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About The Baker County press. (Baker City, Ore.) 2014-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 9, 2015)
THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS — 3 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015 Business & Ag Wisdom House opens its doors on First Friday BY SUNNY WERNER Sunny@TheBakerCountyPress.com After traveling to Eastern Oregon via the Oregon Trail, John Wisdom built one of the first houses in Baker—its special claim to fame at the time was that it was the first house in Baker to have an indoor toilet. The Wisdom House, as it is known, was built in 1878. On Friday, October 2, 2015, Veronica Johnson watched as her dreams came true. After six months of working, planning, renovating and dreaming, Wisdom House was finally being shown to the public. Dozens of visitors explored the home, com- menting on the beauty of the architecture, the decor, and the history. Upstairs are two beauti- fully appointed bedrooms, each of which has a door leading out to the second story wrap-around balcony. There is also a cozy sitting room, where guest may watch TV or Netflix, play movies, or just sit and visit. The large upstairs bathroom is charming, with a lovely chandelier, claw foot tub, and an antique dresser repurposed to hold a quaint bathroom basin. Downstairs is the large living room, with high ceilings and large windows. The windows’ architrave, while not the original pieces, were specially made to duplicate the original. Hanging in pride of place is the mirror John Wisdom originally had hung in the house, which Wisdom had brought with him on his journey along the Oregon Trail. Veronica had searched for months, tracking its assorted owners, before it “From 1970 to 2005, we quit focusing on the show-ring but focused on generating quality cattle for serious cattlemen,” said Duane. “We focused on ge- netics and feed-efficiency. Now that the industry has a good idea of feed ef- ficiency we are back in the show-ring.” Duane, his father George, and brother-in-law Cliff Hall, have produced one of the most feed-efficient breeds in the history of the industry. “Ultra-efficient,” in the words of Duane. The industry average in terms of feed-efficiency as measured by weight-gain shows an intake of seven to eight pounds of dry feed per pound of weight gain in cattle. The Chandlers produce cattle that far eclipse that the industry average with an average feed-efficiency that sees a weight gain of four pounds for every (approximately) six pounds of dry feed, according to Duane. Since entering back into Friday, October 2, 2015 — Eastern Oregon Prices trended generally steady compared to week ago prices. Export sales continue to be slow. Re- tail/Stable demand for all types of hay from Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson, Wasco counties continues to be good. Many producers have decided to hold on to their hay for now, in hopes for higher prices. Some producers are having their water rights cut off due to the drought. Tons Price Range Wtd Avg Alfalfa — Large Square, Good 200 250.00-250.00 250.00 Alfalfa / Orchard Mix — Small Square, Good 10 90.00-90.00 90.00 Meadow Grass — Small Square, Good 34 175.00-180.00 179.41 USDA Market News Service—AMS.USDA.gov — Cattle Market Report — Wednesday, September 30, 2015 Vale, Oregon Cattle sold through the auction: 954 Steer Calves 300-400# Bulk 221.00 - 253.00 Top 259.00 400-500# Bulk 186.00 - 226.00 Top 227.50 500-600# Bulk 178.00 - 198.00 Top 201.00 Kailyn McQuisten / The Baker County Press Wisdom House on the corner of Broadway and Second held an open house last Friday in conjunction with First Friday. was finally discovered in Nevada City. The sitting room leads to another beautifully ap- pointed room, the formal dining room. From there is the kitchen, which includes a breakfast area. Helping Johnson realize her dreams were her fam- ily and friends. Stephanie Tweit, of I So Do Events, provided tours of the home, and M. Lynnie Johnson, children’s author and illustrator, and family consultant, displayed her artwork and books in the dining room. Patty Hartley (Ve- ronica’s sister) and Susan Strand were providing the catering and serving for the open house. Hartley said they had enjoyed a wonderful “sisters week- end” at the house, prior to the open house. Veronica Johnson ex- plained some of her plans for the house and property. “I want to have it used for all kinds of events,” she said. “Weddings in the garden, once the landscap- ing is complete, movie nights where we can set up a big screen and show old movies, corporate events and