Branding Time
For years I remember my dad saying that after the first rain it was time to get the calves worked and branded. It used to be pretty simple because it seems like when I was younger the seasons came and went like they were supposed to. Now it seems that rain is sporadic and doesn’t come as we like it. However, we always start to brand after the first rain. Dad said it cleaned the air , settled the dust and made for a favorable environment to work the calves.
About a week ago we were blessed with about a half inch of rain that watered our thirsty hills. It made everything fresh and clean and sure enough it prepared us for branding time! Now our family isn’t like many, our brandings are really quite simple, no fanfare or big gathering, just family, getting the job done efficiently. Each day ends with a home cooked meal prepared by mom. Ravioli, burgers with all the fixings or steak seems to be the favorites.
We take a few days to do a field or two a day and all calves are run through a calf table. For those “ off ranch” friends following along I like to refer to this as a small examination table for the calves. They are led up through an alley my dad built and then enter the small chute made especially for their size. Once secure inside the chute the calves are given their vaccinations preventing them from getting various respiratory diseases and treatment for other parasites and such. The calves are branded with our family brand and if they are a bull calf, castrated. With the efficiency of an experienced team, each calf is on the table for a minute to two minutes depending on if they are a heifer or bull. Moms are close by and once released the calves head out to find mom , many times eager for some milk.
It is important for us to have a good vaccination program to get the calves off to a good start. In the spring prior to marketing the calves they will get booster vaccinations to keep them in tip top shape. A solid health program is very important to our family ranch as our hope is to provide a healthy calf that flourishes not only on our home place but also when it leaves the ranch and heads into its next chapter whether it be for someone else’s replacements for their herd or feeding operation.
Branding time always makes me miss my dad just a bit more than usual. I know he continues to look down on my brother and I and guide us in the decisions we make. We remember his words of wisdom and follow his advice all the while adding our own tid bits to make branding week smooth and hassle free.
We finished up this year and as dad used to say, brandings all done now it can rain !
Questions about ranch life or branding practices? Send me an email, always happy to visit !
Until next time…….
Celeste
