Branding Time !

Branding time is finally here. We now have about 500 + calves born and we are branding and vaccinating groups of 150.  We gather them around the pastures and bring them to the corrals to do the branding and vaccinating process. After branding we put them out in pastures where the grass is beginning to grow before we turn them out in the Forest Permits in early June. During this time, Nick and Brian also check all the fences as well as start planting the hay fields. Never a dull moment!

On horseback to gather cows to corral

 Our crew consists of Nick, Brian, Sarah,  Robin and Matt during this gathering.

Sorting out Bulls from the Fall cow group

Moving to Ray's Allotment Corral

Another "Colorful Cow Calf Pair!"

Tyler

Branding Crew this day was Tyler, Erin, Nick, Stephanie and Robin

Erin pushing calves in chute

Way to go Erin!! Stephanie supervising and helping close chute as well as vaccinating calves. 

Tyler and Erin putting calves in chute

Nick Branding, Robin Vaccinating

Nick Branding, Stephanie and Robin Vaccinating
Awesome crew this day!!!

Cows finally out in Spring Pastures,  Grass is finally Green!

Grow Grass!!

Lovely Green Grass & Trees

Beautiful Spring Aspen Trees by Canadian Border

Happy Cow!

Even some Elk around!

June will bring the season to turn out the cow pairs in the National Forest Permits as well as finishing planting the hay fields. This is also another extremely busy time of the year!

Cynthia Nelson, Nelson Ranch

Spring Forward!! Calving in Full Swing!

This Tractor has 2900 hours! Way to go!

Feeding Time 

   This time of the year, we are calving out 435 cows and 154 heifers.    Today we now have 285 calves born. We get about 10 to 15 a day now. Calving is definitely in full Swing!

Waiting to calve

Getting Ready to Calve

Cows are in the Calving pen, about 15 acres. Here they are checked every 3 to 4 hours round the clock to check for any                                              problems.

Another one born

Great MOM!

Cows are fed in the morning and then the calves are tagged and given 3 vaccinations to prevent diseases.

Brian and Nick Tagging calves

Wow, look at me!

Hiding in the feeder

Sleeping in the feeder

Warming Up.

Sometimes we bring in a calf that needs warming up by the fireplace in the house.

     

Matching Mom and Calf

Another Matching Pair

I am Cute!

Colorful Calves, This one is a Crossbred "Brahma Baby!"

Love Those Ears!

Eagle Friends are also hanging around watching over the Calving Pen.

       We will continue to calve out from Feb to May and then Branding season starts!

Cynthia Nelson, Nelson Ranch

Calving Season is Officially Here!

Calving Season is Starting!

Last week Brian and Nick were getting the calving pens and barns ready to bring the cows closer to home to be able to check them every 4 hours round the clock for the calving process. 

Pen behind house

Heifer pen

First calf born Feb 12th!!

Mother of the First calf of the season #70

The next phase is to bring all the cows home from the adjacent pastures to the Calving pens.  On Friday,Valentines Day! Feb 14th,  Nick and Sarah rode horses while Brian led the Large group of 435 cows with the Tractor and a bale of hay to the main corral to give them their Scourguard shot prior to calving. 

Nick Riding Rose, Sarah on Frank

It was a very windy, snowy and cold morning that day.

Brian leading cows with Tractor across the Road

Sarah behind herd on Frank

Made it across the Road

On the way to the Main Corral!! All 435 of them!

The weather finally got nice and sunny, Brian and Tyler pushing cows to the chute where Sarah and Nick will give them their shots.

Sarah is the "Pole Girl" 

Nick giving the shots

All done, ready to Calve in the next 2 Months!!

Yesterday the weather was wet and cold in the am and the next calf born was brought in by the house fire to "Warm up"!

Feeling much better!

Nice and Warm by the fire!

Back with "MOM"

Calving season is now officially here. We have about 435 cows and 154 heifers to calve out in the Next 2 months. 5 calves are already born and many more to come! The cows and heifers are checked every 4 hours  round the clock for the next 2 months for any problems. The calves are usually tagged with the mother's number and given thier first shots.  Will update process in the next 2 months!! Already wishing for Spring and warmer weather to Arrive !

Cynthia Nelson, Nelson Ranch

Jan/Feb : Winter Feeding Before Calving.

Winter Feeding Time on the Ranch

Up on the Mountain top!

Feeding with Trailer

Going down the road to feed

Loading trailer

Winter Feeding Time
 Howdy!  Feeding 720 mouths takes almost most of the day for the Nelson Crew!  Brian and Nick start about 630 am in the morning and  feed to about 1 pm.  It takes about 14 large square bales and 17 large round  bales of Hay and Straw daily. After feeding various other tasks are getting done to prepare for the hectic calving season which starts Feb 19th this year. In addition to hay and straw the cows get minerals and a protein molasses supplement. Next Friday about 180 of the young Heifers will be getting their first vaccine to prevent brucelosis disease.

This year the snow is not as deep as it was last year. It still takes most of the day to feed all the cows in the various pasture groups. Calving will start in mid February and then never a dull moment!  
Cynthia Nelson, Nelson Ranch