Preconditioning calves, September 12, 2012

[Soapweed]

But first a few photos from this past Monday, September 10, 2012

Riding out to bring in a few cows to take to the Martin sale

Astride my mighty mule

Sunflower holds the cut

While the Kosmo Kid helps sort

At the sale

They do things up right.

And run a reputable first-class livestock auction facility.

Bringing cattle home to precondition calves today, Wednesday September 12th

Looking in the mirror as they go by

Maneuvering through a little mud

Baldy reflection

Applying lipstick

Not very glamorous but it works quite well

Nice rain last night eliminated dust today. We received four tenths of an inch, which is one of the best rains of the whole summer.

Meanwhile back at the corral

Lots of good help

Scene of our activity

A wonderful crew from my perspective

Two heads are better than one.

Yes indeed, two heads are better than one. :wink:

Searching for a cell phone signal

Her mother is a pharmacist, and she is a farm-assist. :wink:

 

[gcreekrch]

Another good day's work done.

Cattle are sure in good shape for the summer you've had.

 

[wdcook]

Soapweed, do you have both Foremost and Priefert headgates, and if so which do you (or Peach) like better?

 

[Soapweed]

Soapweed, do you have both Foremost and Priefert headgates, and if so which do you (or Peach) like better?

This is the first For-Most chute we've had, but I like it very well so far. I like the fact that the front pipes
on the headgate are straight instead of curved as are on the Priefert. Cows "choke down" quite easily
in the Priefert, and the chute operator has to immediately give them slack or they can die. We also have a new
Stronghold chute at another location, which we like very well. It's front bars are straight also, which I prefer.

Desirable straight bars on For-Most

Undesirable curved bars on Priefert. Cows choke down very easily with the way this is designed, and occasionally a calf can choke, too.
If we rigged up a brisket bar, the problem would probably be somewhat eliminated.

The new Stronghold (with straight bars), which I think we will like very much. Unfortunately it is set up where we haven't had occasion
to work any calves this fall.

 

[Nicky]

Did I see hydraulic hoses on the Stronghold?

 

[Soapweed]

Did I see hydraulic hoses on the Stronghold?

Yes, but they are mechanically run with no motor noise. :wink:

A lever runs the squeeze, giving a one to nine ratio for power. A valve can make the same lever run the head swing. It's a pretty user-friendly set-up.

http://strongholdmfg.com/cattle1.html

 

[Justin]

looks like ya got another powerful set of calves, Soap.

 

[Denny]

The stronghold looks like it has a brisket bar in it. How do you like that I looked at a new chute and that was an option on one of them.

 

[Nicky]

Our new chute has a brisket bar. The cows don't like it, and don't like to come through the chute with it in, so we take it out until semen testing time. And it is WONDERFUL for bulls!!!!!! The neighbors brought their bulls down this spring too. If you have cows that always put their heads down (like alot I've helped work) it would be awesome.

 

[Soapweed]

The brisket bar is great to keep cows from going down in front. We had it in on the yellow For-Most for the first set of calves, but took it out for the next bunch. Calves sure go through more swiftly without it.

 

[R A]

I'm diggin' your new cattle handling set-ups! Great pics by the water!