Calving, our busiest and most intense season, is a few short weeks away, so we try to finalize loose ends before it starts. This week, the guys selected the replacement heifers then sold the remainder. These little girls headed off to be replacement cows on another ranch. It’s always hard to see them go but it’s also rewarding to know someone else thinks highly enough of stock raised on this ranch to use them in their operation.
Though we had good weather, the ground was icy so the Head Honcho chose to run the gate with the least chance of fast action. None of us slipped or fell, but a few of the calves did a little skating.
Though joking, the buyer suggested that the Head Honcho do the sorting – he’d raised them, he knew them, and the buyer was sure the Head Honcho could do it well. It was a well deserved compliment, but it’s both the right and responsibility of the buyer to cut back what he doesn’t want. Talking it over later, we both agreed with every cut the buyer made and also agreed that we would have cut just a little deeper. That turned a very good sale into a great sale!
Finally, the girls loaded onto the semi like they were eager to get to their new home and start their life as productive members of his operation. We hope they treat him well, because from the way he worked cattle, we are confident he will treat them well.
In a previous period of my life, I spent a lot of hours swinging gates and running up and down alleys for a cattle buyer. It is always a pleasure to work with someone who sorts with confidence, uses minor finger signals to indicate cut back or let go, and above all else, doesn’t stir up the cattle. This buyer’s sorting brought back many great memories, and the whole day’s efforts were smooth and easy.
Sandy Snider Stahl 