There’s a whole lotta
bawlin’ goin’ on ‘round here.
Must be weanin’ time.
Fall, and the work is getting done. We’re sorting the cows and calves, and getting ready to ship the steers next week. Rhen couldn’t believe that they could do it without him, so he waited for the cattle to come in, then rode with Aunt Meghan.
Every fall, we have what we call “the good old ewes.” These ewes are still sound, but aren’t quite up for another winter on the Red Desert. They are Minnesota bound. Sheep producers around Pipestone can offer them a comfier life at a lower altitude, with more shelter. They will be able to produce lambs and wool for several more years.
It’s that time of year again. It seems like we were just trailing the cows and calves onto the Forest for summer grazing. Our “off-date” has rolled around already. We mustered 19 horses and riders, including the six grandkids, to gather the cattle and bring them down to a lower pasture on private land. The calves are looking nice and chubby, and the cows are looking forward to weaning.
October 1st is the off-date for our National Forest grazing permits–Medicine Bow and Routt; sheep and cattle. Since several herds are involved, we have to stage the trailing, in coordination with our Range Conservationists and neighbors, who are also trailing. Here is one band of ewes and lambs heading down from summer grazing on the Routt. We dodged a couple of fires, and had to change our rotation, but all in all, it was a good summer. Thanks to all our crew and the federal folks who work with us.