Now it its 11 year, Ag Day a big hit with students

IRVINE FLATS - After it was all said and done, Polson, Ronan and Pablo fourth graders learned just what it takes to be an ol' cowhand.

During Ag Day and a tour of Walt Vermedahl Ranch, students learned the ins and outs of agriculture including, shearing, milking, branding and all the duties that that go along with ranch-life.

Ag Day was initiated by Western Montana Stockman's Association to educate valley students on all aspects of agriculture with an emphasis on ranching. This is the program's 11th year. (This reporter recalls taking the tour 11 years ago as a student and being very intimidated by the rigors of ranching, influencing him to pursue a cushy career in journalism.)

Inside the ranch's main stable, students were divided into groups and took turns rotating through eight stations, with each station presenting a certain farm-related subject.

At station six, County Agent Jack Stivers briefed the students on the process of milking. Stivers showed students a milking machine, which is hooked up to a cow's utter twice a day.

Once attached, the unit vacuums the milk out and sends it to a large metal container where the milk is stored and kept cool. From there, the milk goes to a bottling plant in either Kalispell or Bozeman.

Stivers explained that the machine doesn't suck milk out of the cow's utter.

"That would hurt the cow," said Stivers, "and we don't want to do that."

Instead, the machine pulsates, gently extracting milk, simulating a baby calf feeding from its mother. Stivers had the students put their thumbs into the milking units so they could experience how pain-free it was.

"It felt suction-cuppy," said Pablo Elementary student Colby Roberts.

At another station, Susan Gardner and Judy Colvin demonstrated their yarn spinning techniques. Colvin transformed the wool into long, continuous threads while Gardner presented some new vocabulary to the students.

To "card" wool means to remove the curls and clumps, separating it into thin strands of hair. After that, you "ply" the wool, putting pieces together to form a long strand, then you can send it through the spinner where it's twisted into yarn.

"The reason why (wool) sticks together is because if you ever look at it under a microscope, you'd notice the hair has scales," Colvin explained.

Colvin encouraged the students to learn how to knit because it could help them with math.

"And it's not just a girl thing," she added.

Fun fact; Shetland wool comes in 11 different shades.

"Where does bacon come from?" asked Kal Fogal of the Montana Department of Livestock Meat Inspection.

After several guesses, students were surprised to learn that bacon comes from a pig's belly.

Fogal explained that his job is to make sure ranchers produce a healthy meat product. He also analyzes fat content of meats to hold grocers accountable.

"This package of ground beef says that it is 16 percent fat," said Fogal pointing to the nutritional fact sheet on a package of beef. Fogal demonstrated how to test the beef using a machine that dissolves the meat into a liquid protein where the fat bubbles to the top of small cylinder. Results showed that the beef was 14 percent fat.

"It can be under, but it can't be over," Fogal said. The beef passed the test and a grocer avoided a lawsuit.

Interesting fact; Only 400 to 500 lbs of meat can be used for consumption after a 1,000-pound cow is processed.

Outside the smell of burning cow hair permeated air as students witnessed young calves get roped, wrestled and branded with the Vermedahl Ranch insignia.

"That's sad," said one girl, turning her head away.

Sad, but necessary, explained Vermedahl who, with his rugged appearance, looks like he hopped off the cover of a Zane Grey paperback into real life.

"It allows us to keep track of our cattle and it keeps them safe," he said.

Vermedahl showed student the ropes, literally, when he demonstrated how to lasso a cow. Contrary to popular belief, a lasso isn't usually thrown over the neck of a cow, but instead is tossed right near its feet. Once the calf steps its feet into the hoop, the rope is pulled quickly, both tripping and tying the calf's feet together, Vermedahl explained.

Of the exhibits, the hayride was the favorite for most students, with an exception of Polson student Eryn McGinnis.

"My favorite one was the meat one. I like beef," McGinnis said.

Third and fourth grade Polson teacher Ms. Jo Fincher said the hayride reminded her why she lives here.

With one lap around the ranch, students and teachers got a scenic view of the valley's impression landscape.

"The view is just amazing," she said. "It's like a movie everywhere you look."

During a hayride, [insert name here], who acted as a tour guide, told the students that this was how students got to school before there were buses.

"Is that how you got to school, Ms. Robertson?" asked Pablo student Earl Robinson.

"I'm not that old!" Eileen Robertson, Pablo Elementary consoler, responded with a laugh.