Cattle, Calves, and the Value of Planning

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This is one of those weeks that just flew by, and you sit looking back at the end and wonder what just happened. It started out slow, servicing tractors and getting some invasive weeds knocked down in the flood fields.

We got several groups moved over the following days. While we were trailing groups, it left good opportunities to ride through for health and get some calves doctored for pink eye. Got a heifer that was lame up high in her shoulder. I assumed foot rot, but once we got her down, that was not the case. It goes to show to wait to see the entire situation and know your problem before you think you know it, because, at least in my case, I’m usually wrong lest I understand a situation’s detail and the picture it presents.

We started a 7-day timed AI with heat detection protocol this week. Fortunately, it was a smaller group. You have to see for a lot of planning if you are wanting to run the whole herd through. Even all your replacements on bigger outfits would be tough. Up on the sage benches, I was packing up all the water systems for the season, for the allotments we got off of this week. More permanent systems are beneficial if capital is there, land is secure, and systems are proven, but until then, it is safe to play the short game.

As I look back to find a theme and what I learned from the week, I think a lot sits in the realm of planning. What I talked about getting done seems like a miscellaneous list, which it is, but all of this is built into the overarching goals of getting the pounds put on those calves, improving land health, both grass and farmground, and supporting people and learning from each other.

Submitted by: Jace_Miller
Edits by: GrowinG Internship Team

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