It's been a very long time since my last post - and much has happened in that time. To summarize: I went to an awesome music festival outside L.A., contracted walking pneumonia for 2 weeks and was unable to work, and stocker season officially began.
Stockers are cattle that come from another ranch to be fattened up on our pasture. Last week the first shipment of 120 cattle arrived from Hawaii. There are four more shipments that will be arriving in the next four weeks bringing a total of 500 cattle. T.O. Cattle Co. will raise the cattle through the winter and spring, when the grass is the most productive, and then ship the cattle somewhere else to get finished. T.O. is paid for each pound that the cattle gain.
For the season, the cattle will be over at the Hollister Hills Ranch - a state park in Hollister, CA. Last week the first shipment arrived - the cows were wild! Not literally but as Joe explained, they are very sensitive because they haven't been handled often, or well. We spent two days working with the cattle, using low stress handling techniques to acclimate the cattle to being handled.
I was also able to work on the grazing plan for the 2009-10 season at Hollister Hills. It was fun to sit over the huge piece of paper, planning every move that the cattle will make throughout the season. I like thinking about the logistics and planning aspect of running the cattle.
Last week was also the first time I've been to Hollister Hills. I was given the task of making the electric fence hot and spent the majority of the day running all over the ranch trying to understand how the fence system was set up and where the different fields are and how they are connected. It was stressful but I feel pretty confident I could get the fence hot real quick, with no problems.
I'm going to try to post more in the next few weeks. I only have three weeks left in California before I head home for the holidays. I'm looking forward to what the next few weeks have to bring!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Movin'
Today Joe and I moved the cattle on horse back into the Tank Field. I spent yesterday afternoon subdividing the field into smaller paddocks where the cows will stay for 2 days each. The Tank Field is interesting. At the bottom, along the flat, there is a riparian area that gets a lot of water in the rainy season. Each year Joe has documented the area and tells me that when he started managing the ranch, there was little growth relative the abundance there is now. The creek bed is field with perennial grasses and big willows. Just another example of how proper management in riparian areas can produce awesome effects.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Going Once...
This morning, Everett and I went to the auction yard to do a little market research on goats. We were trying to get an idea of how much different sized and gendered goats cost and sell for. The reason for our visit is because of the possibility of exploring a new enterprise in goats!
Goats are slowly becoming a popular alternative to expensive, oil driven machines used for brush clearing. In California, brush control is a big business because of the serious threat of wild fires throughout the state. For us, goats can also be incorporated into our land management so to have a greater impact on the rangelands we work on. Goats do not eat grass like cows but instead prefer a large variety of brush. By incorporating goats into Morris Grassfed, we would be able to manage an aspect of the land that we can't do with the cows.
So, Ev and I did a little research - speculating on potential business models and trying to judge if one goat looked better than another. It was a pretty cool experience but we are still a ways away from building a decent goat herd.
Goats are slowly becoming a popular alternative to expensive, oil driven machines used for brush clearing. In California, brush control is a big business because of the serious threat of wild fires throughout the state. For us, goats can also be incorporated into our land management so to have a greater impact on the rangelands we work on. Goats do not eat grass like cows but instead prefer a large variety of brush. By incorporating goats into Morris Grassfed, we would be able to manage an aspect of the land that we can't do with the cows.
So, Ev and I did a little research - speculating on potential business models and trying to judge if one goat looked better than another. It was a pretty cool experience but we are still a ways away from building a decent goat herd.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Back on the Horse
Today Joe, Ev, and I gathered up the cows on horse back and moved them from the Sand Hill to the Bull Field. As we started up the hill to gather them all, the rain slowly moved in. By the time we reached the cattle it was coming down.
I'm not an excellent rider but I'm pretty confident by now, but in the rain and mud things can get a little hairy. I was trying to skirt the cattle to push them up onto a road. Walking at a slight angle down a bank. Suddenly, Lady (the horse) lost her balance and crashed to the ground. She fell uphill so the fall wasn't that far but I still ended up getting my leg caught underneath her. She scrambled to her feet. I was able to keep my hands on the reigns and get out of the saddle but Lady was really shaken up. She jolted and then took off, running about 50 yards from me. Slow to get up, I walked off the pain in my leg until I reached Lady. She was shaking and I was a little nervous but after five minutes of soft words and a couple reassuring pats I was able to calm her down and get back on the saddle. Never before has the term "get back on the horse" had so much significance to me.
I was a little more cautious the rest of the day, avoiding inclines and muddied areas. But we were able to get the cows where they needed to be and move eight bulls across the ranch. All in all, today was a great success.
I'm not an excellent rider but I'm pretty confident by now, but in the rain and mud things can get a little hairy. I was trying to skirt the cattle to push them up onto a road. Walking at a slight angle down a bank. Suddenly, Lady (the horse) lost her balance and crashed to the ground. She fell uphill so the fall wasn't that far but I still ended up getting my leg caught underneath her. She scrambled to her feet. I was able to keep my hands on the reigns and get out of the saddle but Lady was really shaken up. She jolted and then took off, running about 50 yards from me. Slow to get up, I walked off the pain in my leg until I reached Lady. She was shaking and I was a little nervous but after five minutes of soft words and a couple reassuring pats I was able to calm her down and get back on the saddle. Never before has the term "get back on the horse" had so much significance to me.
I was a little more cautious the rest of the day, avoiding inclines and muddied areas. But we were able to get the cows where they needed to be and move eight bulls across the ranch. All in all, today was a great success.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
It's REALLY Raining
It is raining SO hard outside right now that I think the world might drown.
It's the first day of rain this year and it's really raining. I got to sleep in a little this morning because we didn't go over to work with the cows in the rain. I started working on website stuff this morning with breakfast when Everett called me and told me hes picking me up in 10 minutes to head over to the ranch. Really...? I looked outside and quickly realized that in my flannel pants and sweeter I was under dressed. So I threw on my work cloths and mentally prepared myself for a day of being soaked.
What we did turned out to be pretty fun.
