Sooper Pooper

I love it when I get news releases with subject lines that make me laugh. The most recent was one from NDSU Extension, talking about a Super Pooper Scooper school.

I mean, seriously, even though I'm not a livestock producer, I would consider going just because of the title of the school. Actually, the agenda sounds pretty good. The school will cover a lot of hot livestock management topics. So, if you are a livestock producer, I'd encourage you to take one of the three in.

I just wish I would have thought of the name first, because I'd like to have my own Sooper Pooper Scooper school at my house. Maybe then I could instill in my children the importance of "nutrient management" in our backyard.

When it comes to the scooping, I'm about the only one who has the stomach to pick up the dog droppings in the backyard. I was out there this weekend after the frosty weather, and got most of it cleaned up, because as you know frozen poo is easier to pick up than the squishy stuff, as long as it isn't frozen to the ground.

Even though we have the equivalent of two football fields for the Springer to do his business, he chooses the spot right next to the patio. Sometimes, he even gets it ON the patio. And because it's all concentrated in a small area, it makes for relatively easy clean up. But when it's all in one place, it looks like every dog in the neighborhood has been taking bathroom breaks in our yard. I'm thinking of calling it our Springer "nutrient containment pond."

So even though I may not be in attendance at a Super Pooper Scooper school, know that when it comes to animal waste management, I'm seriously with all you livestock producers in spirit!

Dawn