Spring is the time all the cows are removed off the farming land, onto ground that isn’t being put into production. To the DELIGHT of Fuzzy and Boomer (for sure Fuzzy) we see many of the different herds being shifted from here to there.
The cows will stay on this new section of land until the summer pastures open up—sometime the first of June. By opening up I mean all the snow is melted and the BLM has given word that the ground is stable enough to support hooves. 🙂
Not all the cattle head to BLM ground, some head to their owners very own summer ranches. Ranchers are very good caretakers of their spring and summer pastures. The cattle are usually moved to what is called the “Spring Pastures” first.
This is the first ground that dries enough to support hooves…these Spring Pastures are owned by the ranchers….remember the word is OWNED! The cows are trailed up the roads and then onto the new lush green food, where they will graze and their calves will grow stronger. As the early spring moves into early summer the cows will then be trailed up to the SUMMER place—where ever that maybe for the rancher.
Our head gate is on another farmer’s land…when we started the water, for the first time the first year, the heifer’s had not be moved to the corrals and then onto the spring pastures.
They always ran over to see what we were up too… if you could understand cow language you just know they were say’n: ‘What ya doing?’ Just like any curious little kid!
Off now to get some stuff done. The day is going by fast and here I sit chatting away to you!
Your friend,
Linda
Life on a Colorado Farm 
Beautiful wide open country…. Between yours and John’s blog (http://drycrikjournal.com/), I am enjoying the view of another type of farming 🙂
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We spent part of the weekend moving our cattle around as well. Now that theres a little green grass they won’t hardly eat the hay that is put out. We’re going to have an abundance of hay left over this winter.
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PS
I love the header on your home page. It is so spring and refreshing.
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cattle are really curious creatures. 🙂
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I’m glad you make time to chat with us, but I understand how busy things can get on a farm. Have a great day.
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Wonder if the cattle know or care if/when they are being shifted from place to place???? ha…. Bet they are happy as long as there is FOOD for them.. (Just like me…Feed me and I’m happy!) ha
Glad Boomer and Fuzzy are so easily entertained.
Hugs,
Betsy
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The ranchers here drive their cowies up Adams Grade for the summer using ATVs, dogs and themselves on horses too. Its always exciting to see this as its loud and interesting. They sometimes have to chase errant cowies from our property and there is always a lot cow pies left behind. I see them on the high hills above us in the summer. They repeat the performance in the late fall. Basically, our area is dry land farming, horses and cattle. They grow canola too and the fields are amassed with bright yellow flowers. They plant winter wheat in the fall too. North of us they do legumes. Everything gets trucked down to the port in Lewiston heading for the Seattle/Portland area. The Columbia is joined by the Snake River. They also do excursion paddle wheel boats for visitors. Farming is the life blood of the country. Amen to the farmers !!!!
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Good looking cattle – hopefully plenty of fodder up on the mountain pastures.
I would presume so after the snow has melted otherwise it would be useless moving
the cattle up there!
I suppose BLM refers to the mountain area for the grazing?
Another fine, sunny day – hopefully Friday for ANZAC day will be fine and sunny nation wide for the remembrance services and marches.
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Nice to see how things will be moving with the seasons in your part of the world.
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Nice to see you’re back online.
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Enjoyed your pictures, Linda. Cattle sure are curious…they will run at first and then the next thing you know they are 6 feet away!! Love to watch them. I know they will enjoy the high country grazing until Fall. Hope irrigating is going well.
Blessings!
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This seems like a complicated process. I am so in awe of the knowledge all of you who produce food have.
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I’m about to turn mine out too. Just one more cow to have her calf. I got the water gap fence in on the west end today and will hang the charger tomorrow. Then the girls can go out and get off the hay field!
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I’ve always found cows to be interesting and fun to watch.
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