We went to the Kelly Thompson to make sure the roads weren't being washed away and that the water was flowing where it was supposed to. Ev gave me a 3/4 rain coat to help keep my dry. We had to dig little channels across the road where the water was running downhill and eroding the gravel. We also had to open up the dams that are in the creeks so that the force of the first rain can freely wash away any silt that might get built up. It was pretty cold but seeing the ranch when it is pouring was pretty cool.
Now I just hope my space heater is enough to keep me dry at my house!
It's the first day of rain this year and it's really raining. I got to sleep in a little this morning because we didn't go over to work with the cows in the rain. I started working on website stuff this morning with breakfast when Everett called me and told me hes picking me up in 10 minutes to head over to the ranch. Really...? I looked outside and quickly realized that in my flannel pants and sweeter I was under dressed. So I threw on my work cloths and mentally prepared myself for a day of being soaked.
What we did turned out to be pretty fun.
We went to the Kelly Thompson to make sure the roads weren't being washed away and that the water was flowing where it was supposed to. Ev gave me a 3/4 rain coat to help keep my dry. We had to dig little channels across the road where the water was running downhill and eroding the gravel. We also had to open up the dams that are in the creeks so that the force of the first rain can freely wash away any silt that might get built up. It was pretty cold but seeing the ranch when it is pouring was pretty cool.
Now I just hope my space heater is enough to keep me dry at my house!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Sierras
Tuesday. 5 a.m. Joe, Everett and I hit the road for a six hour trip up to the Sierras to look at some pasture for next summer. I went to a concert the night before and only got three hours of sleep, so I slept most of the way up to the mountains. When I woke up, I was surrounded by beautiful, rocky peaks and tall pines. I like the mountains.
We were in the Sierras to look at pasture at The Grizzly Ranch - a summer camp of sorts for handicapped kids. Jesse Smith, who runs goats around Northern California, has been working there for the past 4 years, doing fire protection work with the goats in the summers. He approach T.O. with an opportunity to run cows with his goats for the summer months while he's there. The benefits to this would be that cows would finish faster and be fatter because of the more nutrient grasses in the mountains, that stay green longer. The cows would be managed in a way that promotes the land health, which is something Jesse has worked on with his goats. Incorporating the cows would allow for the grasslands to be managed more intensively and also help with the fire prevention because grass would burn slower then most of the brush that is around. We would also be able to have a fall harvest, which opens up more marketing opportunities for the business.
So we drove on up to check out the land. It was really beautiful - set into the hills along a vast mountain valley. The land looks really good, with more than enough feed for the cows and ample water. It's now a matter of working out the details and getting final approval from the land owners - but things look pretty good!
We were in the Sierras to look at pasture at The Grizzly Ranch - a summer camp of sorts for handicapped kids. Jesse Smith, who runs goats around Northern California, has been working there for the past 4 years, doing fire protection work with the goats in the summers. He approach T.O. with an opportunity to run cows with his goats for the summer months while he's there. The benefits to this would be that cows would finish faster and be fatter because of the more nutrient grasses in the mountains, that stay green longer. The cows would be managed in a way that promotes the land health, which is something Jesse has worked on with his goats. Incorporating the cows would allow for the grasslands to be managed more intensively and also help with the fire prevention because grass would burn slower then most of the brush that is around. We would also be able to have a fall harvest, which opens up more marketing opportunities for the business.
So we drove on up to check out the land. It was really beautiful - set into the hills along a vast mountain valley. The land looks really good, with more than enough feed for the cows and ample water. It's now a matter of working out the details and getting final approval from the land owners - but things look pretty good!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Back Hoe
Today was yet another day working on water systems. Only this time we brought some help.
We met up with Rick this morning, a member of the Kelly Thompson community, and heading up to the dry lakes to do some digging. Rick has a back hoe which we were going to use to dig some BIG holes. First, we went to the Dry Lake. We have a siphon pulling water from the lake but we wanted to install another pipe line from the creek so that we could fill the pond and siphon water out at the same time. We put in a "t", two valves, and about 30 feet of PVC. We also added a new water box to accommodate the new valves. When we finished, it looked great.
Next, we then headed over to Chamberlain Lake, on the other side of the ranch. Our mission here was to simply dig a hole to try to find a pipe that was leaking 5 feet under ground. It turned out it wouldn't be that simple.
What we found was a pipe, but no leak. Still there was water seeping into our hole so we kept digging, following the pipe further up hill. We then decided to see if there was any water in the pipe. We cut it. No water. Rick then suggested we use an air compressor to cause enough pressure to clean out the filter at the top of the pipe, which we all assumed must be blocks -the reason the water to run outside the pipe. After some time of shooting air into the line with no results, we decided to keep on digging.
One big hole (and one big mess) later, we found the end of the pipe, which was underground, two feet above the water table. The excess pipe explained why the water was leaking down hill and why there was no water in the pipe. We closed out the day by trimming the pipe down to the water level and gathering up our tools. Tomorrow we plan on installing a cylinder into the ground where the pipe end is so that we can check on it when we need to. We also have a pretty big hole to fill in.
It was awesome having Rick help us today. He and his back hoe were a huge help! Thanks, Rick!
We met up with Rick this morning, a member of the Kelly Thompson community, and heading up to the dry lakes to do some digging. Rick has a back hoe which we were going to use to dig some BIG holes. First, we went to the Dry Lake. We have a siphon pulling water from the lake but we wanted to install another pipe line from the creek so that we could fill the pond and siphon water out at the same time. We put in a "t", two valves, and about 30 feet of PVC. We also added a new water box to accommodate the new valves. When we finished, it looked great.
Next, we then headed over to Chamberlain Lake, on the other side of the ranch. Our mission here was to simply dig a hole to try to find a pipe that was leaking 5 feet under ground. It turned out it wouldn't be that simple.
What we found was a pipe, but no leak. Still there was water seeping into our hole so we kept digging, following the pipe further up hill. We then decided to see if there was any water in the pipe. We cut it. No water. Rick then suggested we use an air compressor to cause enough pressure to clean out the filter at the top of the pipe, which we all assumed must be blocks -the reason the water to run outside the pipe. After some time of shooting air into the line with no results, we decided to keep on digging.
