Day- Late — Big Trails Natural Beef

This week, has been a big week. Brandon has been getting you all informed on the AI program and how it all works and this week we put all of that information to use. While the guys have been busy getting everything timed out and making sure everything is lined up for the “big show,” the kids and I got to do a little helping in the getting ready department and a little helping in getting ready for afterwards department. That is, trying to put up fence on the mountain where the Big Trails Natural Beef herd will go as soon as possible. The mountain is gorgeous this time of year, cool, wet and blooming!

All of the hard work put in throughout the week really came to a head this weekend. Starting Friday cows and heifers of the ranch’s and of ours starting coming in to heat. it starts as just a few… and then a few more… and then by Saturday night Brandon was out until 10 (aka dark) getting cows bred. Then came Sunday.

Temp check on our water. Between 94 and 98 degrees is optimal.

The forecast called for rain most of the afternoon, which is typical of the AI season. We cant seem to get through without one good rainstorm. But after the 85+ degree temps the guys endured Saturday, the cooler weather blowing in wasn’t exactly unwelcome. And after lunch the kids and I loaded up and helped Brandon get the last few in our herd and a few of the ranch’s cows bred before heading down to help finish up the rest of the ranch’s heifers.

The weather seemed to be holding: cool, some clouds running around, but for the most part the weather was fine and the process was running along smoothly. I helped with paperwork and running the chute once Vernon started hauling the heifers to the next pasture, where they will stay for the next month or so. The kids ran around like maniacs climbing everything in sight. And Brandon and Daniel took turns loading up their straw, getting into position, and getting the job done. Then as the number of heifers left dwindled, so did our luck. The sky grew darker and darker and thunder could be heard rumbling around in the distance. Then the storm BLEW in. Gates and trailer doors flew back and forth and the power went out. An unfortunate development since the guys needed their semen warmer tank to be plugged in to heat the water. Then came the rain. In sheets. We hid in the trailer. Someone likened it to something about a cow and a flat rock *giggle*, a little hail mixed in, and we sat and watched it go. And go. And go. The kids got restless in the the confined space. But little by little, it let up. We started on the last 15 or so and thank goodness for newer vehicles and their outlets! We ran an extension cord through the car door and we were in busniess. All in all everything went really well and as we gear up for another big week of gathering and branding we hope our luck holds.

I apologize for the day late post but the power outage included our house. We hope the week has been as good to you as it was to us. And since the blog is going out today I have to say thank you to the brave men and women who have protected our country on all fronts. We are forever grateful to live the good life because some gave all. What did Memorial Day hold for you? Drop a comment and let us know!

By Megan Greet