DRY CRIK Journal: 2008 Archives

Christmas 2008

Grandpa & Bodhi

Eldest daughter Jessica and grandson Bodhi flew the ‘redeye’ into San Francisco from Kauai yesterday in time to help cut a dead-standing Blue Oak not far from the house. An old fence corner, we left the trunk with embedded barb wire for another day. Grandson #2 (Cutler Irl) arrives this afternoon from Santa Cruz.

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Posted by John Dofflemyer at 3:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Shipping Steers 2008

It’s been a remarkable summer as we began to punctuate our year with the shipping of our steer calves last Thursday – before the new calves come, before cooler weather and any real chance of rain returns to start our season again. With even more invested in time, energy and money than usual, Robbin and I drove down to the irrigated pasture for an evening look before we shipped them. Bittersweet to think of them leaving.

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Posted by John Dofflemyer at 11:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Crimson Sunrise

This past week the smoke from the ongoing Northern California fires returned with temperatures flirting with record highs as we finished weaning. The diffused early morning light lent a softness and increased depth of field to Robbin’s photos as we headed to Greasy Creek to take the cows back to their home pasture.

We enlisted the help of Jody Fuller and her grandson Sam to gather and keep the cows together as they followed the pickup up the hill. A reward for Sam, both had risen early several times in the past 10 days to help us process our weaned calves.

Clarence Holdbrooks at the gate.

Bob on Red

John & Clarence

Thanks Sam!

Posted by John Dofflemyer at 1:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Steers

2 loads for mid-August delivery: 68 head, 715 lbs., all-natural Angus and black-whiteface steers; 70 head, 700 lbs., Angus and black-whiteface steers. EID, VAC 45-90. Born 8/15 to 12/15/2007. Beef Quality Assurance Certified.

Posted by John Dofflemyer at 12:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

First & Last

Busy everyday, we began weaning on May 21st and finished gathering the last field on the 4th of July. We’ve been able to implement ‘fenceline weaning’ for every bunch, fully utilizing our recent water development that allows us to corral the calves on water next to their mothers during the week-long process. It does entail burning a little more fuel to haul hay to remote locations, but the stress on both cows and calves seems substantially diminished. Certainly the calves look better this year, weighing 50 pounds heavier than last. Keeping the calves full and next to their mothers for an extra week before the haul down the hill has helped, but also I think the calves were in a little better shape when we began weaning this year.

After only two days in the corral, the calves (above) have obviously adapted to the new menu. Looking through the boards (below), the cows are really more interested in the alfalfa than their calves.

Well-broke to the hay truck, the first two bunches weaned pose at the gate (below) for Robbin on our way down from Greasy. Ready for sale, they’ve completed our vaccination program and wear their premise and individual IDs. More than likely, most will sell on Superior/Stampede’s Internet auction later this month for an August delivery. Because I’m also working on a private treaty sale, I can now direct the buyer here.

Gratified and tired, it’s been an intense five weeks. Clarence took off for the pines this weekend, Chuck’s still on a fire somewhere north, I got the lawn mowed and Robbin has time in the garden. All good!

Posted by John Dofflemyer at 12:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)