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Back in the saddle again, getting more bulls out

Soapweed

Well-known member
Saddletramponyonderhill.jpg

Saddletramp on yonder hill
KosmoKidjettrailandablackbull.jpg

Kosmo Kid, jet trail and a black bull
SundanceandtheKid.jpg

Sundance and the Kid
Blackbullsgoingdownthetrail.jpg

Black bulls going down the trail
Gettingclosertocivilization.jpg

Getting closer to civilization
Backendofyesterdaysbulls.jpg

Back end of yesterday's bulls
Today--differenthorsespasturesanddi.jpg

Today--same cowboys, different horses, different pastures, different bulls
Thecrew.jpg

The crew
Bullsgatheredandgoingdownthetrail.jpg

Bulls gathered and going down the trail
Loadingset-upthatworkedquitewell.jpg

Loading set-up that worked quite well
Waitingforonemorebull.jpg

Waiting for one more bull
Itsaboringwait.jpg

It's a boring wait.
Sowhatisareasonablerateforamaid.jpg

So, what is a reasonable rate for a maid? :???:
Yearlingheifers-2.jpg

Yearling heifers
Quenchedthirst.jpg

Quenched thirst
Weareaboutdonefortheday.jpg

We are about done for the day.
 

Sundancer

Well-known member
Enjoyed the pictures as usual, Soapweed. Now that the bulls are pulled, how do you handle them for the remainder of the season? Do they put up a snort when you get them loaded in the trailer or are they congenial to each other? I pulled my bulls last week and they sure are moaning and groaning and wanting back with the ladies. Three electric wires has them contained so far!

I got quite a kick out of the "motel" picture. I didn't realize a dumpster could offer so many amenities :D And "No Vacancy" to boot :( At least you can get a sandwich before you settle in for a long night amongst the refuse :wink:
 

PureCountry

Well-known member
Great pics Soapweed. We were discussing your bull-pulling techniques tonight at our kitchen table with our Grazing Club. Someone mentioned that our whole group should take a stockmanship course with Dylan Biggs, he's a student of Bud Williams, and the conversation took off from there. When I mentioned you folks cutting bulls from heifers and loading them along the fenceline with a few panels and 3 horses, one guy said, "That's how we've always done it. The cows just go." Another said,"If you tried that with mine, they'd be scattered for miles." The first fella replied, "Maybe you should sign up for the course and learn how to train your cows." :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: I nearly spit my coffee out on the table!
 

Northern Rancher

Well-known member
Dylan and I reloaded a Red Angus bull that Dallas Jensen had unloaded at 75 mph-we just herded him back into the trailer in the ditch. Dallas was one wound up little Swede when he pulled in the yard to tell us he lost his bull.
 

BRG

Well-known member
HA HA HA
I can just see Dallas all nervous.

I have not seen him in about 3 years, should give him a call sometime.
 

Soapweed

Well-known member
Sundancer said:
Now that the bulls are pulled, how do you handle them for the remainder of the season? Do they put up a snort when you get them loaded in the trailer or are they congenial to each other?

The bulls are all getting a free ride to town after we are through with them this year. Normally I just use all yearling bulls, but I had some nice ones on hand last fall that were a bit too expensive so I wintered them and used them again this summer. Two-year-old bulls are at the worst stage of their life to sell, but I am pulling the plug anyway. They will eat a lot between now and when they will be needed again next spring. They have a tendency to stand around and dig, and the older they get the harder they are to handle. Adios, bulls. It's been fun having you visit. :wink:

Usually once the bulls are loaded, and if enough gates can be shut to keep them fairly tight, they tend to settle down. When I pulled away with one bunch, a fight was in progress on the trailer. I drove pretty fast, then slammed on the brakes. They lost their balance and behaved until the destination was reached. :) Perhaps a dab of Copenhagen sprinked in the right place could have also solved the problem, but unfortunately I don't chew. :shock: :wink: :)
 

Sundancer

Well-known member
That's interesting! So you buy yearling bulls each year (normally) and then ship them after breeding season? By "going to town", I assume you mean slaughter? Or are they banded and hauled off to a feedlot? The bulls look like good thick bulls....without being nosey, do you buy mid priced bulls? Do you have a regular bull supplier or do you look new directions each year? I'm just trying to figure the economics of that trade every year. In these parts, we normally keep a bull for 4-5 yrs......but they are sure a pain in neck for 9 months of the year! Your way gives me something to ponder!
 

Soapweed

Well-known member
Sundancer said:
That's interesting! So you buy yearling bulls each year (normally) and then ship them after breeding season?
Yes

By "going to town", I assume you mean slaughter?
They go through the sale barn, and the buyer can do with them whatever they want. They would be good breeding bulls if someone needed them. On account of trichomoniasis, "used" bulls cannot be sold through a salebarn to go back to a ranch for breeding purposes in South Dakota.

Or are they banded and hauled off to a feedlot?
Probably the two-year-olds are not banded, but the yearlings are. Both age groups undoubtedly will be fattened in a feedlot for awhile.

The bulls look like good thick bulls....without being nosey, do you buy mid priced bulls?
The best bulls available at the cheapest price. Even commercial bulls without any sign of a pedigree are eligible consorts for my cows. :wink:

Do you have a regular bull supplier or do you look new directions each year?
Both

I'm just trying to figure the economics of that trade every year. In these parts, we normally keep a bull for 4-5 yrs......but they are sure a pain in neck for 9 months of the year! Your way gives me something to ponder!
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Soapweed said:
Oldtimer said:
Soap-- You didn't tell him the EPD's on your bulls :wink: :lol:

I cannot tell a lie. If EPDs are a clue, the bulls I buy are clueless. :wink:

Well from the calf pics you've posted it looks like they had "a clue" what they were supposed to do :wink: :lol:
 

Sundancer

Well-known member
Thanks for the info! With those powerful calves you are pumping out, I figured the bulls were also some high powered, high pedigreed boys! Looks like things are well under control with your system!
 

Shortgrass

Well-known member
There would be a lot of convenience assosiated with such a plan. An old man once told me that a D--- bull could tear up an anvil. You are saving on feed and equipment. My problem is that I alway like too expensive a bull, and couldn' make one season pencil out.
 
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