One big hole (and one big mess) later, we found the end of the pipe, which was underground, two feet above the water table. The excess pipe explained why the water was leaking down hill and why there was no water in the pipe. We closed out the day by trimming the pipe down to the water level and gathering up our tools. Tomorrow we plan on installing a cylinder into the ground where the pipe end is so that we can check on it when we need to. We also have a pretty big hole to fill in.
It was awesome having Rick help us today. He and his back hoe were a huge help! Thanks, Rick!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Tuesdays
Today I was on my own. Started my day with a pit stop at Joe's to get some direction on what to do today. The cows are pretty much taken care of for now, leaving me with a host of small ranch projects to do. I suggested to Joe that I could spend the day cleaning up the roads by cutting down tree limbs that obstruct driving. With a chains saw and long-arm saw I hit the road.
It was cool this morning, but slowly warmed up as the day went on. I took about three hours trimming trees in places where it'd be impossible to get a truck through. When I was done, I headed up to check on the cows. Three cows were left behind in Angel's field, so I moved them in with the bunch. When I got to the trough the cows are using, I noticed the water wasn't keeping up with the cows. They had drunken it down to the bottom!
To fix the problem I opened up the pressure regulator again and cleaned out a screen that was filled with weeds from the pond. The water started flowing and was soon the trough was gaining on the cows.
I also took some time to move cows off the trough and focus on their behavior. I started by isolating a bunch and moving them out onto the road. For the most part they moved easily, but very slowly. I was left wondering what makes them so slow going - could it be the water in their bellies? or maybe they just didn't feel like walking. Either way, I slowly got the cows to stream along the road and back to where they could feed, leaving behind another bunch to follow suite.
I always find it really interesting working with the cows when I'm alone. I get to really pay attention to my own actions and how exactly cows respond to me. With other around, I'm not the only driving force for the cows so it can be hard to evaluate. Still, I enjoyed the afternoon, taking things slow, but trying to focus on how the cows were responding to me.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Fall in San Juan
Autumn is OFFICIALLY here.
I'm originally from the North East and have spent the last four years in Vermont enjoying the beautiful changes that fall brings. But out in California, the changes are less noticeable. September stays hot, there are no maple trees that turn red and orange, and I don't smell wood stoves in the evening. Today my feelings changed.
It was cold. 55 - 60 around two o'clock. Everett and I were over at the Kelly Thompson Ranch collecting the cows and moving them into a new field. We brought them all into water, then pushed them out into their new feeding ground. When we went to the top of the ranch to check on a spring, it was COLD! The wind was blowing and the fog never moved out. We had to turn the heater on when we got back to the truck!
Little things have been changing around the ranch. Very subtle things. Bright green grass has been slowly emerging under trees and in the fields. The smells of dead leaves is starting to fill the air. It's getting cooler and the breeze now kicks up a storm of leaves. There are multiple flocks of turkeys roaming around. And the sun is setting at 7 in the evening. All these signs point to a different, but definitely real fall that is slowing coming around the corner. And I'm excited for the change!
I'm originally from the North East and have spent the last four years in Vermont enjoying the beautiful changes that fall brings. But out in California, the changes are less noticeable. September stays hot, there are no maple trees that turn red and orange, and I don't smell wood stoves in the evening. Today my feelings changed.
It was cold. 55 - 60 around two o'clock. Everett and I were over at the Kelly Thompson Ranch collecting the cows and moving them into a new field. We brought them all into water, then pushed them out into their new feeding ground. When we went to the top of the ranch to check on a spring, it was COLD! The wind was blowing and the fog never moved out. We had to turn the heater on when we got back to the truck!
Little things have been changing around the ranch. Very subtle things. Bright green grass has been slowly emerging under trees and in the fields. The smells of dead leaves is starting to fill the air. It's getting cooler and the breeze now kicks up a storm of leaves. There are multiple flocks of turkeys roaming around. And the sun is setting at 7 in the evening. All these signs point to a different, but definitely real fall that is slowing coming around the corner. And I'm excited for the change!
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Friday With Joe
(Sarah moving cows a few weeks ago.)Yesterday, Everett took a break from the cows and went to watch some goats for a herder named Jessie, leaving Joe and I to check up on the cows.
SUCCESS!!! The water siphon was working great! The cows were all coming in to water when we arrived in the morning, and things are looking good.
Because of our shortage of water, the cows have to cross two fields to get a drink. For the weekend, Joe and I put the cows in Angel's Field in the South East corner of the ranch. To get to the water, they have to cut through the Roacha Field and water out of a trough in the Little Field. Joe and I spent yesterday put up a poly-wire fence, making a lane for the cows to traverse to the water. It's a long way to go, but by what we saw yesterday, the cows seem to have already figured it out!
Monday, we plan on moving the cows back into the Roacha, where they'll stay for seven day(according to our grazing plan). The pond that feeds the trough has an abundance of water, for now and we should be able to stick to our grazing plan without too many problems.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
All In a Day's Work
Got back this week from a taking a week's vacation with Erin, and there was plenty to get done. Beyond the everyday fencing building and maintenance, Ev and I started to explore other possibilities for supplying water to the cows in the future. We checked out a spring high up on a ridge that (might) supply 3 gallons a minute to the cows - which would be great. To get it to them we would have to lay piping for a couple hundred yards, downhill, and through brush (yikes!). But its a possibility.
Yesterday I spent an hour digging a cow out of the most hideous mud I think I've ever encountered. In the morning, Ev and I had put the cows in a closed in pond area so that they could hit it hard for a couple hours. When the day was ending, it was my duty to go move the cows out. What I found was a fat black cow stuck sideways in the mud. Left with the decision to deal with her tomorrow or try and do something to get her out of the mud, I decided to give it a go. With a shovel, I slowly dug her front legs and back legs out. She had somehow twisted her body and was stuck at about a 60 degree angle in the mud. After a few attempts to escape on her part, I used some old boards, and after breaking a few, I managed to get them under the cow to give her a solid footing. Just another day on the ranch.
Today, Joe, Ev, and I saddled up and went to pursue the water problem. We worked for a few hours trying to get a siphon to pump water down hill to the troughs without success. For some reason the water volume was extremely low. Joe and Everett had a meeting and the left me to get things flowing. I had to dig out an old water box, find a pressure regulator, twist it around, and clear out the screen that was inside it. After a bee sting and an hour I managed to get the screen out. The water is flowing well (for now) and the cows should be able to hold up until tomorrow when we can go check on the siphon and make sure its holding up.
