CC (Colorado Copy) of Soapweed's gizmo

[Shortgrass]

Up close & personal view of the Gizmo waiting for action

Action is on the way, Sarah on Kinkade

The crew

Dan, dragging one in

Andy leading him to the gizmo, Durham watching the gate

Dan dragging one out, Bob after another one, Pardon me I should be working!

Bob takes a turn at roping, Durham still working, andf I'm goofing off again!

Bob visiting with Jason and Hayden after the action

Jason with his boys. Durham leading, Hayden up, Little Mary working

He'll be dragging calves, and I will be running a tally book before you know it!

 

[bverellen]

I really appreciate folks posting pics of their operations on here for the whole world to see.

Besides the ever present money factor, is there a reason for using horses and roping over the use of acalf table or squeeze chute for working your calves?

Thanks.........

bart.

 

[CattleArmy]

My question with gizmos such as this one is it to save not having to have as much help because there is lack of it or just to not have to neighbor so much?

Our neighbor that uses the nord forks went to them because the owner thought the ranches spent to much time helping the neighbors back in order to have a full branding crew. We use them for the late calves so three people can do it.

I know down where my Uncle ranches near Mullen Nebraska the problem they are running into is there are no young people anymore to help brand. In that case they need to be looking into such gizmos.

 

[per]

We use a table for that reason. Can move it from place to place and use green help and kids from town. The community gets together once a month in a local hall for breakfast now because we don't help each other out as often. Local businesses take turns to sponsor the cost of the food and hall and we pay an honorarium to eat and support some local causes. Usually a hundred or so come out and raise around a thousand dollars.

 

[Shortgrass]

If you keep a calf on both arms, you can work calves faster than a chute. I think it is easier on calves, and fun to rope! Also, we are having trouble finding people who can flank anymore. Just what you like I guess. I did think that this method of restraint made dehorning harder. Not a problem on those Angus calves though. Those calves pictured are Limosine sired.

 

[WyomingRancher]

Congrats Shortgrass on a successful branding! It's always great when a new gadget works out. I'm confused though, I thought you ran charolais cattle :? .

Anyway, we use nord forks because there aren't many people around to help anymore. I'd guess the average age of my branding crew to be mid to late-fifties. Also, you can usually find ropers , but not many people are willing to get kicked pushing calves up to a table.

We do the late calves with a table and a crew of two...me and my boss. It works fine for doing a few head.

 

[Shortgrass]

These cattle are Jason's mother's cattle. He built the gizmo from pictures I had shown him. I do run Char.

 

[Nicky]

Great pics, looked like a nice day. Is Jason a neighbor or son in law?

 

[Northern Rancher]

We always rope and drag calves here-the rule of thumb is if you rope-you wrestle or bring a handy kid to take your spot. The owner of the cattle calls who ropes when and with who. One thing we don't do is work calves on dirt-everybody has enough portable panels tthat we work calves on clean grass. I realize grass might be in short supply in some places this time of year but by the time we brand there's always a few wisps. I brought a Nodfork up from Montana to try but nobody showed much interest. We have used a deadman for big calves and a smaller crew. The biggest branding faux paus up here is hogging the roping lol. Some early calvers are having trouble getting calves done before they have to turnout due to the storms.

 

[Soapweed]

Your gizmo turned out pretty good, Shortgrass. That wider wheel might be an improvement on our deal. Hope it worked well for you, and that your crew is not too disgusted with the concept. :wink:

I like being able to do our own calves at our convenience, in modest sized bunches, and in good weather. If it is raining or too windy, we don't have to do it. With a large crew set to come on a certain day, it is much harder to readjust plans when the weather doesn't cooperate. A calf table would probably be faster with a small crew, but by using the calf trap gizmo, we still get to rope the calves and keep a little bit of cowboy tradition involved. :cboy: :cowboy:

 

[gcreekrch]

With the calf laying in the position they are in when the rope is clamped are they a little wrinkled up for a rib brand?