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Calling cows

K

katrina

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 14, 2005
Messages
8,773
Location
East north east of Soapweed
After a particularly tough two weeks I had something happen today that puts my life pretty much in perspective.... Being from the sandhills my dad would always call his cows to cake. And it was always fun as a kid to feed some of the cows by hand while we were waiting for the cows to string out of the sandhills. And I have always kept it so I too could call our cows... So as it happened tonight after I got Dean from school, hubby said the cows were out of water down south. He said he would take down a tank of water after supper. But instead I told him I would just walk down to the gate and call them through the gate to water.. So that is what I did.... Sure enough I called "Come boss" And they mooed back and started their stroll to me and the gate.. first one to the gate was Sunshine. Dean's four year old steer... Witch is a whole nother story, but I will say that steer got Dean through a new school and third and fourth grade... And the next was 082. I don't know if you guys remember this spring we tried to graft a calf on this hiefier and she would only stand in the stanchion, so I would get some grain and green grass (back when we had green grass.) and feed her every morining and night. While the calf nursed I would say my prayers and the little calf would nurse away.... And then the rest came through the gate all in hurry. I stopped to look at them and they stopped too. So on we strolled me the cow piper and my stock to full tank of water.... I finally realize this is who I am....
 
wasn't it one of the StockmanGrass Farmer guru's who had a big old lead steer? you get one trained it can save a whole lot of hoopla.

look's like your well on your way Katrina :lol: maybe they were just following the Wranglers :wink:
 
we call ours too... plus, I taught them to read...if I go out there and hold up an empty Aurora Coop sack, they read the sack, and know there is corn....and they come a running!
 
Like your story Katrina, :D

When my oldest was little we were feeding cake out of the back of the pick up, it was her job to steer as I put the truck in gear and then get out and shovel. Well besides sitting in the steering wheel and looking back at me she would call the cows out the window but it only worked if she had her hand out and it would open and close with the "Come Boss". :D :D
 
A few days ago, 2 pairs were missing from our pasture when we trailed home. (6 miles) Late afternoon, I went out with the pickup to find them in the neighbors, and so I gave them the "Come Boss" to get them coming and towed them home with the horn (2 shorts and a long Honk, which means, Come a-runnin, there's cake) I had my husband meet me at the gate into the home pasture with some cake to reward them for the 6 mile hike behind a pickup.
When I was a kid, I asked Dad what the code meant, 2 shorts and a long, and that's when he told me it meant "Come a-runnin"
 
Not sure if you will feel this fits - - - I wrote this as a short sermon several years ago.


The touch of the Master

I must start at the first meeting I had with these cattle. I had not had cattle on the farm for about 20 years but now had time and wanted a small herd.

I purchased 15 registered Charolis cows that ranged from first calf heifers to 13-year-old moms. These cattle had been housed at a remote location and looked at humans as predators to be eliminated.

These were so wild that the man I got them from could only bring three the first load and that so unnerved the rest it was about 3 weeks before he was able to catch two more.

I like my cattle gentle so I purchased some sweet feed ( contains molasses) and would put some over the fence and get to safety before they could get to me. It took about a week before they would come to me instead of after me. However I still could not get them to come up onto the concrete floor that leads to the barn.

When the next two got here they followed the lead of the three that had been here a couple of weeks and soon I was able to get them on the concrete but still not in the barn. As more cattle got here I continued to gentle them and by the time all 15 were here I was able to even touch a couple - - - what a dramatic difference!

These cattle have been here about three years now and it is remarkable to me how each of them reacts to me.

When I go out to check on the herd they have all come to recognize me and all will come whenever I appear. Cow K10 is the friendliest of the group and always wants her ears scratched, K02 is the most standoffish, the bull always has to tell me he is the boss and will try to keep the cows from coming to me. He cannot keep them from me as they are to many and even K02 knows that if I show up something good is going to happen - - - I might have some sweet feed, open a gate to fresh pasture, put out fresh mineral or something else but it will be good.

Now as they have all accepted me as "The Master" it is very interesting as to how each reacts - - - K10 would be quite content with just a touch on the head, K02 will stand back and just wants to see what treat is available and the bull still tries to intimidate me!

This brings Christians to my mind - - - how will we each react to the coming of the master? Will we be like K10 just content to know the master is here or will we be like K08 content to be petted but wants the treat first or like K02 wanting nothing to do with the master but wanting the reward that comes with being in his presence?

When you look at mother and calf pairs the calves do not always mimic the mom. K10 is the friendliest but her calf K610 is very wary. K11 stays back about 10 feet but K611 follows me wanting to be petted. K02 never approaches me but K602 is almost as friendly as K611.

All have been handled with care and affection but have totally different attitudes with me.

Christ is there for all of us but we all have the free will to decide how to follow.


This was written in 1996 and most of the cattle spoken of here are now gone but the replacements ( most of which were born here ) still have different attitudes.

I hope I did not offend any of you
 
George said:
Not sure if you will feel this fits - - - I wrote this as a short sermon several years ago.


The touch of the Master

I must start at the first meeting I had with these cattle. I had not had cattle on the farm for about 20 years but now had time and wanted a small herd.

I purchased 15 registered Charolis cows that ranged from first calf heifers to 13-year-old moms. These cattle had been housed at a remote location and looked at humans as predators to be eliminated.

These were so wild that the man I got them from could only bring three the first load and that so unnerved the rest it was about 3 weeks before he was able to catch two more.

