How many hours per week do you tend to work on average? (Wrong answers only.) Join the discussion on Twitter. May is a busy month. As the days and nights finally begin to warm, things really kick into high gear. Daylight hours become longer and still, I find myself struggling to fit everything into the day. … Continue reading Sharing seasons of life through advocacy
We are finally seeing some green grass here in Montana. Yesterday, the mercury reached 80 degrees for the first time this year and the nights are beginning to warm above freezing in the Helena Valley. Winter was extremely dry for us with barely 24 inches of snow, most of it coming early in the season … Continue reading 2015 Irrigation Season Begins, Gophers Invade
My first race of the season is in the books! Fortunately, I’m off on the right foot and am already looking forward to more. After accomplishing my first 100-mile month in March (106), I’m feeling good about 2015. On Saturday, I ran the Early Bird 5-mile run here in town. It wasn’t too large – … Continue reading First race of the season – Early Bird 5 Mile Run
How does the old joke go? If you walk into the sale barn cafe, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to hear a someone griping about the cattle markets or the weather. Two subjects that are ever-changing, and neither will be just right. Too much moisture, or temperature swings to wide. If we sell … Continue reading Cattle Market Trends, Seasonality and Resources
We’ve kicked off May with a grand start here in the Helena Valley. And by grand start, I mean wet boots, soaked clothes, and the sore muscles that come with moving irrigation pipe and cleaning out ditches. I don’t live on many acres, but we still grow some alfalfa for horse hay on the place, and … Continue reading Montana Irrigation Season Starts with Wet Boots and Green Alfalfa
Everyone has a different calving season. Some have none at all. Some folks begin Spring calving in January, others wait until March or even May. Then you have Fall calving season that can begin in September or October. With so much difference, what’s the right answer for everyone? There isn’t one! And if someone tells … Continue reading Calving Season – What works for your operation?
Earlier this week, I was busy in the barn at one of our farms despite the humidity and rain. We were working cattle and pulling bulls from the cow herds. The calves were receiving their first round of vaccinations (2 shots – one to protect against 7 different Clostridiums and Pinkeye, another for Respiratory diseases), … Continue reading Breeding Season coming to a close
In the month of December, all it takes to get a good headache going is to hit the roads in town, never mind the Wal-Mart parking lot or grocery aisles. The Holidays are also prime time for the five-finger discount. So what are shop lifters snatching from the shelves? The number one item might surprise … Continue reading Tis The Season – Beef Aim of Five Finger Discount
Like I told ya’ll when I turned out the bulls in March, they have 75 days to have their fun, then it’s back to the bull lot for the boys. Well that 75 is up this weekend and it’s time to bring the boys home. Grulla and I have been getting an early start each … Continue reading Gathering Bulls At The End Of Breeding Season
Not much of a Photo Friday this week. There’s been some long hours in the hay field and a bit of time on the brushhog as well. Unfortunately this has included plenty of time with breakdowns, being covered in grease. We’ve just 1 more field to cut to finish up the first round of hay … Continue reading Photo Friday: Hay Season Fun
