The Start of Branding Season

#bfrdpwy #aginternship #RightRisk

This week revolved around branding calves and more fence repair, and fence building preparation. We branded 40 calves, after gathering the pairs on horseback and sorting on foot. Once sorted, the calves were heel roped and drug to where we branded, vaccinated and sprayed for flies and ticks. This branding will serve as a good practice run for following brandings on neighboring operations as well.

The major points that I learned were new techniques of sorting and gathering cattle for branding or other purposes. We used multiple pens to let cattle gather and separate naturally between pairs and yearlings in order to make it easier to isolate the calves on their own. Additionally, I learned new ways to flank calves for branding from either side of the rope when the calf is being drug.

One idea that I would challenge from this week is the working and branding of calves separate from their mothers. I have seen many studies of cortisol levels of calves and their stress is the least when they are with their mothers while they are being worked. Whether for branding or just doctoring in the pasture it seems it is best to work calves unseparated, although it does require more work.

One question that I still have is how different operations choose their vaccine regimen. I am always curious as to how each ranch chooses how to deal with whatever issues or illnesses the environment throws at their herd.

I plan to use what I have learned this week in the future when I am faced with obstacles or challenges pertaining to the types and branding and fencing I have been doing here. If I am faced with a problem in fencing or sorting/gathering in the future I will have these experiences and skillsets gained from this internship in order to help me navigate any problems that I face.

Submitted by: Colby Barker
Edits by: GrowinG Internship Team