Handling the Herd
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Week 3 started off somewhat slower than the first two weeks. Jumping into Farming and Ranching isn’t all just dealing with livestock and it’s definitely not “riding the open range” everyday. Monday and Tuesday were spent learning how to run the Swather and then cutting a couple hay fields as well as doing some mechanic work as it was needed. From getting the square baler lubricated and running to fixing broken cutters and guards on the Swather or changing the oil in a tractor and getting a flat tire fixed on the UTV, it’s all essential skills in farming and ranching.
The rest of the week was spent with another first time for me, since I have never worked with sheep. The planning for what group to herd first and when, then using four-wheelers to herd the sheep into the holding pens and beginning the process of vaccinating, docking lambs’ tails, performing castration by banding the juvenile males and separating the ones ready for weaning. During these 4 days I learned how to plan and prepare what vaccines to use and how to administer them. I also learned how to grab and hold the lambs so others could administer the vaccines and bands for docking the tails and castration.
“Offroading” on a four-wheeler is not new to me and is something I grew up doing almost daily but the lessons in planning, herding and adapting to what the environment out here gives you have been invaluable. Learning proper handling and holding techniques for the lambs as well as handling, preparing, and administering of the medications and vaccines has been somewhat trial and error along with some sore arms and a sore leg thanks to being kicked once or twice.
At the end of this week I have come away with lessons in planning and preparation for herding and handling livestock, handling and holding techniques of livestock, and diseases and ailments of livestock. As well as vaccine and medication uses, dosage amounts, means of preparation and administration.
Submitted by: Cody Lancaster
Edits by: GrowinG Internship Team
