We've had a few weather delays during which we took time to do some cow stuff and some cleaning. We had some painters coming to paint the fire-damaged grain bin. There was a lot of fencing supplies stacked around it so all that needed to be moved. R had taken our Polaris Ranger to Miles City to get it worked on so he missed out on all the fun. It was a hot, humid day after some rain and it wore us out. When we finished that project we decided we'd better move the heifers since we didn't know when we'd get another chance. That actually went a lot more smoothly than we thought it might although the stupid things seem to have a hard time going through a gate once they get to one.
We also needed to move our two big bunches of cows and pull the bulls off. It was super hot last week so we were up at 5 to try to beat the heat. There is a small holding pen that can be accessed from two pastures. The day before, M and R set up panels to make an alleyway to run the bulls up and into the trailer. They had also brought my 4-wheeler up the day before so while M took me to get it R started rounding up the first group of cows. They were headed toward the gate when we had a breakaway of about 6 pairs--all were cows we were pasturing for our neighbor. M and I and Junior got them rounded up and back to the gate. Before we started, M had told me that I needed to be inside the gate so that they didn't head up the coulee when they got through the gate. However, I was there too late and just inside the gate there's a drop off so that I couldn't get around in front to head them off. At least not without breaking my neck! Finally R got there to help me and we got them turned before they got too far and sent them to the holding pen. Junior helped get the breakaway pairs headed back in the right direction and then I didn't see him again. I thought he was with M, but he wasn't. I was concerned that he had gotten kicked and was hurt lying in the pasture somewhere, but no, he was laying under the pickup at the holding pen. Sometimes he gets confused as to who he should listen to or help when M and I are both out riding so we wondered if he just gave up and found some shade. I also wondered if he was not feeling well since he had thrown up a little before we headed out.
M and R sorting out the bulls
The bulls in their pasture. I had to take a photo because it's greener than it's been all summer.
Odd for August.
They had the bulls sorted off in no time and the cows and calves kicked out in to the pasture by 7:30. Their panel set up worked really well and R said it was almost too easy. I was hoping that statement wouldn't come back to haunt him. M took off with the trailer to haul the bulls to a different pasture and R and I and Junior went to round up the next bunch. Junior was very helpful this time in getting the cows away from the water since he could go where we couldn't get to with the 4-wheelers. He got a bit sidetracked, though, and had to lay in the water a few times. We had that group of cows in by 8:30 and R headed home to get to the field while M and I took those bulls to their pasture. We also had to move salt and mineral tubs and the oilers and check some gates. He had been telling me about a rock formation that the neighbors carved their initials in when they were kids and we were finally in the area so he showed it to me. The carvings look pretty good for being there for 85 years!
M loves being out on the prairie with his cows and I had the distinct impression that he was dragging his feet and didn't want to go back to his combine. He finally did, though.
I don't mind working with our cows, but I get a little miffed when I have to chase someone else's. One Saturday I had been out in the field all afternoon helping the guys get moved from one place to another. I was hot and tired and wanted to have a shower, a glass of wine and put my feet up. When I got close to home I noticed cows heading up the drive toward my yard. I was not happy! As soon as I got to the yard I started honking my horn and chasing them and they headed south. Our neighbor is renting some of his pasture to a friend who had had a fire on some of his land and needed a place for his cows. Our neighbor assured him that they would check the fence so he didn't have to worry about it. Ha! They never check their fences. The neighbors were at a wedding so R got in touch with the owner and he came (from quite a distance) and got them back in just before dark. I was happy that I had gotten home before dark and gotten them out of my yard! M said he was hoping they would have broken a flower pot and gotten me really fired up. I did leave the neighbor a voice mail as I was chasing cows down our wheat field in my Jeep. Funny, he never did call me back. I did notice that someone was up fencing the next morning, and I haven't see a strange cow near my place lately.
I don't seem to get much done around home these days between making lunches, hauling lunches, cleaning up from making lunches and being on call whenever someone needs a ride or a part or fuel. (It's taken me three sessions to get this blog post done) At least I don't have to be out there for hours and hours day after day. I really don't know how they do it, especially on a year like this one where they are just cutting crap.
I was really happy to have some time with the grandkids. They make me smile every day.
And M is always happy to get a hug at the end of the day.
