Working Cows

Today we had to work cows. Basically we had to bring them all in to the corrals and "preg check" all 175 (or so, I don't keep track) plus vaccinate them. Then we needed to vaccinate and "tatoo" all the 60 or so heifers.

Now, I will tell just about everybody that I enjoy working cows. It is fun to be outside sorting cows, working the chute and mostly spending time with all the people that come to help.

HOWEVER, at the same time, I tend to somewhat dread this process. Here is why: no matter how organized you are, how perfect your facilities are, how much help you have it always takes much longer than "expected" hoped. Something always seems to go wrong, cows get out, you forget half your supplies, it's freezing cold, raining, snowing, tornadoes, all of the above. There is just usually some sort of problem.

So today we started this whole process about 8am. Chaney went out and fed the cows right in the corrals so we wouldn't have to saddle horses or have a whole crew try to bring them in.

Then the vet showed up about 915 or 930, early. But we were ready to go. We started sorting cows into the barn and keeping the alleyway full so we didn't waste anytime.

The facilities out here aren't the best. Cows always seem to find a hole or bust a gate or something. So it is a little tricky getting around. I was kind of the middle man today. I had to make sure the alley stayed full which meant moving cows ahead. Shutting and opening gates. Climbing over panels. Bringing more cows in. Climbing more panels....let's just say I got tired pretty quickly. (Oh and did I mention I've been doing these INSANITY work outs and my whole body is so sore I can hardly move??? -- just a small detail)

But we kept things moving right along and I will say that today went exceptionally smooth!! We were finished by 1pm! Isn't that amazing?! I was shocked.

Besides the extreme ice that is all over this ranch, the "open" cows (which there was only 11!) busting down the gate and getting in with the pregnant cows, and running out of one vaccine, today was about perfect. Everyone was really helpful and knew what they needed to do and where to be. The vet was super fast. And the weather was even decent.

On a side note, it is now freezing outside, super windy and getting dark (we got done just in time!) oh and Chaney may or may not be out there trying to sort out the open cows from the pregnant ones, but hey today was great. We will just leave it at that! :)

( Just so you all know, I did offer to help sort out the open cows...)