Farmin' Friday

Yes, I've been missing in action...busy...but also just didn't have any umph to get a blog post done. Should I call this "Summer Hours" for blogging?

Well, it's definately spring...we've been helping brand calves and move pairs for our neighbors. We also got the new bull for our herd. No, we didn't buy one, we're trading pasture space for breeding...works good for us!

Remember Goof? Well, two reasons we didn't get him this year; One, he's Number Three's sire...so that wouldn't be good. Number two, he died last year. I was very sad to hear that, he was such a sweet ol' man. I always liked the photo below of him...it fits him to a T! Goof is also the sire of Tumbleweed and Paddy.

~RIP Goof~

So, let's introduce Herfy. He's just two years old and will make a great heifer bull for Number Three, and Annabelle and Ellie Mae are small enough that he shouldn't have any problems servicing them as well. Herfy will stay the summer and go back home in the fall to breed his owner's cows (they fall calve their herd). Since they wanted a place to put him, it worked out perfect for all of us! Another nice thing is that it's my understanding that mixing some Hereford into your herd is good...we might get some white faces next spring!

Herfy the bull is followed by Number Three...she likes him!

Lots of planting going on too...flowers and some garden items. We could very easily have frost and/or snow this time of year, so I can't get too carried away. But, the peas, onions and Brussels sprouts are in the ground. My tomatoes are transferred to larger pots and are in the green house.

Spring planting

More planting

We had 80 degree weather a week ago...and we've had the wood stove going for the past two days! I drove to Bend yesterday and came through a snow storm that dumped 3 inches of snow on a half mile stretch of the highway...so strange!!

We're supposed to help brand again tomorrow, but it's still raining today. It might be too slick to brand...we'll wait and see.

Whiskey's got his eyes on something!

Red Dog is lovin' ranch life...but I don't like having to bathe him every night!!! After changing irrigation, he's a mud ball from his chest down and of course he wants in the house (he's not spoiled you know). I took the scissors to his hind end and cut off all his pretty feathers (which were turning into dregs), and that's helped a bunch, but I still have to put him into the tub at night!

One happy ranch dog!

Speaking of dogs...Miss Cindy Sue got tangled up with another varmint...bob cat, badger...something brown in color (I didn't get a good look at it). Off to the vet on a Sunday evening for stitches. Whatever it was got her front leg and ripped the skin back in a triangle shape. Thankfully there wasn't any damage done to anything else.

I counted up and she's used up five lives...so if it's like a cat, she's only got four more! I know, I've said it before...she's gotta be on a shorter leash...literally~

Goof Has a Question for You~~

Does this trailer make my butt look big?

Sorry Goof...I couldn't help myself...but you sure make my four horse trailer look like a one horse trailer!!

Check out Farmchick's Farm Photo Friday blog hop too!

He's Baaaaaaack~The Big Guy!

~I always find it a thrill to unbutton a cowboy's shirt.~

~Peggy Springs 1899~

Well, it seems Annabelle and EllieMae were welcoming Goof's company after he backed himself out of our trailer yesterday afternoon. Yep, he backed himself out of the trailer...what a good boy! Goof's back for some "workin' time" with our "cowgirls!"

Goof the bull

But, before he made his way to the "cowgirls," he had to tear up a sagebrush with his big head! I'm sure glad we don't own a bull...they love to tear things up...like fences and such. I don't know whether he's makin' himself purdy 'n smellin' better or just showin' off!

I guess we have plenty of sagebrush...go ahead Goof...kill it!

I took the opportunity to get them all in the same photo for a family portrait. L-R Goof, Annabelle, EllieMae, Black Calf, and Number Three.

The Family Portrait

Since Number Three will be bred next year, this will be Goof's last visit (we'll have to lease a different bull). We hope to get another heifer next year to add to the herd. I'd like a heifer out of EllieMae this time. She puts out awfully nice calves.

Enjoy your stay with us Goof! Get 'er done!

Goof Goes Home

~A cowgirl gets up early in the morning, 

decides what she wants to do,

and does it.~

~Marie Lords 1861~

Goof came to get a job done...and he did...now he's on to greener pastures up in the forest to finish up his year breeding for some fall calves.

Goof is a great big baby says MaryLee.

Goof recognized MaryLee and followed her truck up the driveway...he couldn't wait to get in the trailer!

Hope we see ya next year Goof!!

We're hoping for heifers next year. I can't tell you all the great stuff about Goof like MaryLee can, but his semen is shipped all over...he has some sort of high quality tender gene...blah, blah, blah...you'll have to ask MaryLee!!

But, he was a pretty good boy while he stayed with us...only took out one fence (green weeds looked really good on the other side of course)! Hopefully, he'll be back next year to do the same job! Can't wait to see these babies in the spring!