WIDE LOAD!

Heifer (a young cow before she has had her first calf) Lucy due to calve in 5 weeks.  She is just starting to make a little udder and is becoming quite affectionate - sometimes a little pushy in her attempt to get some lovin'.

RAIN DAY!

WooHoo!!!  1+" and still going!

To irrigate the upper hay fields I have to drive the 4-wheeler about 2 miles each way - partly along the highway.  I'm sure the tourists (and neighbors!) were impressed with my flowered umbrella.

THE BEGINNING

After many years of time consuming jobs that paid the bills, leaving very little energy for the good things, my boyfriend and life partner Rob, and I made a big change to create a more fulfilling and sustainable environment for our next life.  Moving from city life to remote ranch life where my grandparents once lived has been an incredible journey.  Our goal is to provide for ourselves, in an earth-friendly way.  

Prodded by friends and a desire to journal my life, I’ve joined the blogging world.  My goal is to post an entry at least once a week – the theme being:  “The Daily Rancher” – a view into my life here on the ranch and possibly, on occasion, off the ranch.

ROTATIONAL GRAZING

How boring does that sound?   But, it’s actually very interesting and gratifying to watch it work. 

From  an internet source:  Rotational grazing is a process whereby livestock are strategically moved to fresh paddocks, or partitioned pasture areas, to allow vegetation in previously grazed pastures to regenerate.

 We finally have the fencing in place to be able to do this with both the cows and the sheep.  The small pasture where the sheep currently get to graze has some very small, self-starter cottonwoods  we have protected with (a bit feeble) fencing.  For whatever reason – the grass is ALWAYS greener on the OTHER side of the fence and the sheep try their best to get at it.  So, to let them take advantage of this pasture, they need constant “sheepherding” to make sure they behave.  Not a bad way to spend an hour or two on a nice summer evening, in a lawn chair, with a glass of wine.  And, lots of other company.