Moving Day

Yesterday was Labor Day.  And, we all certainly labored.

When Glenn and Becky asked me to help as the third body, fifth and sixth hands, I knew the job coming up was going to be involved.  Otherwise, I would not be asked.  I have been known to be more trouble than help.

Yesterday, was the BIG Moving Day.  Not for us, but for most of our cattle herd.

After working over three months, every day, usually with a crew but sometimes alone, to build lots and lots of fence and a water system on our new farm, Glenn decided the farm was ready for its new occupants…our cattle.

Glenn and Becky separating the herd...

cattle at back stay at Mountain Glen Farm and the cattle in the foreground are moving to the Jonestown farm

trailer in waiting for its first load of cattle

The older cows and their calves and our largest bull (the younger cows and their calves along with our young bull remain at Mountain Glen Farm) were loaded on our stock trailers and driven the 10 minutes to the new farm.  The entire process of separating, loading, driving and unloading took about five hours and five trailer loads.  I helped with the loading and tried to document the ear tags numbers of each relocating animal the best I could. Either heads kept moving or the ear tag numbers were faded or covered over with dried manure.  Glenn drove the newest trailer and Becky drove the vintage trailer. 

The process was slow. The loading area did not work well with the new trailer as the trailer was too tall.  The cows did not want to load.  One cow even tried to jump the fence to get away but Glenn physically stopped her progress and she retreated back into the loading area.  Glenn had problems with his truck as it got stuck in 4-wheel drive which was not helpful once we got on the highway.  Becky’s trailer was dragging its low-mounted jack as she tried to move up the steep hill out of the pasture. But, thank goodness, those were all minor snags.

at the Jonestown farm to unload

Once at the new farm, the cattle unloaded quickly and happily.  They were initially unloaded in the lot at the old barn.  This lot adjoins a neighbor whose steers greeted our cows at the shared fence line.  After much sniffing and smelling, the interest between the groups waned fast.  The new stock tank was easily found and the cows drank water from our new system.  Success all around.

Becky double checks my list of ear tag numbers of the 'movers'

After the first two trailer loads were safely unloaded, we returned for the next group.  At this time, some cows and their calves were separated, on different farms, and we wanted to unite them soon.  Mama cows get a bit anxious without their calves nearby.

As the last trailer was unloaded, all the cows found their offspring and they were, once again, content.

This morning, Glenn went back to check and to move the Jonestown herd from the barn lot into the first, newly-fenced pasture.  Grass is plentiful, so these critters should be well-satisfied with their food supply.  (Note: When we purchased this farm, the previous tenant had to move his cattle off immediately and we were able to rest the abused pastured for a full four months before bringing our cattle over.)

Glenn had 10 pastures permanently fenced. These large pastures will be further divided into smaller pastures with temporary electric fencing.  Our pasture management is fully rotational, so the animals get moved onto fresh grass and forage every day or two.  The pastures never get over-grazed. Over time, the pastures will continue to improve.

And, our cattle will come to know this farm as their home.