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Ranchers Payday

Tap

Well-known member
We have weaned and shipped some heifer calves recently, and tomorrow is the day we weigh and ship our home raised steer calves. Recently we have been moving cattle, sorting and all the things that precede calf weaning and shipping. Things went well the other day when we sold the heifer calves, but the weather got snowy as the day went on, and we had a pretty cool, overcast weekend.

Today was spent helping a neighbor haul calves to the scale, then pushing our own steer pairs up closer to home so they will be ready to run over the scale tomorrow. As the day went on it turned into one of those days we sometimes get in the fall when there is virtually no wind, the birds are flying over happily, and the temps were in the high 50's. Just a great day to be a rancher. It was also a good day to survey how the calves look against other years, and see what another years breeding decisions did to our calf crop.

Maybe I am in a sentimental mood, but it was just one of those afternoons that make you know you chose the right path in life.

Tomorrow we might get the check, but today was payday. :!:
 

fedup2

Well-known member
SANDHILLS SEASONS

Mickee Cheek

I don't have to wear a watch
To know the time of day
Or have a calendar at hand
To guide me on my way.

Here in cattle country
If you learn to read the signs
Everything has its own way
And gets done in its own time.

Early in the year
Before the grass is green
The cows know when it's time for them
And the calves show you it's Spring.

About the time things settle down
Branding rolls around
Get the irons heated up
The last pair has been found.

Then it's practice, practice, practice
For the rodeo's in town
And don't forget the hay crews
Working sunup to sundown.

Weaning time comes after that
Just hear those cattle bawl
It's payday for the ranchers
And that's how you know it's Fall.

The pace slows down, the bills get paid
The ranchers check their debt
Another year is winding down
Winter's nearly here and yet—

Here in the sandhills of Nebraska
We have learned to know the reasons
That work gets done when it gets done
With the changing of the seasons.
 

Tap

Well-known member
Thanks for the nice replies everyone.

If you can't take time to stop and smell the roses, then you are probably in the wrong business. :wink:
 

Turkey Track Bar

Well-known member
Tap said:
Thanks for the nice replies everyone.

If you can't take time to stop and smell the roses, then you are probably in the wrong business. :wink:

Tap, true enough, and thanks for your "tribute" to why we all ranch. It's those nice warm fall days and nice warm spring afternoons watching baby calves be born and grow that make the blizzards, droughts, and fires all worth it.

Cheers--

TTB :wink:
 
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