Safety on the Job

#bfrdpwy #aginternship #RightRisk

This week started off as a continuation from last week as we vaccinated another 130 calves. Towards the middle of the week, we trailed another group of pairs up to the mountain along; we also shipped yearlings up to the mountain. Once the cattle were moved, we finished the week with fixing a lot of fencing and pipes. Throughout the week I learned the importance of investing in good fence and the importance of maintaining the fence, ensuring each pasture has adequate water supply including maintenance of the pipes, along with using good judgement when deciding whether to trail or ship calves to another pasture.

Throughout trailing this summer, I have seen firsthand how many people are not supporting ranchers, especially when they are trailing or hauling calves. It was very disheartening to see so many people who were rude and reckless when we were trailing along state highways. I challenge people to really consider next time they see a slow livestock trailer of a cattle drive “in their way” to slow down and consider the lives they are putting at risk. Beyond the risking lives, showing appreciation for how many mouths these ranchers are feeding by simply doing their job.

Questions that remain after this week are: what other ranching state laws are in place to ensure the safety of livestock and ranchers? Are there better ways we can educate the public about these laws? After this week, it is very apparent to me how little the public knows about ranching!

Things that I learned this week that I will incorporate into future ranching are the little tips and tricks I picked up fixing fence and pipe. Also, making the judgement on whether to ship or trail based on the circumstances. For example, this week we shipped the yearlings up to the mountains so we would avoid trailing along a state highway full of tourists. While another choice was made for us to trail a group of pairs through differing pastures up to the mountains.

Submitted by: Chloe Henderson
Edits by: GrowinG Internship Team