Time to Move the Cows
#bfrdpwy #aginternship #RightRisk
This week the big themes were equipment repair, replacement heifer pregnant testing, and transition to the forest to begin the gathering of the cows. There has been a lull between harvest and bringing cows back from the forest leaving the perfect opportunity to repair and finalize winterization of the farm equipment.
Equipment repair was primarily to replace the shaft of one of the John Deere Moco Mowers. The shaft was an 18’ rod and part of the drive train that transfers power from the Tractor PTO to the mower blades. It took a three-man team, led by the ranch manager, to remove and replace the shaft. The equipment was completed just in time for the pre-scheduled pregnancy testing of the heifers.
The replacement heifers are the group of stock that will either be sold to market or maintained to replace old, mature cows. These heifers were tested to determine pregnancy status. Once the heifers were completed, it was time to get our gear and move to the mountains.
The transition to the forest required movement of horses, gear and trailers to the pre-staged cow camp. Cow camp is the location in the forest service allotment designated for the team to setup as a base of operations for the ranch hands maintaining placement of the herd.
Submitted by: Tim Bauer
Edits by: GrowinG Internship Team
