By  E. W. Lang

Block cheese ended the week at $1.71 per lb., down eight cents.  Barrels closed up nine at $1.60, and butter ended the week at $1.72 per lb., a loss of seven cents in as many days.  Class III Milk Futures average for September, October and November is $16.92 per cwt., a gain of two cents. 

I'm writing this post for OCaM shortly after meeting with the undertaker following my father's death at age 95, earlier tonight.  This OCam and his obituary will both be on Monday's Dairy Agenda Today. 

It is somewhat apropos that he died on show day at National Dairy Cattle Congress.  He knew I took a couple heifers there to show but was no longer coherent when I returned.  Cattle Congress in Waterloo, Iowa, was for many years the National Show for all six breeds of dairy cattle, as Red and White Holsteins, at the time, didn't have their own show.  He, his father and brothers showed Ayrshires there for many years, and he got to know many of the big names of the day.  A few from that era have children or grand children who will be showing this week at World Dairy Expo.  

One of my livestock friends said, "Your father accomplished what few old people accomplish, in that he didn't have to go to a nursing home."  And that was true.  He started to fail on a Sunday, rallied enough a couple days later to mow lawn, then failed some more. 

It was then I asked God to call Dad home soon, and my prayer was answered. 

It's funny what we hope for in life and ask for in death.  And how we can be thankful for both.