Q-Tips

This little guy is always looking to make a new mess. The q-tip box seems to be one of his favorites. What a joy he his!

4th of July

4^th of July Weekend

Saturday we moved cattle from here at the ranch out to the Mabey Ranch, which is about 10 miles North as the crow flies. Our help consisted of Dirk, Jeslyn and I. It had to of been the hottest day of the year…it was scorching and miserable! The cows had never been there before and weren’t too happy to be going. To make matters worse we had 3XM (a bull) with the herd for clean up and every chance he got he was trying to turn the herd around. I am not proud to say this but many tears and cuss words later we finally pushed them through the gate. Although we weren’t finished yet, the water trough was still another couple miles North on the other end of the pasture…Ugh! We decided to take a little break and loaded the horses in the trailer and headed for home hoping everything would pair up and settle down some before another drive. I so badly needed to get to my baby, I was full and was in desperate need of some relief. Dirks mom kindly tended for us. She even had a delicious lunch ready for us when we got there. She is a good lady. We went back out early evening and of course they aren’t right there waiting for us instead they were in the very southeast corner pushing on the fence. We gathered them up and headed them out…we finally did make it. It wasn’t a great day all in all but a lot of lessons were learned that day. I tend to want to forget about all the rough times in my life but this day in particular I need to remember…remember how not to be and how not to treat the people I love.

A bend in the road is not the end of the road... unless you fail to make the turn. ~Author Unknown

Sunday, we ventured on up to Victor to spend the next couple of days. We had intended on spending the entire weekend up there, but with no lodging available in the valley and the cattle drive we opted for an overnighter instead. We stopped in Swan Valley on the way and rented a nice little cabin to stay in that night. We made good time and the drive up is always a beautiful one. Our first stop was Clyde’s to deliver a bull and to drop the trailer so we weren’t dragging it around everywhere we went. This is where I start to document with pictures although they are few and not the greatest. I will need to do better next time. Clay had his first pony ride on Snowball.

We then met up with Brooks, Sara and their boys for a weenie roast and to let off fireworks.

Cute little Clay and Wes, they are 4 months apart. I hope they become the best of friends.

Brothers…hanging out and enjoying the company!

The next day we met up with Dirk’s cousin Katherine for the annual parade. It was your typical small town parade, with my favorite float being “Mater”. After the parade we went to the park but it was so crowded with people that we didn’t stay long.

I LOVE the 4th of July, it is absolutely one of my favorite holidays!

I love small town parades and how people park their cars and put out chairs days in advance!

I love the park, and all the amazing food!!

I love spending the afternoon relaxing while the kids play.

I love the BBQ’s

I love sparklers

And I LOVE an amazing firework show!!! (maybe we can watch one next year)

I am grateful for all of our freedoms that we enjoy each and everyday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!!

The Purple People Eaters

Girl’s softball started off the summer. Jeslyn played on the 3^rd – 4^th grade team out of Grace. The silly girls called themselves The Purple People Eaters. Jeslyn has only ever played T-ball, and then 1 year of coach pitch. This league the other team pitched to you…and some of the pitchers were amazingly good. They started the season out rough and after a few games and some long practices they began to improve. Jeslyn was a good little player, willing to play anywhere and she actually hit quite well when she would get a hold of it. I love softball so it is fun to have one of your kids interested in it. I hope she continues to play year after year.

For record keeping purposes, Dirk and I played on a co-ed softball team for Agrium. It was fun, a little different than the coed league I had played on in the past. We started out the season strong with 2 wins and then we lost every game but 1…because they forfeited! We came into the tournament I think last, or second to last and were able to place 3^rd. So we improved. It was fun doing something together as a couple…I love my hubby and don’t get to be with him enough. I look forward to playing again…maybe on our own team!

AI

AI – Artificial Insemination is also an annual event that takes place every spring. Only this is a task that 100% relies upon Dirk, his know how and his schedule. (Note to self: learn how to AI, so I can be of more help) We actually help out where we can, but wish we could ease the burden just a little.

AI allows for an enormous range of options in the bulls that you use. Bulls are listed in catalogs/directories and their pedigrees and EPD’s are provided to help with the selection. EPD’s – Expected Progeny Differences are used to estimate how future progeny of an animal will compare to progeny of other animals within the breed.

Jes on Bollow, ready to gather in the herd.

Dirk's right hand help!

To facilitate AI-ing, proper working facilites are a must, it eases stress and helps to prevent injury of all involved. This year we weren’t able to get the Genex portable breeding barn so we opted for a single Select Sire barn instead. So we made a mad dash to Corinne to pick it up.

