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Tag Archives: Chad

And what were YOU doing in June?

Heifer waiting for Doctor Ben

We are lucky to have two young veterinarians, Dr. Ben Noland and Dr. Hallie Noland, in our community. They have opened up Sage Veterinary Services near Baggs, which means that–much as we love them–we don’t have to depend on vets in the distant burgs of Rawlins, Craig and Steamboat Springs. Dr. Ben showed up to pregnancy check our heifers. I told him that he didn’t have to worry about his wife criticizing his dirty clothes at the end of the day.

At breakfast, McCoy informed his dad that he’d rather help preg check than go to kindergarten. Eamon had to explain the new reality to McCoy.

That’s Dr. Ben at the “rear”, with Eamon and Chad assisting.

She’s awaiting the verdict that will determine her future.

No Bull

28 Jun

Working the cows by the Elephant Corrals

It’s that time of year. In order for our calves to be born in a timely manner next spring, the cows must become pregnant now, or soon. Most of them will manage this in the traditional way, which involves a close, if brief, relationship with a bull–preferably one of our choosing. Some of the cows will have a close encounter with a straw of bull semen. What this encounter lacks in romance it makes up for in the quality of the afore-mentioned semen. Artificial insemination allows us to breed the cows to bulls which have been carefully selected for characteristics we like, while not having to buy and support very high-priced bulls. If, for some reason, the cows do not respond to the attention of Adam, Megan and Hallie–well–there’s always the actual bulls who are willing to work to ensure a spring calf crop!

Getting the cows ready for artificial insemination

Megan and Nikki bringing up the cows.

Sam, our Wyoming Stock Growers Association intern, on the job

Nikki with the flag

Maeve–cowgirl in pink

Three Amigos–Chad, Eamon and Pat

Eamon pondering: Bull or No Bull.

Easter baby

26 Mar

Ben shaves the cow

Today, Easter Eve, Chad found a prolapsed very pregnant cow. We called the local vet, Ben Noland, who came up to help. After assessing the situation, he recommended a cesarean section in an attempt to save both calf and cow. Ben and his wife Hallie, also a vet, recently opened the Sage Veterinary Clinic near Baggs, and we are really happy to have them in the community. We have a happy ending, so far.

Ben scrubbing the incision site

the incision

Chad and the peanut gallery: Maura, Maeve and
Tiarnan

Ben and Chad draw out the calf.

Chad tickles the calf’s nose so she will breathe.

My coat goes to a good cause

Ben putting the innards back together

the stitches

Easter Eve after the birth

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Posted by Ladder Ranch on March 26, 2016 in Animals, Cattle, Events, Family, Folks, Folks who help us out

Tags: Ben, calf, calving, Cesarean birth, Chad, heifer, Maeve, Sage Veterinary Clinic, Tiarnan

Shipping days

06 Nov

Bringing in the cows and calves

It’s that time of year when the long days of summer have come to an end. Since early summer, the cows and calves, and the ewes and lambs, have grazed the Forest. Their only responsibilities have been to gain weight and avoid predators. The cows have had the added task of consorting with bulls and getting pregnant.

Those days are gone, and it is now time for the calves and lambs to leave their mothers and move on to the next stage of life. The nights are noisy as the cows and ewes call for their departed offspring. The older moms probably give a sigh of relief as their mothering duties have been fulfilled for another turn of the seasons.