Being a man is to spend yourself for God and others.
Thursday, February 3, 2022
Sale Barn
With all our cows in the cooler, we thought we better start looking for more. We've had good look buying directly from the producer, but I'd like to find a few lighter cows too. So we took a shot at the barn in Buffalo.
If nothing else it was to be a good experience for Gerry. I also was able to run into a buddy from the Big Horn Basin who gave us some sales ring tips.
You can't go to a cattle auction without getting some homemade grub. Shepherd's pie was the special.
Short sale. This can be a pretty dead time of the year for sale barns. Once calving season comes on there'll be more of a market for our heiferettes.
So we turned around and headed for Hulett to celebrate Mass.
No harm no foul. Just give me an excuse to roll over to Buffalo. Good folks and beautiful countryside. Hmmm, wonder what we can do next...?
Wednesday, February 2, 2022
Tuesday, February 1, 2022
Monday, January 31, 2022
Sunday, January 30, 2022
Saturday, January 29, 2022
Ranchin Steady
We usually ranch pretty hard on Fridays and yesterday was no exception. The only problem is that we worked ourselves out of a job.
The mission was simple, round up the herd on the south 40, peal off Ricky, and bring him home.
But if you're gonna ranch all day, you need to start off with a ranch breakfast from Lula Belle's.
Mollie and Chief were ready to work.
No need to show off my bronc skills, I'll just warm Mollie up instead.
Just point Chief in the right direction and hang on partner.
There they be. Six heifers and Ricky. It was nothing short of cowboy getting this wild bunch in the corral. Just remember buddy, when working cattle with Fr. Bryce, take nothing that is said personal.
God bless him. Ricky was given to us by a family up north. He was a dwarf and a little ornery. We took good care of him over the past 5 months, but his time had come. Gerry put a nice shot on him.
He'll make some nice little steaks. Well done ol' son.
Beneath these western skies.
By the time we cut up some jerky meat and ate some cow heart, the day was shot and we were too. Ain't nothing better than being spent from a hard day's work. Especially when it involves feeding America. The only problem is that we shot our last cow. Guess it's time to get some more. On to the next one.
Field Trip
Part of Gerry's hope in coming to America is to get to know some ranchers and how they manage their operations. No better opportunity than Don Kinstetter's outfit north of Moorcroft.
Don's my go to on many matters. He loves to talk about the land and his faith. The sun setting on the Crook County prairie made for some exquisite imagery as we roamed around the country side.
Don uses holistic management techniques on the ranch. I like to say of guys like him that they raise grass and manage it with cattle.
It's been a tough couple years for everybody in northeast Wyoming. But by strategic pasture rotation, the Kinstetters have been able to navigate the drought without decreasing their herd.
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Don balances his ranch responsibilities by hanging out in his wood shop, building things mainly for the Church. That’s holistic life management.
He's fairly well cultured too. He wanted Gerry to cook some Paella, a Spanish staple.
Not bad ol' son.
One thing I love most about ranching is that no two operations are the same. Each one is tailored to the specific advantages and limitations that the rancher has to work with. Don has maximized their ranch's potential by not just thinking of the bottom dollar but by considering all aspects involved in ranching, family, land, water, fences, the future, sanity, cattle... The list goes on. But the real secret to his success is putting God and his Catholic faith first. If you learn anything on this field trip, partner, I hope it's to seek ye first the Kingdom of God... then all these things will be added unto you.
Thursday, January 27, 2022
Wednesday, January 26, 2022
Indoor Ranching
Spring is on its way, so we thought we better start to get some miles under the horses. Ryan and Anna Huxtable invited us to join them at the barn down in Wright to ride around inside, outside of the weather.
To our surprise, the horse were eager to go after four months of vacation.
This place is cool. Not sure we've ever rode in such class.
Looking good ol' son. I think Chief and you will make a good pair. Wear that hat with pride, even if it is January.
On to the next one.
Cleaning up after ourselves is a small price to pay for such a great experience. Riding indoors during the winter months makes keeping the horses fresh enjoyable for them and us. Don't get used to it though, partner. We've got some real cowboying on the horizon.
Tuesday, January 25, 2022
Conversion
Converts to the Catholic faith, like visitors from another country, help us appreciate what we already have.
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