Moving Cows, Calculating AUMs

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This week was all [about] moving cows. I learned a ton about cow behavior, and how they interact with the horses. I learned different techniques for keeping the cows together and driving them.

This week entailed moving two herds of approximately 300 cows in one herd, and 200 cows in the other herd. The 300 cows are for the association they belong to. It was interesting to learn the ins and outs of the association and how it operates.

The second herd we have actually been driven [drove] from the [B]adlands, on BLM allotments, to the mountains to graze on Forest Service allotments.

Fun fact the Galloways are one of the few operations left that still trail their cattle. It’s a big logistical undertaking from the horses, to the movement of water tanks and doctoring along the way.

I guess the concept I would challenge is that the family does use websites to calculate AUMs for their pastures. However, the[y] rarely take samples for nutritional data in their pastures or for their hay. I believe this is crucial to understand what the forage is supplying to make a plan to supplement with minerals to achieve full genetic potential.