While I had posted about our 2nd annual cattle drive earlier this year, we actually squeezed in another one this summer! Recently, we noticed that the Summer Pasture was eaten down significantly. The herd looked a little thin (or more thin than we'd prefer). We began feeding them round bales (something we usually reserve for only the winter months) to keep their diets healthy. It became clear however, that we'd need to figure out another way to keep up with their feeding needs.
Where they are located at Summer Pasture, there are other sections of grass and open space available - we were kindly offered a second location to fence in and utilize for feeding the cows while the first area had time to grow back in and recover. This was incredibly generous of the landowner. We were thrilled at the opportunity to continue feeding them there, with ample grasses, and the tranquility they are used to at this private location. The only challenge was how to get them to it...
It wasn't far enough to justify loading them up, a couple at a time in our small horse trailer, to drive them a tenth of a mile or less to the next pasture. It would be a tedious and frustrating task loading and off loading them so close by, repetitively backing the trailer in and out of spaces. It just didn't seem worth it, especially while we don't have a livestock trailer yet, large enough to take a good portion of the herd at a time. The only other option would be to do a real life cattle drive! Moving the cows by foot - alongside them, just like the ol' days. While we do have a cow horse, we were a little intimidated, this being our first time. We didn't want to incur more drama so for this round, we opted to let our pretty Penny stay home. In the future, we think we could handle it and she would make a great asset!
We rounded up a willing, kind group of volunteer ranch hands for the day. Everyone came out ready to get up close and personal with the cattle. We really didn't know if it would take an hour, or 5. We tried to think ahead about how to manage the movement of the herd. We used everyone's cars to block the roadways or larger openings along the path that the cattle could take off down.
Cattle move as a herd - where the leader goes, they all generally try to go. If you spook them, they'll run faster. It is always better to move slow and take your time with cattle. We used Rancher Rob's flatbed farm truck to set the pace - my mom behind the wheel leading he pack!
We opened the gates, and Rancher Rob walked ahead with a bucket of grain - myself and the buckaroo kids all sitting on the flatbed cattle calling and shaking our grain bag - a little bit of bribery to get them moving along.
The herd poured out of the chute, only half of them for the first pass. Slow and steady mom drove ahead down the trail they were to follow. They went right along, and folks followed to sides and behind them as best they could, making sure none of the cattle thought about heading backwards.
As we approached the new pasture, there was an opening for them to enter into plentiful grasses, taller than most adults. The grass towered so high, as soon as the cattle entered the pasture, they seemingly disappeared. Only one cow opted to run sideways past the gate opening. I hopped from the bed of the truck jogging after it, when another hand pulled up in front of the cow on his tractor, blocking the escape route. The cow finally turned, as our bull beckoned from the inside of the fence line that he'd better get on the right side of the fence!
Hoots and hollerin' went on in the background - everyone excited at our first success as the loose cow went where he was supposed to be.
We backed our way over to the original pasture for round two. This time, more confident and prepared. We blocked openings identified in the first go round and successfully managed to get the rest of the herd members where they needed to go!
The cattle have been smitten, working their way through breakfast, lunch and dinner on fresh pasture. We love the ability to rotate pastures and keep the cattle being fed as naturally as possible. They love to graze and seem content exploring their new surroundings.
We learned and feel ready to do future cattle drives the old fashioned way! While this time went smoothly, working livestock can be unpredictable. We were very glad to have an ample amount of ranch hands for the day, because you never know when things can go haywire!
Next time we'll plan on making a celebratory day of it - DR burgers and all! Maybe even a Buckin' Beer or two!
Thank you all for your support and willingness to help! We couldn't have done it without you!
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