I like my cattle gentle so I purchased some sweet feed ( contains molasses) and would put some over the fence and get to safety before they could get to me. It took about a week before they would come to me instead of after me. However I still could not get them to come up onto the concrete floor that leads to the barn.

When the next two got here they followed the lead of the three that had been here a couple of weeks and soon I was able to get them on the concrete but still not in the barn. As more cattle got here I continued to gentle them and by the time all 15 were here I was able to even touch a couple - - - what a dramatic difference!

These cattle have been here about three years now and it is remarkable to me how each of them reacts to me.

When I go out to check on the herd they have all come to recognize me and all will come whenever I appear. Cow K10 is the friendliest of the group and always wants her ears scratched, K02 is the most standoffish, the bull always has to tell me he is the boss and will try to keep the cows from coming to me. He cannot keep them from me as they are to many and even K02 knows that if I show up something good is going to happen - - - I might have some sweet feed, open a gate to fresh pasture, put out fresh mineral or something else but it will be good.

Now as they have all accepted me as "The Master" it is very interesting as to how each reacts - - - K10 would be quite content with just a touch on the head, K02 will stand back and just wants to see what treat is available and the bull still tries to intimidate me!

This brings Christians to my mind - - - how will we each react to the coming of the master? Will we be like K10 just content to know the master is here or will we be like K08 content to be petted but wants the treat first or like K02 wanting nothing to do with the master but wanting the reward that comes with being in his presence?

When you look at mother and calf pairs the calves do not always mimic the mom. K10 is the friendliest but her calf K610 is very wary. K11 stays back about 10 feet but K611 follows me wanting to be petted. K02 never approaches me but K602 is almost as friendly as K611.

All have been handled with care and affection but have totally different attitudes with me.

Christ is there for all of us but we all have the free will to decide how to follow.


This was written in 1996 and most of the cattle spoken of here are now gone but the replacements ( most of which were born here ) still have different attitudes.

I hope I did not offend any of you
Click to expand...


:clap: :clap: :clap:
 
I learned to call cows as a kid from my uncles and aunt. We call "Soooo Hoooo" out here and our cows start to bellar and come on a trot. I got a great neighbor who always honks his horn as he goes out to feed his cows. Those cows will follow an empty truck through the gates of hell. :D Good on ya Katrina. I thought i was the only crazy cow whisperer! :D

And George, that was a great piece of reading. :D
 
George, that was very inspirational on what you wrote about "The Touch of the Master." Thanks for sharing it with us.

My dad used to call his Herefords to cake with a loud, "KaBoss, KaBoss, Whoooooeeeeeeee." It worked for him and it works for me. :wink:

My 1998 Dodge one-ton diesel feed pickup has a noise all its own. It can't be used for anything else but feeding cattle, because when it starts, all cattle within earshot immediately become excited. They know that good things come from that pickup and that noise, and they willingly will follow it just about anywhere. Even in the summertime, when the cattle graze at our neighbor's ranch along the highway, they are attracted to the peculiar sound of that pickup. Cars and trucks go down the road all day long at speeds between sixty and seventy miles per hour, but all heads come up when this feed pickup goes by at highway speed.

A friend of mine hauled protein blocks in his airplane to snow-stranded cattle in the bad winter of 1978-1979. He said it was funny watching those cows run towards his plane with their heads high in the air, trying to be the first to arrive at the protein blocks. One time a protein block accidentally hit an early arriving cow, so he learned to give them plenty of lead. He said that a few years later he flew the same plane low over those cattle. They remembered the sound of the plane and ran enthusiastically towards him, heads held high.

It is easier to pull a chain than to push one. :wink:
 
Mine all come when calling, but I'm presently trying to teach them to come individually, or one at the time, by their eartag number. :wink:

That will come in handy when AI'ing.
 
When our Texan neighbour quit cows he thought his place should be an elk refuge. His man would take pellets (cake to you foreigners :shock: ) and honk the horn when spreading them out. For years afterwards you could go out and honk your horn to call elk in!
 
Mike said:
Mine all come when calling, but I'm presently trying to teach them to come individually, or one at the time, by their eartag number. :wink:

That will come in handy when AI'ing.
Click to expand...


In the immortal words of the OLD philosopher known far and wide as Haymaker. :roll:


"GOOD LUCK" :lol: :lol:
 
Soapweed said:
George, that was very inspirational on what you wrote about "The Touch of the Master." Thanks for sharing it with us.

Some think I have a screw loose when I try to put daily life into my christian teachings, Glad you were able to make the connection.
Click to expand...
 
Great story Katrina! I call mine too just to save walking or drive time. Sometimes it's just enjoyable to sit on a bucket and watch while they graze to see which kind of vegetation they go to first.
 
James T said:
Great story Katrina! I call mine too just to save walking or drive time. Sometimes it's just enjoyable to sit on a bucket and watch while they graze to see which kind of vegetation they go to first.
Click to expand...

Now there's a picture of a complete caregiver - to the cattle and grass! There is a lot to be learned by doing that. :tiphat:
 
Seriously, Burnt! I have all kinds of junk growing in my pasture - crabgrass, johnson grass, a little bermuda, grass burrs etc. It was interesting to see what they ate first and what they would eat last. The crabgrass came in last. They would even eat the grass burr grass (before the burrs popped out) before eating that crabgrass. The bermuda came in as number one on their little menu of choices.
 

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