First of all Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Well it is almost 2010!  During this time, it is a common occurrence to look back at the year and admire its joys, tears, sorrows, excitement, challenges and opportunities.  As you celebrate the New Year with your family and friends, take an opportunity to look back on your involvement in the cattle industry during 2009.  Look at each negative as an opportunity to improve your self in 2010.  Capture what you did right in 2009 and building on that foundation for 2010.  Charles Dickens wrote “Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has many -- not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.”

So enough about the past, let’s look at 2010!  I am an eternal optimist.  I truly believe our best days are before us.  As I look into the future for the cattle industry for 2010 I am filled with optimism.  There is a world of opportunity out there, let’s go get it.  My girls (cows) work hard everyday to do their part in feeding the world; that fact hasn’t changed.   I am sure there will be challenges in 2010 but nothing we can’t over come.  Albert Einstein said once “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity”.  We are going to have a lot of opportunities in 2010, the question is “will you be ready”?

With that, I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas.  I hope the joy of the season reaches everyone and you make many happy memories to cherish.  Happy New Year!  May God’s blessings be upon you, your family and your cattle in 2010!