This week has been anything but uneventful. I was also able to talk to Joe for a couple hours about the website research I have been doing. We are looking to improve our website and expand it to be me interactive. Phase one is complete, now we need to implement the changes - so look for them in the next month!
Yesterday I spent an hour digging a cow out of the most hideous mud I think I've ever encountered. In the morning, Ev and I had put the cows in a closed in pond area so that they could hit it hard for a couple hours. When the day was ending, it was my duty to go move the cows out. What I found was a fat black cow stuck sideways in the mud. Left with the decision to deal with her tomorrow or try and do something to get her out of the mud, I decided to give it a go. With a shovel, I slowly dug her front legs and back legs out. She had somehow twisted her body and was stuck at about a 60 degree angle in the mud. After a few attempts to escape on her part, I used some old boards, and after breaking a few, I managed to get them under the cow to give her a solid footing. Just another day on the ranch.
Today, Joe, Ev, and I saddled up and went to pursue the water problem. We worked for a few hours trying to get a siphon to pump water down hill to the troughs without success. For some reason the water volume was extremely low. Joe and Everett had a meeting and the left me to get things flowing. I had to dig out an old water box, find a pressure regulator, twist it around, and clear out the screen that was inside it. After a bee sting and an hour I managed to get the screen out. The water is flowing well (for now) and the cows should be able to hold up until tomorrow when we can go check on the siphon and make sure its holding up.
This week has been anything but uneventful. I was also able to talk to Joe for a couple hours about the website research I have been doing. We are looking to improve our website and expand it to be me interactive. Phase one is complete, now we need to implement the changes - so look for them in the next month!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Old and New
Today, Ev and I took a break from the cows. They are now in a field that should keep them happy for the next couple days, which means we have time to focus on the much needed maintenance projects throughout the ranch.
We spent the morning repairing holes in old barbed wire fence, taking down and replacing an old gate, and removing old fence posts. After a couple hours in the hot California sun, we took a break for lunch, eating under a couple of willows. It was a very nice - taking refuge in the shade of the trees, cooling off, and eating some lunch.
The afternoon was spent taking down an old corral, which means knocking off the boards, pulling out the posts, and cleaning up the wood that can't be used any more. It was enjoyable and mindless. Just smashing a hammer into boards to shake them loss from their nails is therapeutic, I think.
It's another hot day in San Juan and tomorrow looks like it might be hotter.
We spent the morning repairing holes in old barbed wire fence, taking down and replacing an old gate, and removing old fence posts. After a couple hours in the hot California sun, we took a break for lunch, eating under a couple of willows. It was a very nice - taking refuge in the shade of the trees, cooling off, and eating some lunch.
The afternoon was spent taking down an old corral, which means knocking off the boards, pulling out the posts, and cleaning up the wood that can't be used any more. It was enjoyable and mindless. Just smashing a hammer into boards to shake them loss from their nails is therapeutic, I think.
It's another hot day in San Juan and tomorrow looks like it might be hotter.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
My Pants, My Feet, My Hair
ANTS! They are my arch nemeses. We are at war - constant battle. Sometimes there is a lull in the fighting, but really, it never ends.
I live in "The Tack Room" - a small studio attached to the barn at the end of the road. It's nice, quiet, and generally enjoyable. But man, some days I just want to FREAK OUT!
The past few days I have been noticing an increased number of ants crawling around my kitchen - in the trash, in the sink, even in the cupboard! So today, I decided to do something about it - I went on a rampage. An hour and a half scouring every corner of my house, hunting down every ant. I got so carried away I even scrubbed my shower!
The true test is to see if they return. The battle may be won, but the war definitely isn't over.
I live in "The Tack Room" - a small studio attached to the barn at the end of the road. It's nice, quiet, and generally enjoyable. But man, some days I just want to FREAK OUT!
The past few days I have been noticing an increased number of ants crawling around my kitchen - in the trash, in the sink, even in the cupboard! So today, I decided to do something about it - I went on a rampage. An hour and a half scouring every corner of my house, hunting down every ant. I got so carried away I even scrubbed my shower!
The true test is to see if they return. The battle may be won, but the war definitely isn't over.
Monday, September 7, 2009
The Land of Cows
Today, Joe, Jack, and I saddled up and headed to the KT. We rode to the cows at the Eastern part of the ranch. When we got there, a small group was watering at the trough. Joe decided that we should practice our horsemanship, sorting cows out and working them to another corral. It was great! We each took turns signaling out a cow, sorting it, and walking it off. We were trying to work on the low stress handling Joe learned from Bud Williams. It was amazing to see how the slightest movements would determine if you would be successful or fail.
For instance, I had separated a cow from the herd and it was standing 20 feet out, looking to get back to the group. I was between it and the other cows. As it turned towards the gate, I moved my horse to be parallel, taking a step forward. That single step put enough pressure on the cow to send it scampering around me and back to the herd. The same thing happened once more. The third time, I asked Joe - "What should I do here? What did I do wrong the last two times?" He told me that I needed to swing the back of my horse around so I'm not stepping forward when I'm positioning myself. In doing so, I would relieve pressure from the cow and encourage it to head to the gate.
To my astonishment, it worked exactly as Joe said it would. I was incredibly impressed and now look forward to the next sorting opportunity to work out my new skills.
For instance, I had separated a cow from the herd and it was standing 20 feet out, looking to get back to the group. I was between it and the other cows. As it turned towards the gate, I moved my horse to be parallel, taking a step forward. That single step put enough pressure on the cow to send it scampering around me and back to the herd. The same thing happened once more. The third time, I asked Joe - "What should I do here? What did I do wrong the last two times?" He told me that I needed to swing the back of my horse around so I'm not stepping forward when I'm positioning myself. In doing so, I would relieve pressure from the cow and encourage it to head to the gate.
To my astonishment, it worked exactly as Joe said it would. I was incredibly impressed and now look forward to the next sorting opportunity to work out my new skills.
The Earth Is Shaking
Two nights ago I survived my first EARTHQUAKE!!! WHOA!!!
