Finally! The weather cleared up enough to allow us to get some branding done.
For about the past month or so, we have been anxiously watching the skies, waiting for clear weather, and measuring blades of grass. Cows have been calving steadily, more and more cow/calf pairs have been moved from the "heavy" group, into the barnyard for extra care if needed, and then out to temporary holding pastures. After calving the cows need plenty of rich alfalfa hay to help support good milk production for their new calves. Ranch hay supplies have run out twice. A couple weeks ago, we were down to 1 day hay supply remaining, with the roads just barely passable for a hay truck. Doug headed to town with one flat on the trailer, on a Sunday, and even made it up the final steep hill on our driveway, which is not graveled. He left with truck and trailer again next day, pulled in to the station to have that flat tire repaired and then hauled another load of hay home! What a relief to see two tall loads of hay home, stacked and ready to feed hungry cows! No matter that it is year-old, first cutting hay. At least my rancher man was able to locate some feed. Hay has become an extremely rare commodity in our area.
For about the past month or so, we have been anxiously watching the skies, waiting for clear weather, and measuring blades of grass. Cows have been calving steadily, more and more cow/calf pairs have been moved from the "heavy" group, into the barnyard for extra care if needed, and then out to temporary holding pastures. After calving the cows need plenty of rich alfalfa hay to help support good milk production for their new calves. Ranch hay supplies have run out twice. A couple weeks ago, we were down to 1 day hay supply remaining, with the roads just barely passable for a hay truck. Doug headed to town with one flat on the trailer, on a Sunday, and even made it up the final steep hill on our driveway, which is not graveled. He left with truck and trailer again next day, pulled in to the station to have that flat tire repaired and then hauled another load of hay home! What a relief to see two tall loads of hay home, stacked and ready to feed hungry cows! No matter that it is year-old, first cutting hay. At least my rancher man was able to locate some feed. Hay has become an extremely rare commodity in our area.
Before putting cow and calf pairs out to pasture in the spring, grass needs to be greening up to meet their nutritional needs, and the calves must be branded. In spite of a very windy weekend, we set about getting calves worked and pairs put out to pasture.
Maple bars waiting for the branding crew
High winds made for a pretty glow in the skies, at sunset.