Weaning…
Weaning has started here at Granite Glen – this is a really important and hectic part of our year, when we bring in all of our breeding cows and separate them from their calves.
Because we have been lucky enough to have a good wet season (unlike many of our counterparts out west) we have been able to leave the calves on their mamas for longer than usual. This means they are well-grown and in some cases, have pretty much already weaned themselves!
Here are some shots of us mustering in the nearby breeder paddocks – I will keep the captions to minimum I promise. (These were taken Sunday, not a day of rest here to allow our mad-keen horsewoman Violet to participate in the fun.)
Unloading horses from truck – Dash with Mr I’s horse, Violet with Pickle’s (Dash’s horse) and me holding Jill (my steed for the day!)
Violet bringing some cows and calves along the road after mustering two paddocks.
Bringing two mobs together in the third paddock (the kids and I with this mob, and Mr Incredible bringing the others in from the right).
Dash doing an awesome job blocking an open gate to keep all the cattle on one side of the fence.
Moving the cows and calves through the final (large) paddock.
The rhodes grass has gone ballistic in this paddock where a spring is watering it continously. Where are the cattle?
Peek-a-boo!
Humans are really strange creatures – what is she on about Celia?
Dash keeps ’em moving without losing any in that forest of grass. *
Taking the mob down through the creek (it’s steep so lean back in your saddle with your feet forward, okay?)
A whole lot happened in this space – arriving at yards, sorting out (and counting out) cows and calves. Unfortunately my arms and eyes were busy doing things other than using the camera! Except for this one…
An older cow shows those young chicks how to bellow. (Less than 24 hours later she is happily grazing back in her paddock – she knows the drill and her baby is munching on hay like this boy…
More pics to come but have to go help out on Day Three right now. My aching legs and butt are protesting, but I know that the view will easy the pain.
🙂
PS This post is dedicated to my Dad, who is no doubt aching himself at missing the weaning. Hoping the sights and sounds of London are easing HIS pain! 🙂
* As always, I am painfully aware of the terrible heartache of graziers trying to simply keep their herd alive out west – more here on what they face.
11 Comments
debby
What nice pictures, and what a very nice day. Hope your father is able to stop being a stockman long enough to enjoy his once in a lifetime trip!
debby´s last blog post ..Humble Pie.
BB of Oz
Us too Deb… from all reports he is. 🙂
Colin Huggins
Terrible to see the photos as shown in “The Australian” yesterday or was it Saturday of the drought conditions and the pitiful stock in the Channel Country.
Thank God for your rain.
The Brangus look great. Hopefully a “bumper year” for you. Sure looks like it and with this rain still falling – well here in Brisbane and I think up your way. All seems OK.
I think your Dad is having a great time with your Mum. Goodness, he may even when in France buy you some Charolais bulls.
They produce good beef mixed with your Brangus, what do you think?
Are your folks still in ole London town?
Looking forward to your Mother’s reports.
Violet sure is the REAL country girl.
BB of Oz
We do give thanks every day Colin… we know better than to take that rain (regardless of the damage it did) for granted. Will give an update shortly on the parents…
🙂
BB
Lynda M O
BB, thanks for the photos of the horses and the cattle. i love the way you live. So foreign and different and yet so enticing to me here in major metropolis. You’re a doll to be so giving while so very busy.
Lynda M O´s last blog post ..Garden Update
Hippomanic Jen
The question that can’t fail to occur to me…
What happens when you’re mustering and photographing at the same time and the horse (who always know what to do even if the rider doesn’t or is giving attention elsewhere) decides to chase up an escaping bovine?
See, this would not end well for my camera, meaning you must be an excellent horsewoman, yes?
BB of Oz
Oh Jen – how I wish I was an excellent horsewoman. What I am is a busy horsewoman, who depends greatly on trustworthy (ie quiet) steeds and (in cases when the going gets a bit TOO hectic) on other very excellent horsepeople coming in and helping out. There HAVE been occasions where I have had to choose between hanging onto the camera, the reins and the hat. The hat lost. Still is, actually. Should have had the Go-Pro on, shouldn’t I?
😉
BB
Bill
As usual your cattle look A+. It always amazes me how you can have such shiny black cows in a land of red dust?
Kelly
Such great looking cattle! I love how you call a group a “mob”. 🙂
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Nancy in Iowa
Bill posted my thought about your beautiful shiny black cattle!!! I picture you putting them all through a car wash complete with wax….
Ellie k
I could not find your blog for a while so now I am catching up on what is going on, love these pics, the cattle show the nice green grass is good this year, so sleak and fat.