After a nice Sunday sleep in, the week was off again! Monday started with the usual full-on class schedule and meeting more people - my name retention is starting to wear a little thin! Classes were much the same as the previous week, with new information coming from all angles. Following the intensity of class, I was excited to leave the classroom to track down and purchase some of K-State's own cheese, steak and milk, all produced and processed on campus. That's a story I'm more than happy to support after class!
Early in the week I also started my Beef Quality Assurance online certificate, a program designed to show commitment to producing a safe, healthy and wholesome beef supply and increase consumer confidence in the beef industry. Although this is not a requirement, I couldn't go past completing the BQA certification along with the other students.
Wednesday proved another great day of class and experiences. Livestock and Meat Evaluation (LME) didn't disappoint, as much like previous weeks we viewed feedlot cattle ready for slaughter in the arena, before working in groups to determine what we guessed to be the yield, quality, grading and subsequent price of those animals. These cattle will be viewed in the chillers on Monday in the university abattoir adjacent to our classroom - I'm certainly looking forward to that!
Later Wednesday afternoon, Dr Corah gave me the invitation to attend a seminar held as part of another university subject. This weekly seminar involves a variety of acclaimed speakers discussing topics of importance in the beef industry. Dr Ken Odde was the guest speaker on this particular afternoon, and gave an interesting presentation on the importance, influence and future of 'data science' in general, and in the beef industry. Dr Odde touched on the value of collecting such data and how those in the beef industry are beginning to search for more and more information on, for example, weaner cattle sales. Despite the importance of data, Dr Odde did suggest that the collection of relevant data must be maintained to avoid the collection of excessive, useless data which would only prove to complicate the matter.
Thursday was another fun morning which was spent in the Animal Reproduction practical class where students were given a cattle skull and playdough to recreate the different areas of the brain. Although there was only one real sheep brain to look at, playdough was close enough to help learn!
Friday had an air of excitement with the college rodeo being held over the weekend. Although several inches of snow had and continued to fall, it didn't stop us getting ready for a fun night. The number of horses, cattle and people involved was amazing, and I think we all enjoyed watching the horsemanship the most. It was a great introduction to the college rodeo scene, with events ranging from team roping, bronc riding, bull riding, barrel racing and goat tying. Having this rodeo in Weber arena (the building where majority of my classes are held), gave it a great atmosphere and allowed the crowd to get as close to the action as you'd probably want to get.
Saturday came around and although the day was somewhat uneventful, the action happened that night! Myself and a few other girls headed into town for some food and drinks prior to a country music concert, held at 'The Hat' bar. The Hat hosts country music singers and bands almost every weekend, with artists ranging from relatively well-known to startups. After gathering our group together to ensure we were right on the front barrier, we proceeded to dance the next few hours away. What a fun night and a nice introduction to Aggieville, the strip of bars and restaurants claimed by the college students. Until next week!
