A Life Payback
Part of ranch chores is choosing a day to bring in firewood, as mama likes her toes warm. The men are doing cow chores and I have finished the immediate inside tasks, so I head out to start the log…
Brr … Take Care of Your Animals
The temperature is dropping outside and your animals need more energy to keep warm. Increasing the quantity and quality of your hay will allow animals to stay warm, be more comfortable and not lose weight.
Feel and Taste Your Hay
Here are two tips for choosing hay: Feel Take a handful of hay and push it into the palm of the other hand. Does it poke and hurt or does it bend and feel soft? It does the same…
Weigh Day for the Yearlings
It was time to take yearling weights on the heifers and bulls. The heifers were the first to enter the barn and be loaded into the alleyway for the trip to the scale. All went very well as they followed…
Under Cover Feeder
We use a feeder that runs the length of the hay barn. Here are the specifics: Concrete bottom. Steel feed panels in front. Back support of 2”x 6” boards that can be removed. Railroad ties with steel brackets to hold…
Feeling Frisky and Fine
Breakfast is complete and the dishes are piled in the sink for later attention. I dress in coveralls, ball cap, and muck boots ready to attack the ranch world and the Holstein. The Holstein must be locked up twice daily…
Eggs and a Cow Tour
How do you get eggs on a cow tour? We took a day trip to visit Paul Portugue, who lives near Curlew, Washington. The Portugue’s have purchased several Polled Hereford Bulls from us over the years. When we…
How to Read a Hay Test
Understanding a hay test can help make hay selection easier for you and more enjoyable for your animals. There are three main terms to know when reading a hay test. Protein: The material necessary for body growth and making…