It was only a 3.9 and lasted about 3 seconds, BUT it was crazy. I was rattled out of bed at about 2:45 in the morning. My first thought was, "OH SHIT! IT'S AN EARTH QUAKE!!!" Then the rumbling ended and it was over and calm. My second thought, "OH SHIT! THE BIG ONE'S NEXT!!!" I was convinced that the quake was just a prelude to the real disaster. But it never came, I fell back asleep, and lived to see another day.
California is crazy.
It was only a 3.9 and lasted about 3 seconds, BUT it was crazy. I was rattled out of bed at about 2:45 in the morning. My first thought was, "OH SHIT! IT'S AN EARTH QUAKE!!!" Then the rumbling ended and it was over and calm. My second thought, "OH SHIT! THE BIG ONE'S NEXT!!!" I was convinced that the quake was just a prelude to the real disaster. But it never came, I fell back asleep, and lived to see another day.
California is crazy.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Trample and Graze
One aspect of the work we are currently doing with the cows is getting a thick layer of grass, thistle, and other biomatter to cover the soil. By doing this we hope to encourage greater soil health and thus better plant and animal health.
Right now it looks pretty good. Through our grazing practices, most places have the desired ground cover. The idea is that by covering the soil, we are promoting microbial life that in turn creates better soil. By keeping the ground cool and protected from the sun, it is better suited for bugs and other microbes to flourish. It also helps retain greater amounts of water and reduce evaporation that may be caused by direct sun light. When it rains, the ground will be in a much better condition to absorb water rather then have it run off.
I am trying to document our progress somehow. I've been taking pictures of the ground cover in the different areas that we have grazed. I hope to be able to compare the pictures with some other data and try to figure out what we are looking for, visually, when we are out there with the cows.
Right now it looks pretty good. Through our grazing practices, most places have the desired ground cover. The idea is that by covering the soil, we are promoting microbial life that in turn creates better soil. By keeping the ground cool and protected from the sun, it is better suited for bugs and other microbes to flourish. It also helps retain greater amounts of water and reduce evaporation that may be caused by direct sun light. When it rains, the ground will be in a much better condition to absorb water rather then have it run off.
I am trying to document our progress somehow. I've been taking pictures of the ground cover in the different areas that we have grazed. I hope to be able to compare the pictures with some other data and try to figure out what we are looking for, visually, when we are out there with the cows.
Escape Artists
Yesterday, Joe and I went over to look at the cows and to open up some more fences. Upon our arrival we found a totally destroyed poly-wire reel right in front of the gate. After the initial irritation we rolled up what remained of the reel and proceeded towards the cows. What we found was the other half of the reel clinging to a destroyed fence. Almost all the cows were out.
We spent the morning gathering up the cows, bringing them to water, and rebuilding some fence. Some days, it seems like no matter what we do, the cows always get out. Escape artists.
Today, Joe's nephew, his friend, and I went over the the KT and built some fence to get ahead for the week. Tomorrow afternoon I'll be running the farmer's market in downtown Hollister and won't have much time to spend with the cows. Also, Thursday is a delivery day in the Bay Area, so Joe and I will be making our rounds all day.
We spent the morning gathering up the cows, bringing them to water, and rebuilding some fence. Some days, it seems like no matter what we do, the cows always get out. Escape artists.
Today, Joe's nephew, his friend, and I went over the the KT and built some fence to get ahead for the week. Tomorrow afternoon I'll be running the farmer's market in downtown Hollister and won't have much time to spend with the cows. Also, Thursday is a delivery day in the Bay Area, so Joe and I will be making our rounds all day.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Long Silence
Sorry for not posting in a week. Much has happened that needs to be discussed!
Friday, Ev and I built fences and moved the herd around. We found a calf that had fallen off a ledge and was trapped. After about an hour of balancing on fallen trees, scrambling through poison oak and stinging nettles, and hauling the calf up an steep bank, we managed to rescue it and return it to its mother.
Sunday I went over to Ev's family's ranch for a branding. His dad had about 50 calves that needed to be branded. It was a good time with good company. Ev's family ranch, The Sparling Ranch, is about 30 minutes from San Juan in beautiful country hills. I was glad I got a chance to see it.
Tuesday, Joe and I went up to the Swonton Pacific Ranch - a ranch owned by Cal Poly. Joe was there to teach a class of 15 grad and undergrad students about low stress herding and some holistic practices - I was there to listen. It was great! Joe is a great teacher and the day spent in the classroom and out on the ranch was incredibly informative.
The past couple days have been used to get ready for next week - building fence ahead of the cows and thinking about our grazing plan. Everett's heading on vacation next week and I will be with Joe on the ranch. I'll be house sitting at Ev's so I'll have unlimited Internet access and TV!!! Wow!!!
I'll be putting up some new pictures soon - so watch out!
Friday, Ev and I built fences and moved the herd around. We found a calf that had fallen off a ledge and was trapped. After about an hour of balancing on fallen trees, scrambling through poison oak and stinging nettles, and hauling the calf up an steep bank, we managed to rescue it and return it to its mother.
Sunday I went over to Ev's family's ranch for a branding. His dad had about 50 calves that needed to be branded. It was a good time with good company. Ev's family ranch, The Sparling Ranch, is about 30 minutes from San Juan in beautiful country hills. I was glad I got a chance to see it.
Tuesday, Joe and I went up to the Swonton Pacific Ranch - a ranch owned by Cal Poly. Joe was there to teach a class of 15 grad and undergrad students about low stress herding and some holistic practices - I was there to listen. It was great! Joe is a great teacher and the day spent in the classroom and out on the ranch was incredibly informative.
The past couple days have been used to get ready for next week - building fence ahead of the cows and thinking about our grazing plan. Everett's heading on vacation next week and I will be with Joe on the ranch. I'll be house sitting at Ev's so I'll have unlimited Internet access and TV!!! Wow!!!
I'll be putting up some new pictures soon - so watch out!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Splash
I started the morning by delivering four split halves to customers up in Scotts Valley - east of Santa Cruz. From there, I headed over to Watsonville to meet Ev and try to fix our water problem.
