This morning I drove over to Bismarck and wandered around a farm show sponsored by one of the local radio stations. I came away with one impression: the business of agriculture is nothing like I remember. The only reference to livestock on the schedule dealt with "starting a young horse under the saddle" and "equine dental care." Who but a hobby rancher would be interested in these topics? Most of the serious ranchers I know don't even own saddle horses let along work cattle with them. I'd guess the four-wheel ATV interests most of the active ranchers. Financial institutions and leeching insurance agencies abound of the list of exhibitors along with high-tech gadget salesmen. If there are any small farmers left, they wouldn't find much to fit their needs here.
The first agriculture show I attended as a young boy was the Valley City Winter Show. Now, that was a good show that lasted about ten days. Cattle, sheep, hogs, machinery, rodeos, entertainment, numerous display booths, etc. seemed more fun than any carnival midway. Hard times came to that show with the loss of small family farms, and their schedule runs only about half the length as it did previously. Big cattle show can be found still, but I presume it's the high-rollers that everything there caters to. I once attended a rodeo at the Denver Stock Show and remember large crowds roaming around and engaging in serious ag-related discussions in those exhibit areas. Large crowds might still attend, but I'll wager they come for the entertainment. I don't think there's any wisdom in the following statement, but I'll make it anyway: if things never changed, they'd stay the same. Adios.
