Branding again, April 21, 2009

[Soapweed]

Getting in another bunch to brand

They are filing through the gate just right

One more corner and they will be in the corral

The cows have been sorted away from the calves.

Some of the equine members of the crew

The pickup is in position

Brady swinging his rope

Intent on his quarry

He throws

And connects

Here he comes

Both feet--just like it is supposed to be

Up and over the wheel

The ground crew hard at work

Sunflower coiling up a rope

Some calves with the Spearhead on their left hip

This group has been branded and is on the way back out the gate to rejoin with their mothers

Prairie picnic

Feels good to rest for a little bit

Rena roping, along with another neighbor who joined us to help in the afternoon

The man with a knife and the girl with the branding iron

 

[leanin' H]

Looks like a short sleeve type of day! The calves look fine. Hope ya get em' all worked and turned out on grass. We are getting geared up to brand a bunch Saturday. Thanks!

 

[Big Muddy rancher]

I see the girls had matching head gear today. Better then a toque. :shock:

 

[Blkbuckaroo]

Looks like spring is gonna' stay for you.Happy branding.

 

[Tap]

That is a fine looking bunch of calves Soapweed, and a great crew too!

Glad to see things are clickin' along down in the sandhills.

Ty

 

[John SD]

So where did those red calves come from? Neighbor's bull? :twisted: :shock: :wink:

 

[Cal]

Where's Baxter? :wink: Wouldn't it be nice to be a few years younger when pop and chips didn't add up to rolls? Good pics. Good job. Enjoy the mudless sand.

 

[Big Muddy rancher]

Did Brady rope that calf then flip his rope to the left side to drag for the wheel on the right side of the truck?

 

[Soapweed]

Thanks for the nice comments. To be truthful, I'm a bit stiff and sore today--getting old, I guess. :? :wink: Brady and I have been getting in plenty of roping lately. We do 27 calves in each draft because that is what the vaccine guns hold. We alternate every 27 calves. Goose and I dragged in 81 calves yesterday. It sure helps to wear chaps and take out the jackknife, lip balm, post office key, and loose change from our right hand front pants pockets. One old neighbor that used to rope a lot of calves at branding time carried around a piece of foam two inches thick and about a foot square. Before he started roping, he'd take down his britches and insert this piece of foam. I was telling Brady about this little trick yesterday, and after the branding he confessed that he'd found a stocking cap in the pickup and had put it under his pant leg.

The calves get Ultrachoice 7 (blackleg) and Bovashield Gold. The steer calves get Synovex C, but the heifers don't get it this year.

So where did those red calves come from? Neighbor's bull? :twisted: :shock: :wink:

If you breed a black cow to a black bull, it is still possible to get a red calf. A red cow bred to a red bull will always result in a red calf. Some of our cattle have red backgrounds, and this comes through occasionally, even though both the cows and bulls are now black.

Where's Baxter? :wink:

He learned to stay away when we brand. :wink:

Wouldn't it be nice to be a few years younger when pop and chips didn't add up to rolls?

Yup.

Did Brady rope that calf then flip his rope to the left side to drag for the wheel on the right side of the truck?

No, I think the rope is just around behind his horse, and still across his right leg. When we pull across the wheel, the ground person holds the rope tight, and we turn our horses to face the wheel. They then back up until the rope is in the proper position. Our horses are really getting good at pulling in reverse.

 

[Soapweed]

Calves look really good.

Thanks.

Are you giving a nasal shot? Everyone around here is giving TSV 2 in the nose for pneumonia 50 cents a shot so pretty cheap.

No, we have never done this. It would probably be a good idea.