, events and other listings. You will also be able to redeem points for various promotions.

To learn more about points click the "My Aps" tab in the menu bar after you sign up.

Status: Your point accumulation and activity within the network will also determine your "status" within the network: Yearling, Junior, Senior, Champion, Grand Champion and National Champion. Immediately after completing your profile you wil be classified as a "Junior".

We're happy to have you consider CattleGrower.com and hope to welcome you as its newest member.

- To understand the guiding principles behind CattleGrower.com please see Guiding Principles for CattleGrower.com
- To learn the benefits of blogging on CattleGrower.com please see: 6 Tips to Create an Effective Blog on CattleGrower.com

1. The CattleGrower.com community rests entirely with its members. We admire the spirit of livestock producers and believe our goal is to fully engage their talents and knowledge for the benefit of all members of the cattle industry community.

2. We believe the divide is increasing between traditional and forward thinking Livestock Producers. CattlGrower.com is dedicated to shrinking this divide by facilitating a knowledge base of its members for the benfit of all where even the most experienced in their field will stand to learn and gain by sharing with others.

3. We believe sound livestock management processes are a positive force for social good. CattleGrower.com is committed to empowering Livestock Producers to become as efficient and profitable as possible while serving the ultimate end user (consumers) in superior fashion.

4. We welcome the active participation of all Livestock Producers, irrespective of their operational size or affiliation with industry groups or trade associations. CattleGrower.com believes a vibrant and diverse livestock community is essential to maintaining a strong organization.

5. We believe the constructive dialogue at CattleGrower.com will foster transparency among Livestock Producers about the industry. CattleGrower.com will strive to play a key role in demonstrating the integrity and professionalism of those engaged in our industry.

6. CattleGrower.com prides itself on editorial independence. We believe that an open, free exchange of ideas is our primary reason for being. We are not captive of any point of view or agenda – other than to advance the interests of of Livestock Producers.

7. CattleGrower.com encourages dissenting or contrarian points of view because our industry is better served by continually examining the status quo. Challenging conventional wisdom is often essential for the evolution of our industry and the development of new opportunities.

8. CattleGrower.com believes in spirited discourse, but personal attacks or predatory behavior will not be tolerated. Respect and civility are the shared values that unite all of us.

9. We do not stand on ceremony or hierarchy. CattleGrower.com is a two-way street. We believe that a continual conversation with our community is critical to our continued growth and vitality. We are fully committed to incorporating member feedback and ideas to improve CattleGrower.com. 

10. We believe it is in the best interests of Livestock Producers to build a community that is focused on educating one another. CattleGrower.com believes its future depends on members of all experience levels openly sharing their experiences and best practices with others in the field.  This communal dialogue offers a unique opportunity for professional growth and is the way to share in the dynamism and excitement that constitutes the modern cattle industry.

- To start using CattleGrower.com today please see 3 Easy Steps to Start Using CattleGrower.com
- To learn the benefits of blogging on CattleGrower.com please see: 6 Tips to Create an Effective Blog on CattleGrower.com