Sunday, July 10, 2016

And Thar She Blows -

Upon returning home from looking at the park's little crisis, we grabbed a snack, cleaned the kitchen, (using the water) and prepared to be in for the night, as it was almost 10:00pm.  We heard a huge noise which caused us to investigate outside, walking around, but found nothing out of place.  We assumed it was the "snowbeast" as he assembled all 140lbs of dog molecules to jump off the porch and chase the deer away from his "turf".  Oh had it been so!  Filled up a glass with ice and went to the sink for water - "Oh what fresh hell is this?"  "Cliff, we have no water!"  "WHAAT?", says he in complete disbelief.  Now is almost 10:30pm and he begins to make the water investigation rounds, starting with 'where up at the house area is the water running', before tromping down to the pasture and following the 800'+ of water lines.  No wet spots are detected.  Into the shop, everything looks good.  Okay - onto the well house - "Ahha, water is everywhere"  Valve at the wellhead blew, ran the well dry and the motor was still on trying to refill.  Oh brother, parts, thinking, focus is necessary after a long day of repairing electrical light switch and being treated to Leatherby's Ice Cream by youngest.
The life of a rancher.  It's the way we roll!  Thank you Cliff!

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Free Martin - Whaaat?

We introduced two newbies into the herd this morning.  They came from a ranch up in Oregon House, she was culling some of the younger calves that would be sent to market.  Interesting though is that this steer and heifer are Angus twins.  Even more interesting is that is was revealed to me that the heifer has not been tested but is probably a "free martin".  I've never heard this term before so imagine my surprise when I was told that when twins are born and are of the opposite sex, and have shared the same blood supply - the girl calf will, in all probability, be unable to conceive.  This is normally due to the underdevelopment of female parts because of a lack of hormones.  ERGO - free martin.
Of course still hoping there was a small chance they might be wrong, I asked the vet to verify and sure enough, this heifer will not breeding but will make a good feeder.