Gathering Cattle

[randiliana]

We've been busy the last week or so, getting all the cattle back home from the various pastures they spent the summer in. Here's some photos,


Gathering the bred heifers,

Through the gate,


Heading out,


Found them,


There they are


And they're off....




No need to rush, they'll settle down.


Looking for the last of them

[randiliana]

Big country, and wow, there is still water out there too....


Getting the last of them


Heading across the summer fallow to the corrals.


Getting the cows out of the Community Pasture. Our cows are summered with 6 other patrons, we didn't help gather this year, but got there just as they were bringing the cattle into the corral, and in time to sort.

There they come


4 riders, a whole lot of cows...


Across the road towards the corral




Getting them there,

[randiliana]

It was a cool morning,


Almost in the corral


Waiting for the sort,




Next??


Up the alley to be sorted...


Waiting patiently


The sorting crew, done!

[randiliana]

All sorted, the truck is ours.


Our cows...


How we had to unload, as a Y on the hydrant froze the day before and broke, and flooded out in front of our loading chute....

[Swamp_walker]

Great pictures...im sure its alot of work but it looks like alot of fun! I just have to rattle a feed bag.

[MO_cows]

Gotta love that big open country! Are the cows branded, or different color tags, or what do you go by to sort them? Very interesting, thanks for taking us along!

[Mare Owner]

Thanks for sharing these pics! In a few days, we'll be bringing my cows home from summer pasture by truck. First year since I've been on the farm that we won't be driving them home on horses, kinda sad about it, just not the same.

[tnokie]

Wow thank you so much for all those beautiful pics. What a great way to live.I'm sure its very hard and tiresome work but the extra benefits must make up a lot for it! Lucky you!Enjoy what you have.

[randiliana]

Ah, it isn't too much work. The cows are used to being handled like this, and usually they go along pretty good. Hard to use a feed bag when the cows are out on several quarter sections, or even on several full sections. The farthest ones would never hear it.

We actually have better luck getting and keeping them in when we chase than by using a feed bucket. By the time the last of the herd gets in, the first ones are done eating whatever treat you give them.

[randiliana]

Originally Posted by MO_cows

Gotta love that big open country! Are the cows branded, or different color tags, or what do you go by to sort them? Very interesting, thanks for taking us along!

All the cows are branded, and they are also supposed to be tagged with the brand marked on the tag as well. Plus, the sorters are the owners, and most know their cattle fairly well.

Glad to take everyone along.

[randiliana]

Originally Posted by Mare Owner

Thanks for sharing these pics! In a few days, we'll be bringing my cows home from summer pasture by truck. First year since I've been on the farm that we won't be driving them home on horses, kinda sad about it, just not the same.

I would love to move them by horse, but it is about a 40 mile trip, so makes more sense to haul them. Once they come home we mostly use horses to move them around.