Saturday, April 28, 2007
Back at the Ranch
If you didn't know before, then you will find out here that I grew up on a ranch and farm operation in southern Ellsworth county. Every once in a great while, I find my way back home to remind myself what an honest day's work includes. Every spring, family, friends, and close neighbors get together and work the baby calves to get them ready for summer grass. There are vaccinations to give and the calves get a brand that goes on the left shoulder. (a brand is a way to keep your cattle from being stolen) My sister-in-law was responsible for the vaccines, my dad does the branding, and my brother and I do the grunt work of bringing the calf to the ground (of course, we get help from the others too). Every once in a while, the jobs are switched around to keep the help from wearing out. Even though there is work to be done, we still find time to swap good stories, share some good laughs, and remember what draws us together as family and friends. I'll let the pictures tell the story, but it was a beautiful afternoon for working cattle and just another day I'll remember for a long time to come. I'm a little sore today, but I managed to make it through the day with just one big bruise on my leg. I guess I'll survive. (Click on the pictures to see them in a larger format)
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6 comments:
Ohhhh, ohhhh! Very big needles! ahhh! It's great that you go back and help out, a lot of people wouldn't even want to go back after they leave.
You're sore? Moooooooooooo.
As the wife of a rancher I know all about the hard work that goes into working calves every spring. So I agree with you when you say that it is truly a hard days work. A few years ago I even had the chance to work calves with your brother at the Cedar Creek Ranch in Manhattan. It was an interesting time.
What breed of cattle do you raise and how many head of cattle do you run?
Imabelle,
They are red angus cattle and my dad swears there is nothing better. They are very even tempered and handle great from horseback. As far as numbers go, I'm not exactly sure but it is enough to keep everyone busy in the winter months with the feeding.
So are you biased against black angus? I'm just joking, to some the difference is small, but to others they are two distinct breeds. So what is your family ranch's brand? J Bar? And also do you do much of the work on horseback or do you prefer ground work?
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