When we starting digging, we only had a general idea of where the pipe was. We used shovels and a digging rod - a five foot, iron rod used to break up the hard dirt by continually beating the ground. It didn't take long to find the pipe...
Smash. Water squirt. "What?" Pull rod out. Splash.
I was soaked. When searching for the pipe, I inadvertently broke the PVC with the digging rod causing an explosion of water and mud, all over my face.
Anyways, we found the pipe, fixed the problems, and now the water works (hopefully). I finished the day by building some more fence and heading home.
When we starting digging, we only had a general idea of where the pipe was. We used shovels and a digging rod - a five foot, iron rod used to break up the hard dirt by continually beating the ground. It didn't take long to find the pipe...
Smash. Water squirt. "What?" Pull rod out. Splash.
I was soaked. When searching for the pipe, I inadvertently broke the PVC with the digging rod causing an explosion of water and mud, all over my face.
Anyways, we found the pipe, fixed the problems, and now the water works (hopefully). I finished the day by building some more fence and heading home.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Puzzles Under Ground
I may be starting to sound redundant, but seriously... water is an issue. Today, Ev and I got to the ranch early to check on the cows. We found that the siphon wasn't working again. We moved the cows off the trough and opened up a fence so they could water off Mill Creek. We spent about 4 hours trying to solve the siphon problem.
My motto for ranch work has become "Every journey begins with a single foot step."
My motto for ranch work has become "Every journey begins with a single foot step."
As Ev and I ran back and forth between the trough, the pond, the tank, and any other possible point where air may be getting into the line, it became clear that a simple idea - our siphon - can be an incredibly confusing problem. But, we may have found the problem - air is being pulled into the pressurized line from further down the line. The solution: dig a hole where the water line "t's" to go into the pond, cut both ends of the PVC, install a valve on both sides, reconnect the PVC, and fill in the hole. This is what we have to look forward to for tomorrow.
In other news, Julie, Joe's wife, sent me pictures from this weekend. I joined Joe's family for a little sailing trip on Joe's dad's boat from Tinsley Island in Stockton down to Alameda (Oakland). It was a blast and a memorable sailing adventure.
In other news, Julie, Joe's wife, sent me pictures from this weekend. I joined Joe's family for a little sailing trip on Joe's dad's boat from Tinsley Island in Stockton down to Alameda (Oakland). It was a blast and a memorable sailing adventure.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Water Works
Today, Everett and I got to the Kelly Thompson Ranch around 7:30. We went up to Mill Ridge to check on the cattle, where we'd left them over the weekend. Ev had gone and checked the cows yesterday and knew to expect that some of the fence would be knocked down. Sure enough, a couple sections of poly-wire that bordered the creek were a mess. We took an hour to clean them up and build three more fences, creating three new paddocks for the cows. We then proceeded to gather up the cows and move them to one of the new paddocks in Arano Flat.
In the new paddock there is a trough. The trough, like the others in the Picnic Grounds, can be fed from a siphon that draws from a holding pond in the Little Field (East of Arano Flat). We'd planned on the having the cows water from the trough that was being fed from the pond, BUT, just like the troughs in the Picnic Grounds, we ran into some problems...
For some reason the siphon wasn't working. We spent about an hour and a half running back in forth between the tank that feds the pond, the pond, and the trough... and an air release. We were able to get it to hold but unable to have it pull the volume we were looking for. So, tomorrow, Ev and I will head over to the ranch around 6:30 to check on the cows, clean up some fence, and work on the siphon.
I'm optimistic but I hope it doesn't take a week to figure this out - by then, the cows will be gone...
In the new paddock there is a trough. The trough, like the others in the Picnic Grounds, can be fed from a siphon that draws from a holding pond in the Little Field (East of Arano Flat). We'd planned on the having the cows water from the trough that was being fed from the pond, BUT, just like the troughs in the Picnic Grounds, we ran into some problems...
For some reason the siphon wasn't working. We spent about an hour and a half running back in forth between the tank that feds the pond, the pond, and the trough... and an air release. We were able to get it to hold but unable to have it pull the volume we were looking for. So, tomorrow, Ev and I will head over to the ranch around 6:30 to check on the cows, clean up some fence, and work on the siphon.
I'm optimistic but I hope it doesn't take a week to figure this out - by then, the cows will be gone...
Friday, August 14, 2009
It's Friday
Today, Ev and I arrived at the ranch to find that every one of the cows had gotten out over night. We had spent the end of a hot afternoon yesterday building a paddock to keep the cattle in over night. Finding that one of the fences had been completely destroyed was not a heartening way to start our day.
The problem, we think, is that there are portions of some poly-wire reels that are orange instead of white. We think that the cows can't see the orange wire as well as the white and thus don't respect the fence. This, on the other hand, doesn't explain why the cattle aren't responsive to the electric shock that's delivered by the wire.
We spent the day gathering the cattle and building a large paddock across Mill Ridge, where they will stay for the remainder of the weekend... or so we plan.
I came home today and immediately fell asleep. Ranch work is tiring - naps are fantastic.
Tomorrow is Joe's son Jack's 13th birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACK!
The problem, we think, is that there are portions of some poly-wire reels that are orange instead of white. We think that the cows can't see the orange wire as well as the white and thus don't respect the fence. This, on the other hand, doesn't explain why the cattle aren't responsive to the electric shock that's delivered by the wire.
We spent the day gathering the cattle and building a large paddock across Mill Ridge, where they will stay for the remainder of the weekend... or so we plan.
I came home today and immediately fell asleep. Ranch work is tiring - naps are fantastic.
Tomorrow is Joe's son Jack's 13th birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACK!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
The Great Escape
This morning I woke up at 4:30 with the purpose of trying to see a little bit of the meteor shower before the sun came up - I didn't see anything. But, Joe and I had planned on meeting at 6 to get an early start with the cows so I made a hearty breakfast and hit the road.
Joe and I took up some fence and brought in cows that had gotten out over night. Joe showed me herding techniques of Bud Williams - they are based on "feel", watching the reaction of the cow and using your slight movements and positions to get the cow to freely move to where you want them to. The idea is to use as little pressure as possible and allow the cow to make the decision.