Heat Detection is the most limiting factor of an AI program. The cow or heifer must be seen in standing heat or active Estrus, this is indicated by an altered behavior. Standing heat occurs every 18-24 days, and lasts for 10-14 hours. Timing is imperative when AI-ing a cow, to achieve the highest rate of conception, a cow seen standing in the AM will be AI-ed in the PM, and if seen in the PM will be AI-ed in the AM. This is done because the cow ovulates after standing heat. This year we opted to synchronize the herd which is a manipulation of the reproductive process which offers benefits. It reduces the need to detect active estrus and allows Dirk to schedule breeding activities in a predetermined period. It should also shorten the breeding and calving season. I am certain there are more benefits but my knowledge is somewhat limited. I am however learning.

Next is the “semen process”. Semen is stored in a plastic straw and straws are stored inside of a cane. Canes are suspended in a canister which is inside a liquid nitrogen tank. The liquid nitrogen keeps the temperature of the semen at -320F. When preparing the semen for AI-ing a cow, the canister is lifted to the neck of the tank the selected cane is lifted and a straw is removed within seconds from the cane and deposited into a warm water bath that is 90-98 degrees, and left for 45 – 60 seconds. It is then fitted into a sheath; the sheath is then fitted into an insemination rod. Usually the rod is tucked into Dirks clothing for transport to the cow. Insemination should occur within minutes of the semen being thawed.

This part of the process, I need to learn more about. From my visual observation the outside of the cow’s reproductive tract is wiped clean, the gloved arm is inserted into the rectum and the cervix is grasped. The insemination rod is then introduced into the vagina and passed through the cervix into the uterus. It is then and there that the semen is deposited. Like I said my knowledge is very limited my interest level is definitely peaked.

AI is a complex way of breeding cattle but the benefits are great. Success requires attention to detail in all areas of herd management. Thanks to my awesome hubby and his skill we are able to offer an improved quality of cattle to our customers.

Had to put one in of our cute lil guy. He looks so young here.

Once we finished the long day of breeding, we loaded a semi with half the herd and headed to Victor. I think we left about 7 pm. Of course it was dark when we got there and had to unload. There wasn’t even a sliver of moonlight. My job was to head them off of the road into the pasture as they came off the truck. I was nervous I was going to let them get by and let me tell you, they were hard to see! I did have a flashlight for about 2 minutes until it decided to die on me. I got along fine and only “lost” one calf for a minute. We watched with flashlights for the herd to pair up and then headed home. We got home sometime after 2 am. My poor sweetheart had to be up by 4 and start turnaround – 12 hour days for 21 days straight! I am glad we all survived and hope next year is a little calmer.

Finally, I am getting a little caught up…now on to the summertime! I hope to have it all entered by summer’s end…September 23! I better get to work!

What's Yer Brand?

Many good Western novels have been written over the years involving cattle in one way or another. From good ol’ cattle drives to no account cattle rustlers, and everything in between, cows have always been synonymous with the old West. Back in the day, the life-blood of any western ranch was its cattle and if you had em’ you had better brand em’. Like the title papers to your favorite truck, the brand on a cow is proof of ownership. Ranches were known by their brand and when a cowboy rode for a ranch, he rode for the brand. So you can bet there was a fair amount of pride involved in being associated with a certain brand.

Branding cattle was probably the single most important function on a working cattle ranch in the old west. But branding didn’t start there. No, branding livestock has been carried out for thousands of years. In fact, modern day archaeologists, (have found paintings on Egyptian tombs over four thousand years old that show scenes of cattle being branded.

Branding livestock is still done today. A branded cow, or horse for that matter may be a stockman’s only claim to ownership. It’s not only extremely important, these days it’s required by law, in most places, especially if you have cattle on the open range. That’s right, the law requires ranchers to mark their cattle with a registered brand, using a branding iron.

These days, there is another way to prove ownership of cattle. It’s through the practice of ear notching and wattling. It has, over the years, become what’s known as a customary law that is based on traditional usage. But that’s another topic, for now, we’ll stick with branding.

Identifying brands on cattle is usually quite simple, unless of course the irons are applied carelessly or improperly, then it can be more difficult.

Branding is usually done once a year, in the spring after calving.

And that is exactly when this event took place…months ago. Branding is also a time for friends to gather. We had a bunch of them here to help and enjoyed every bit of their company. We spent all day Friday from sunup til sundown. The women are usually in charge of the meals and enjoy watching their men and taking pictures. The kids run around having fun and do get in on a little action especially if it involves “rocky mountain oysters”! The next day the cowboys load up their horses and head on over to the neighbors to do it all over again.

Branding is a time of year, a little event that takes place, one that we all look forward to every year!