The new cattle are here!

Friday, April 22, 2011

We took receipt of 128 heifers today on a grazing contract. They are grade 1 to 1 1/2's and average just over 500 lbs. Most should gain well on grass alone although we are supplementing some just in case.

Started out a little rough because Ross, the driver, got stuck in our driveway. It is a bit narrow even after enlarging it a couple years ago. I forgot a 53 footer can only make it coming in from the west of the farm. He had to back up, take Deer Creek Cir. and come back. Ross hauled 98 head and we picked up the rest. Only a handfull looked a bit droopy so we'll antiobiotic them and keep a close eye.

Most are angus and angus cross with a few reds, greys and charlois in the bunch. They came just in time because our dominant forage here is Kentucky tall fescue and it rapidly matures come mid May. We do have lots of ladino white clover and then the common bermuda will come on by the end of May.

These cattle came from an excellent cow man named Bob Chandler over in Social Circle, Ga. Bob has been backgrounding cattle for years and we feel fortunate to be working with him. A gain deal like this is good for us at this time of year because we prefer to straighten out our own cattle in the fall of the year when it has cooled off. We plant winter annuals and the fescue is a super stockpile forage which prevents us from having to feed too much hay.

We are only working 8 horses on cattle so this bunch ought to keep us in fresh cows throughout the summer. We would love cutters, reined cowhorse folks and ranch sorters and team penners to come practice with us. We charge $65 per horse and you can stay as long as you want. Just give us a call and we'll plan on it.