Joe headed home, leaving me to herd the cows and practice my herding skills. I played around for about an hour, moving the cows around in a new paddock, leaving them to graze. With that, I had time to kill. Being alone and with no means of transportation, I decided to hike to the top of Bald Ridge - the ridge at the top of the Picnic Grounds, named for its lack of vegetation other than grass. The fog was dense this morning and I new there would be spectacular pictures from so high up. So, with camera and water in hand, I started my 30 minute trot to the top.
When I got to the top, I immediately noticed ATV tracks, and they looked fresh! Uh Oh! First thought that came into my mind was "Marijuana Growers". We had speculated that there might be growers in the back part of the ranch but have never had tangible evidence. For me, the ATV tracks were evidence enough and I turned around and hopped down the hill as fast as I could.
Five minutes down the ridge I heard the sound of an approaching ATV. "They've seen me!!!", I thought as I picked up the pace and dodged under brush.
I got back down to where the cows were, under the cover of fog, thoughts racing through my mind. Did the ATV see me? Were they coming for me? I also heard a shout as I was running away - were there more of them? Just as I decided it would be best to sit tight some where and wait for Ev to arrive I heard the sound of a fast approaching helicopter, flying low. They were coming for me!!!
I quickly started to jog back down the hill. The Kelly Thompson barn was a long ways off but I was not about to stick around, alone, in a field, as marijuana growers swooped in on me. As I moved, the helicopter quickly got closer - hovering just out of sight in the fog. Were they looking for me? I kept moving and after about an hour, I made it back to the barn to find Ev's truck empty and the mule gone. Ev soon returned and I explained the events of my morning.
He was on his way up when he heard the helicopter. Helicopters have been known to fly low around the ranch (a previously speculated, possible indicator of the marijuana growers). I told Ev the story and he thought that maybe the helicopter was dropping supplies and the ATV was picking it up... and, that they weren't chasing me.
Either way, I had a very stressful morning. I totally bugged out. In my mind, I'd unwilling stepped into a terrifying game of cat and mouse. I survived. I also learned really cool herding techniques. Ranch life is crazy.
Joe and I took up some fence and brought in cows that had gotten out over night. Joe showed me herding techniques of Bud Williams - they are based on "feel", watching the reaction of the cow and using your slight movements and positions to get the cow to freely move to where you want them to. The idea is to use as little pressure as possible and allow the cow to make the decision.
Joe headed home, leaving me to herd the cows and practice my herding skills. I played around for about an hour, moving the cows around in a new paddock, leaving them to graze. With that, I had time to kill. Being alone and with no means of transportation, I decided to hike to the top of Bald Ridge - the ridge at the top of the Picnic Grounds, named for its lack of vegetation other than grass. The fog was dense this morning and I new there would be spectacular pictures from so high up. So, with camera and water in hand, I started my 30 minute trot to the top.
When I got to the top, I immediately noticed ATV tracks, and they looked fresh! Uh Oh! First thought that came into my mind was "Marijuana Growers". We had speculated that there might be growers in the back part of the ranch but have never had tangible evidence. For me, the ATV tracks were evidence enough and I turned around and hopped down the hill as fast as I could.
Five minutes down the ridge I heard the sound of an approaching ATV. "They've seen me!!!", I thought as I picked up the pace and dodged under brush.
I got back down to where the cows were, under the cover of fog, thoughts racing through my mind. Did the ATV see me? Were they coming for me? I also heard a shout as I was running away - were there more of them? Just as I decided it would be best to sit tight some where and wait for Ev to arrive I heard the sound of a fast approaching helicopter, flying low. They were coming for me!!!
I quickly started to jog back down the hill. The Kelly Thompson barn was a long ways off but I was not about to stick around, alone, in a field, as marijuana growers swooped in on me. As I moved, the helicopter quickly got closer - hovering just out of sight in the fog. Were they looking for me? I kept moving and after about an hour, I made it back to the barn to find Ev's truck empty and the mule gone. Ev soon returned and I explained the events of my morning.
He was on his way up when he heard the helicopter. Helicopters have been known to fly low around the ranch (a previously speculated, possible indicator of the marijuana growers). I told Ev the story and he thought that maybe the helicopter was dropping supplies and the ATV was picking it up... and, that they weren't chasing me.
Either way, I had a very stressful morning. I totally bugged out. In my mind, I'd unwilling stepped into a terrifying game of cat and mouse. I survived. I also learned really cool herding techniques. Ranch life is crazy.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
BLOONS
This morning, Emery, Everett's two year old daughter, joined us on the ranch to help gather up the cattle. We moved down into a canyon where Ev and I had left the cows over night (without fencing) as a little experiment to see how well the cows stay together in a relatively confined area. For the most part, the cows were close by. Only a handful had moved all the way up the canyon - and I mean all the way up. I spend the better part of an hour sliding through fallen redwoods, gravel slopes, and distant moos. Despite the effort, and the accumulated sweat, I LOVE playing in the creeks.
Last fall, back in Vermont, a few friends and I (Rusty, Bauer, and Etta) took a day exploring the Hunting Ravine area in Huntington, VT. I was very reminiscent of those memories - jumping from rock to rock, falling in water. The only difference this time was there were cows instead of friends.
We got the cows together. I spent the rest of the afternoon building more paddocks and trying to herd the cows around to an elevated flat to try to achieve some high density.
On another note, BLOONS. Everyone knows the foily balloons that have writing on them for special events - like "It's Graduation!", or "Happy Birthday Sport" (with sports balls). Well, a little known fact is that these balloons are EVERYWHERE. After they escape from backyard parties, they drift away until they land in some distant field where nobody ever sees them again. Every day, if I looked hard enough, I would be able to find at least one balloon somewhere. AHH! So, cut down on the foily balloon purchases and play this game. BLOONS!!!!
Also - here's a cute picture of Ev and Em.
(Many more to come... very soon!!!)
Last fall, back in Vermont, a few friends and I (Rusty, Bauer, and Etta) took a day exploring the Hunting Ravine area in Huntington, VT. I was very reminiscent of those memories - jumping from rock to rock, falling in water. The only difference this time was there were cows instead of friends.
