The Cows Don’t Know It’s Christmas

by Steve Cherry, Denison, Texas

Today’s the day we celebrate
Our Savior’s birth; a special date.
We’ll go to church, but we’ll be late,
‘Cause the cows don’t know it’s Christmas.

It’s cold outside and frosty, too.
I’ve got some Christmas things to do,
But I can’t stop; I hear ‘em moo.
The cows don’t know it’s Christmas.

The kids are anxious, dancin’ round;
They want to get their stockings down.
I’d like to help; I see them frown.
But the cows don’t know it’s Christmas.

The rooster’s up; I heard him crow.
The geese are walking in a row.
I’d like to stay in bed, but no…
The cows don’t know it’s Christmas.

The baby lambs, they’re layin’ down.
“Too cold for us,” they seem to frown.
My baby girl’s still in her gown.
But the cows don’t know it’s Christmas.

I’ve got to go down to the barn.
To all the world it’s a special morn,
But each day’s the same here at the farm,
‘Cause the cows don’t know it’s Christmas.

I’ll bust the bales and drop them down
(All’s left are th’ square…done fed the round).
And soon enough, we’ll go to town,
But the cows don’t know it’s Christmas.

You gotta wonder ’bout it all;
So long ago, in that manger stall,
When they heard the Baby Jesus bawl,
And the cows did know… it’s Christmas!

Merry Christmas from the Iowa State Dairy Association! We wish you a blessed 2010!

Iowa State Animal Science Professor Earns USDA Excellence in Teaching Award

An Iowa State University professor of animal science has been awarded the annual USDA Food and Agricultural Sciences Excellence in Teaching Award. Douglas Kenealy is one of two people to receive the national award, which encompasses all the food and agricultural disciplines.

“I believe that you can push students, whether first-year or upper-class, if you consistently remind them of where they will use the building blocks of their education and how it will enhance future success in the classroom or in their career,” Kenealy said. An Iowa State alum, Kenealy joined the animal science faculty in 1975 and established a record as an exceptional teacher, adviser and a leader in curriculum development in animal science. Throughout his career he has taught or advised more than 13,000 students.

Kenealy received the award on Nov. 11 in Washington, D.C. The award is based on teaching quality, philosophy and methodology; service to the profession and students; and professional growth and development. It requires endorsements by an administrator, colleague and alumnus.

In addition to his significant undergraduate teaching load and graduate advising, Kenealy assists with job placement activities for animal science and dairy science. During his tenure, annual placement rate has never fallen below 90 percent and for the past five years, placement for undergraduates has averaged 97 percent.