Ranch Managers

Before my Dad left on his mission he did a few quick rundowns of everything on the farm.

The boys had a chance to do the hay, feed the cows, go over the equipment, etc..

My dad was always there to oversee and tell them what to do.

Well...my dad left and they were turned into the ranch managers over night.

The first couple of months were pretty easy.

Most of the cows were out on the Arizona Strip, with just a few here to go feed each day.

The beginning of March they got to go out and get the cows and their baby calves and bring them back.

They got to vaccinate, tag, tattoo, brand, sort, document...

Of course they've had help. Grandpa, Tom, Bill, Garrett and some friends, Zach, and Shan are all a big help.

-Tattooing the calves-

Dave was tattooing the ears

Devan was giving the shots

After they got all of this done it was time to for the artificial insemination.

Luckily they had a professional come help with this part.

There's a lot that goes into the exact time of the A.I.

It's just like in a girl ovulating and having A.I. at the right time.

After they get the cows all done they let the bull loose. ha It's party time for him!

A couple weeks after this was all done it was time to cut the hay for the first time without my Dad.

Next thing we know, we look out the back window and our good friend Jim Ence is cutting the hay. 

He is part owner on the swather and loves it. It was SO nice of him.

Of course it rained(it's not good when it rains on the cut hay), so they had to wait for the hay to dry out.

Then it was time to bail. It was a pretty cold morning.

Devan started bailing the first field while Dave and Grandpa pitch forked the hay on the other field.

I got a few pictures of them doing this.

After they got it all bailed and got one field hauled to the corrals the hauler broke.

With a phone call and some help from cousins and uncles, they hauled the other field by hand.

I'm grateful for what this ranching is doing to my little city boy. :)

I think we're all realizing how much work being a rancher is.

They have a pretty good system though. 

Devan feeds the cows in the morning and Dave feeds in the afternoon.

If they can't make it the other one fills in.

I'm so glad they have each other.

I'm also glad that my Dad is just a phone call away.