retreats, anniversary celebrations, parties—all with the help of Stephanie (Tweit) who is a very ex- perienced event planner.” Johnson went on to say that she was considering hiring a local chef and sell- ing tickets to occasional elegant meals. “When we first moved here, we were disappointed to find nobody dressed up for special occasions, so I’m thinking elegant din- ners might give people the chance to wear something special that they don’t often get to wear,” she explained. Although there are many events that will be planned for the house, it will also be available as a rental for individuals. An opportunity for local people to put guests up in a stately old home rather than overfill bedrooms, a getaway for couples want- ing a relaxing retreat while they explore the surround- ing areas, another option for businesses who have corporate guests. The reopening of the Wisdom House marks an- other historic home that’s been standing empty for years, now brought back into sound economic use. Chandler Herefords inducted in national Hereford Hall of Fame CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 — Weekly Hay Report — the show-ring, the Chan- dler Herefords has begun to rack up more honors. In 2015, Chandler Her- efords were awarded Best of Show at the California and Washington state fairs, and in 2014 earned several division championships along with the Western Nationals at the Reno Nug- get Show. Chandler Herefords remains on the cutting edge of the cattle industry by constantly evolving and using modern technology to continue to improve the herd. While in college in the 1990s, Duane devel- oped a statistical program they still use today. The program, called Expected Progeny Differences, records traits of offspring and suggests blending traits to produce the high- est quality, most consistent herd. Duane has also cre- ated a strong presence for Chandler Herefords on the internet, posting more than 70 videos boasting 5.5 million views on Youtube. The Chandler Herefords Youtube channel has more than 1,200 subscribers, ac- Heifer Calves 300-400# Bulk 189.00 - 226.00 Top 229.00 400-500# Bulk 167.00 - 188.00 Top 195.00 500-600# Bulk 158.00 - 179.00 Top 183.00 Yearling Steers 600-700# Bulk 162.00 - 185.00 Top 186.00 700-800# Bulk 146.00 - 169.00 Top 172.00 800-900# Bulk 139.00 - 158.00 Top 159.00 900-1,000# Bulk 141.00 - 154.00 Top 155.50 600-700# 700-800# 800-900# 900-1,000# Yearling Heifers Bulk 151.00 - 165.00 Top 168.50 Bulk 144.00 - 153.00 Top 156.00 Bulk 139.00 - 157.00 Top 159.00 Bulk 132.00 - 144.00 Top 151.00 Thin Shelly Cows 64.00 - 85.00 Butcher Cows 89.00 - 99.00 Butcher Bulls 84.00 - 104.00 Stock Cows Yng. N/A Younger Hfrts. 106.00 - 126.00 Stock Cows - N/A ProducersLivestock.com 541-473-3136 — Log Price Report — Price per 1,000 board feet: Northeast Oregon Doug Fir is $415.00/mbf White fir is $365.00/mbf Ponderosa Pine is brought sold on diameter splits 6 to 11 inch dib $300 to $310/MBF 12 to 17 inch dib $350 to $375/MBF 18 to 23 inch dib $400 to $430/MBF 24 inch plus dib $450 to $500/MBF DIB is diameter inside bark at small end of log. MBF is thousand board feet lumber, net scale. People interested in selling logs should call and get specific quotes from saw mills. Courtesy of Arvid Andersen, Andersen Forestry Consulting — Precious Metals Report — Submitted Photo. This prize-winning Hereford female is yet another example of Chandler Herefords quality. cording to Duane. same sensibilities as his “In 2007, there were Grandfather Charles some Oklahoma residents Chandler II, who turned 96 interested in buying our this year, when it comes cows. From that we began to producing high-quality an internet Hereford sale. and consistent Hereford We became one of the cattle herds but this sixth first to have Herefords on generation rancher has internet sales. The idea was brought the 21st Century to bring the ranch to the into his family’s business. people,” he said. This ability to adapt and “I feel blessed because of the constant grasp for my ancestors. The family improvement may be the has always had the same main reason behind the eye for cattle and that has success and longevity of, created a uniform and con- Chandler Herefords, the sistent cowherd,” Duane oldest business in Baker said. County. Duane may share the Price per ounce, USD Gold: $1146.80 Silver: $15.95 Platinum: $934.00 Palladium: $704.70 Bloomberg.com — Ag Commodities — Corn: $397.75/bu/USD Wheat: $524.25/bu/USD Soybeans: $889.25/bu/USD Oats: $219.00 bu/USD Rough Rice: $13.37/cwt/USD Canola: $476.70 CAD/mwt Live Cattle: $133.23/lb./USD Feeder Cattle: $178.03/lb./USD Lean Hogs: $66.65//lb./USD Bloomberg.com
