Weather: Warmer again but nights remain cool and crisp.
Where: Cow Pairs and open coming 3’s (223) EG-6
Yearling Heifers (117) EG-11
Heifer pairs (55 + 6 bulls) in LS-1
Yearling steers (127): Alex’s
Bulls (17): all with cows.
Supplement: Same (3 Protein; 1 mineral; ½ salt)
Sales:
Ads/Splits/Paddock:
Moves:
CPs: 1 split
HPs: 1 split
Heifer yearlings: no split
 
Yikes. Cows break out into EG-7 crossing wire dropped during monitoring. The drift in Pelan’s cut dryland hay field. With dogs Sage and Max, we correct things quickly and trap cows on new water on ridge. In the afternoon I gather remaining cows and move new split working east in EG-6. Cows no worse but I am a bit tired.

​Weather: Just a bit of rain and cooler
Where: Cow Pairs and open coming 3’s (223) EG-6
Yearling Heifers (117) EG-11
Heifer pairs (55 + 6 bulls) in LS-1
Yearling steers (127): Alex’s
Bulls (17): all with cows.
Supplement: Same (3 Protein; 1 mineral; ½ salt)
Sales:
Ads/Splits/Paddock:
Moves:
CPs: 2 splits
HPs: 1 split
Heifer yearlings: no split
 
Sick calf group is stabilizing.

​Weather: Overcast with chance of rain but never happened
Where: Cow Pairs and open coming 3’s (223) EG-6
Yearling Heifers (117) EG-11
Heifer pairs (55 + 6 bulls) in LS-1
Yearling steers (127): Alex’s
Bulls (17): all with cows.
Supplement:
Sales:
Ads/Splits/Paddock:
 
CPs: 2 splits
HPs: 1 splits
Yls: No split
 
Tyler checks out Ventenata (annual grass weed) in EG-7. Could be a serious problem, Ryan and Cayse travel to Alex’s to vaccinate steers. One more calf died.

Weather: Some overcast and cooler and a comforting breeze.
Where: Cow Pairs and open coming 3’s (223) EG-6
Yearling Heifers (117) EG-11
Heifer pairs (55 + 6 bulls) in LS-1
Yearling steers (127): Alex’s
Bulls (17): all with cows.
Supplement:
Sales:
Ads/Splits/Paddock:
 
CPs: 2 splits
HPs: 1 split
Yls: 1 split
 
I have been seeing a Golden eagle perched on the same electric pole on way to the cows. Very cool. The picture below is of a healthy and robust saltbush in the recent split with the cows is a harbinger of great opportunity. I have been seeing pockets of Gardner Saltbush showing up in different parts of the ranch. If this plant can be so healthy at this place, why could this plant not scatter across the whole paddock. Saltbush is a semi-shrub that is very high in protein and energy. If our silty to clayey soils can support these plants wherever they could occur, it would add a huge layer of protein and biomass to our range. I think it is happening.

Weather: And, continued warm-not hot.
Where: Cow Pairs and open coming 3’s (223) EG-6
Yearling Heifers (117) EG-11
Heifer pairs (55 + 6 bulls) in LS-1
Yearling steers (127): Alex’s
Bulls (17): all with cows.
Supplement:
Sales:
Ads/Splits/Paddock:
 
CPs: 1 split.
HPs: 1 split
Yls: no splits
 
A surprising and diverse number of birds of prey around the ranch: Swainsons, Ferruginous, Red Tails, Harriers, Turkey Vultures, Kestrels, Prairie falcons, Merlins, and Golden and bald eagles.
 

​Weather: Warmer
Where: Cow Pairs and open coming 3’s (223) EG-6
Yearling Heifers (117) EG-11
Heifer pairs (55 + 6 bulls) in LS-1
Yearling steers (127): Alex’s
Bulls (17): all with cows.
Supplement:
Sales:
Ads/Splits/Paddock:
 
CPs: 2 splits.
HPs: 1 split
Yls: no splits
 

​Weather: Warmer
Cow Pairs and open coming 3’s (223) EG-6
Heifer Pairs (55) in LS-1
Yearling Heifers (117) EG-11
Yearling steers (127): Alex’s
Bulls (17): all with cows.
Supplement:
Sales:
Ads/Splits/Paddock:
 
CPs: 2 splits.
HPs/yearlings: Wade and Tee help cut heifer pairs and bulls out of yearlings. August sickness show up in Heifer’s calves. Two die and we doctor eight. We bring heifers home and replan to graze LS-1 where we can watch the calves closely.
Yls: stay put with no splits.
 

​Weather: Mild and nice
Where: Cow Pairs and open coming 3’s (223) EG-6
Heifer Pairs (55) Yearling Heifers (117) EG-11
Yearling steers (127): Alex’s
Bulls (17): all with cows.
Supplement:
Sales:
Ads/Splits/Paddock:
 
CPs: 2 splits
HPs/yearlings: no split.
 
Attended and ACES workshop with Cooper Hibbard on winter grazing, Cooper emphasis two key principles: 1) two years of consecutive growing season rest, and 2) apply as much non-selective grazing as your context will allow. Other big point, find or develop the most functional cattle that complement your grazing system.

Weather: Cool morning and pleasant day.
Where: Cow Pairs and open coming 3’s (223) EG-6
Heifer Pairs (55) Yearling Heifers (117) EG-11
Yearling steers (127): Alex’s
Bulls (17): all with cows.
Supplement:
Sales:
Ads/Splits/Paddock:
 
CPs: 1 split.
HPs/yearlings: 1 split.
 
Lot of calls today so I give cows enough grass for a full day. Tyler continues with single move days for younger cows and helps Ryan for WFF workday with volunteers this Saturday. Dana is working regularly on harvesting maturing produce from the garden. Almost every day I check/move cows, a lone Prairie Falcon is perched on the same power pole. Such a cool resident bird.