Early Spring Herd Update

We are currently riding herd checking for babies hitting the ground. The bulls have been gathered and tested for breeding purposes and soundness. We will start putting them out into the cow herds in two weeks - break out the cigarettes.

All of last years heifers are being bred for a early calving next fall as we speak. These heifers are being bred to the new bulls we purchased at Camp Cooley out in Texas.

The pastures are being dragged for the purpose of spreading the piles of manure across the ground letting the nitrogen break up and fertilize the soil. This will take about two months in between cow workings that will start in early April. Soil moisture is fairly decent, but more would be welcome. All the fertilizer has been put out and is starting to pay off with some growth of tender forage for cattle. Hay production will begin in May. We currently have about twenty rolls left, which is just right to where we don't have any left to go bad.

There have been a lot of controlled burns this season. These fires have help to reduce the risk of wildfires and also help establish new growth for cattle and provide a habitat for many species of animals.

Next time we talk there will be a whole bunch of steers on the ranch along with some of the best heifers in Manatee County -- after we finish with a long, tiresome but rewarding cow working.