Canyons, Calves, and Quick Thinking
#bfrdpwy #aginternship #RightRisk
This week was definitely one of the more memorable weeks of my internship. We started out doing a lot of the everyday ranch work, like checking water, spraying weeds, and keeping an eye on the cow-calf pairs. Even though those jobs seem simple, I’m starting to realize how important they are to keeping the operation running smoothly. We also took a group of bulls to the sale yard, which gave me a better understanding of everything that goes into preparing cattle for marketing. Watching how everything was organized and handled helped me see how much planning happens behind the scenes before cattle ever leave the ranch.
One of the more hands-on experiences this week was doctoring a sick calf. It was another reminder that no two days on a ranch are ever the same. I learned how important it is to notice when something seems off because catching problems early can make a huge difference.
The biggest lesson of the week, though, came from something none of us planned. While we were checking cattle on horseback, we ended up getting stuck in a canyon after running into a huge area of fallen trees. There wasn’t an easy way through, so we spent quite a while walking up and down the canyon, leading our horses behind us while trying to find a safe route out. It definitely wasn’t how any of us expected the day to go, but it turned into one of the best learning experiences I’ve had so far. It reminded me that working with livestock and riding in rough country means things don’t always go according to plan, and sometimes you have to stay patient, think through the situation, and adapt instead of forcing your way through.
That experience made me appreciate how important problem-solving is in ranching. It’s easy to think the job is mostly taking care of cattle, but every day brings new challenges that require quick decisions and teamwork. Seeing everyone stay calm instead of getting frustrated showed me that experience and communication are just as valuable as physical work. I hope that as I continue learning, I’ll become more confident making decisions when unexpected situations come up.
After this week, I still have questions about how experienced ranchers make decisions so quickly in situations they’ve never seen before. I’m also interested in learning more about how they recognize health problems in calves so early and how they decide which treatment is best. Every week I realize there is so much knowledge that comes from years of experience, and I want to continue learning from the people around me by asking questions whenever I have the chance.
Looking ahead, I plan to keep building on everything I’ve learned this week. I want to pay closer attention to the little details during everyday jobs because I’m realizing those routine tasks are just as important as the bigger events. I also want to become more confident handling cattle, recognizing health concerns, and working through unexpected situations without panicking. This week reminded me that ranching is about being flexible, thinking ahead, and learning something new every single day, and I’m excited to keep gaining experience throughout the rest of my internship.
Submitted by: MacKenzie Jones
Edits by: GrowinG Internship Team
