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Branding Time

calves in waiting

calves in waiting

Branding season commences. We have most of our baby calves on the ground. We have to pick the right days for branding–after the calves are big enough to not be too stressed, but not so big that they will cause the branding crew too much stress. These calves have reached that “Goldilocks Moment”. In the last few days, we have branded one set of calves on the Home Ranch, and one set of calves in the desert at the Powder Flat Headquarters. We even had a photographer from the Library of Congress, Carol Highsmith, to document the great American branding. As usual, we had child labor on hand.

Nikki roping calves

Nikki roping calves

Mike Buchanan, McCoy and Rhen ready to go to work

Mike Buchanan, McCoy and Rhen ready to go to work

Cow and calf--at the ready

Cow and calf–at the ready

Rhen and Maura, on the job

Rhen and Mara, on the job

Meanwhile, back at the Powder Flat Ranch...

Meanwhile, back at the Powder Flat Ranch…

Nikki holding the calg

Nikki holding the calf

Mike, Megan and Jill wrestling a calf

Nikki, Megan, Mike Pierce and Jill wrestling a calf

Eamon with the irons

Eamon with the irons

Mike B. and Mike P. branding a calf with help from Kate

Mike B. and Mike P. branding a calf with help from Kate

Caro taking pictures of Mike B.

Carol taking pictures of Mike B.

 

Carol with cows

Carol with the cows

 

 

 
 

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Branding days

Three amigos ready for branding

Three amigos ready for branding

It’s the time of year to brand the calves. We have a mixed crew–all ages, but generally experienced. Here are photos from three brandings–hence the varied backdrops.  When we branded the desert calves at the McCullem Place, our long-time (not “old”!) friend Mike Buchanan helped us. Mike worked for my Dad back in the day, and spent a number of years managing the wild horse training program at the Wyoming Honor Farm. He’s back to cowboying now, in his spare time. When I introduced him to our young ranchhand, Cody said, “Mike Buchanan!  Everyone’s heard of him!”.

Most of the calves are branded, but we have lots of spring work ahead of us. We have had great rains, after an open winter. We were worried about the drought, but for now, we have blessed green grass growing.

Cody and Mike, ready to rope calves

Cody and Mike, ready to rope calves

Cody, Eamon and Mike

Cody, Eamon and Mike

Pat, tending the irons

Pat, tending the irons

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Randel and Brittant rassling

Randel and Brittany rassling

Meghan and Tiarnan

Meghan and Tiarnan

Seamus and Tiarnan, ready to help

Seamus and Tiarnan, ready to help (with McCoy a’horseback)

Siobhan briging in a calf

Siobhan bringing in a calf

Cody and Jayce at the McCullem Place

Cody and Jayce at the McCullem Place

bringing in the cows and calves

bringing in the cows and calves

 
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Posted by on May 16, 2015 in Animals, Cattle, Events, Horses

 

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