Hailstorms, Water Tanks, and Ranch Adaptability
#bfrdpwy #aginternship #RightRisk
This week was one of those weeks where it felt like something new happened every day. We spent a lot of time up on the mountain fixing fence, and what started out as a normal day turned into getting caught in a hailstorm. It came in fast, and by the time we headed back down the mountain the roads were flooding from all the rain. It definitely made for an interesting ride home and reminded me that working outside means you have to be ready for whatever the weather decides to do. Even though it wasn’t the easiest day, it was one I’ll probably remember for a long time.
When we weren’t fixing fence, we were moving cows from pasture to pasture and checking through the herd to make sure nobody was sick or injured. I’m getting more comfortable spotting things that don’t look quite right, and I’ve realized how much attention to detail goes into taking care of cattle. We also spent time spraying weeds, which wasn’t the most exciting job, but it made me think about how much work goes into keeping pastures healthy before the cattle ever graze them.
One of the biggest challenges this week was dealing with water shortages on the mountain. Some of the floats had broken, so the tanks weren’t filling like they were supposed to. Before we could even fix everything, we had to pull a few calves out of the empty water tanks where they had climbed in and couldn’t get back out. After getting the floats repaired, we had to wait around for the tanks to slowly fill back up. It really showed me how something that seems small can turn into a much bigger problem if it isn’t caught early. Water is something the cattle depend on every day, so keeping those systems working is just as important as anything else we do.
While we were waiting for the tanks to fill, we found out that one of the bulls is actually really friendly. He walked right over wanting scratches and acted more like a big dog than a bull. It definitely wasn’t what I expected, and it was a funny reminder that every animal has its own personality. Moments like that make the long days a little more enjoyable and keep things interesting.
The more time I spend here, the more I realize there is always something new to learn. Every job seems simple at first, but once I ask questions there’s usually a lot more thought behind why things are done a certain way. This week made me curious about how they manage water systems across such a large area, how they decide when it’s time to rotate cattle to another pasture, and what they do to stay ahead of problems before they become emergencies. It has made me realize that ranching is a lot more about planning and paying attention than I originally thought.
Looking back, this week wasn’t just about checking off jobs on a list. It was about learning to adapt when things don’t go according to plan, whether that’s getting caught in a hailstorm, fixing broken water systems, or dealing with whatever comes up during the day. Every week I feel a little more confident with the work, but I also realize how much there still is to learn. That’s one of my favorite parts of this internship because every day gives me another chance to learn something I didn’t know before.
Submitted by: MacKenzie Jones
Edits by: GrowinG Internship Team