We got the cows together. I spent the rest of the afternoon building more paddocks and trying to herd the cows around to an elevated flat to try to achieve some high density.
On another note, BLOONS. Everyone knows the foily balloons that have writing on them for special events - like "It's Graduation!", or "Happy Birthday Sport" (with sports balls). Well, a little known fact is that these balloons are EVERYWHERE. After they escape from backyard parties, they drift away until they land in some distant field where nobody ever sees them again. Every day, if I looked hard enough, I would be able to find at least one balloon somewhere. AHH! So, cut down on the foily balloon purchases and play this game. BLOONS!!!!
Also - here's a cute picture of Ev and Em.
(Many more to come... very soon!!!)
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Trample Matter
This morning, Joe and I headed out to Watsonville to check on the cows and take down some poly-wire fence. The area where we left the cows last night had been eaten up and we decided to open more space to let them graze for the next few days. The ground looks good but we didn't allow for any "Drought Reserve" to be left behind. Drought reserve is what Joe and Ev call feed that is not grazed so in case of a drought, the cows can come back to a previously visited field to feed.
Optimally, we would give the cows enough feed so that they take a single bite out of the most energy rich parts of the grass. Joe explained that this is the flowers, leaves, and seeds. The rest or the plant should be trampled - crushing carbon into the ground. In the end, there should be just enough grass left for a drought reserve, in case the cows need to come back to the given area.
I'm not sure if we are going to go check on the cows tomorrow, as they have plenty of feed. But it would be interesting to see what the area we gave them will look like in the morning. We're still watching the effects of high density and analysis our observations to make the most informed decisions about how to most efficiently use high density. Any time we visit the cows we gather valuable data.
Optimally, we would give the cows enough feed so that they take a single bite out of the most energy rich parts of the grass. Joe explained that this is the flowers, leaves, and seeds. The rest or the plant should be trampled - crushing carbon into the ground. In the end, there should be just enough grass left for a drought reserve, in case the cows need to come back to the given area.
I'm not sure if we are going to go check on the cows tomorrow, as they have plenty of feed. But it would be interesting to see what the area we gave them will look like in the morning. We're still watching the effects of high density and analysis our observations to make the most informed decisions about how to most efficiently use high density. Any time we visit the cows we gather valuable data.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Upon Return
I got back to work yesturday after taking Wednesday off to spend the day with my brother and some new friends. After a particularly slow morning, Everett and I got started building more poly-wire fence in anticipation of moving the cows this weekend.
Today, I awoke to "Rise and Shine, Ben!" being hollered outside my house. My alarm failed to go off and I was late for my 6:30 a.m. rendezvous with Joe and Ev. In a haste, I threw on some cloths, grabbed an apple, and jumped into the my truck to go meet Joe and Ev at the ranch.
We spent the morning moving the cows to fresh feed and speculating on their next move. I used a chain saw today to clear some road - danger! Also, Ev and I built a couple more fences, subdividing the larger fence we laid down yesterday. We'll use these paddocks for the weekend and maybe even Monday and Tuesday. Joe and I will be back out on the ranch in the morning, opening up more feed and documenting the progress of the cows.
Special thanks to Matt, Pat, Tori, and Josh for an especially fantastic time on Wednesday in Santa Cruz and at the Phish. Love.
Today, I awoke to "Rise and Shine, Ben!" being hollered outside my house. My alarm failed to go off and I was late for my 6:30 a.m. rendezvous with Joe and Ev. In a haste, I threw on some cloths, grabbed an apple, and jumped into the my truck to go meet Joe and Ev at the ranch.
We spent the morning moving the cows to fresh feed and speculating on their next move. I used a chain saw today to clear some road - danger! Also, Ev and I built a couple more fences, subdividing the larger fence we laid down yesterday. We'll use these paddocks for the weekend and maybe even Monday and Tuesday. Joe and I will be back out on the ranch in the morning, opening up more feed and documenting the progress of the cows.
Special thanks to Matt, Pat, Tori, and Josh for an especially fantastic time on Wednesday in Santa Cruz and at the Phish. Love.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Brush Yo Teeth
Today Everett and I visited the cows again. We moved them down into the bottom of the back bowl, pushing them through brush and opening up a lot of overgrowth. By doing this, we exposed the cows to areas that they had not been before. There wasn't much grass but the cows quickly started munching on the plethora of brush and leaves that were around.
We ran into a problem with the calves that had gotten out under the fence. After we moved the herd, we went back to gather up the calves. By doing it in this order (rather than getting everything together then moving them) a bunch of the cows that we had moved came back up the hill in search of their calves. After some more time spent herding on foot, we were able to successfully get the cows in the same general area - which after a couple hours was good enough!
Later in the afternoon, after putting up more fence for new paddocks, Ev and I returned to the cows to find them laying down and the calves prancing around. According to Joe and Everette, this is a sign that the cows are happy - that they are content and all their needs have been met. To me, the cows seemed happy enough laying under the trees and chewing on leaves.
Tomorrow, Matt is arriving with his party and I will be taking the afternoon and Wednesday off. In the morning, Ev and I are going to move the cows into their new paddock (still in the Pick Nick Grounds) and rearrange some fencing.
I took pictures today but left them in the Mule (the 4x4). I won't be posting for the next few days but will be enjoying some quality family time... and seeing Phish.
Look for pictures soon!
We ran into a problem with the calves that had gotten out under the fence. After we moved the herd, we went back to gather up the calves. By doing it in this order (rather than getting everything together then moving them) a bunch of the cows that we had moved came back up the hill in search of their calves. After some more time spent herding on foot, we were able to successfully get the cows in the same general area - which after a couple hours was good enough!
Later in the afternoon, after putting up more fence for new paddocks, Ev and I returned to the cows to find them laying down and the calves prancing around. According to Joe and Everette, this is a sign that the cows are happy - that they are content and all their needs have been met. To me, the cows seemed happy enough laying under the trees and chewing on leaves.
Tomorrow, Matt is arriving with his party and I will be taking the afternoon and Wednesday off. In the morning, Ev and I are going to move the cows into their new paddock (still in the Pick Nick Grounds) and rearrange some fencing.
I took pictures today but left them in the Mule (the 4x4). I won't be posting for the next few days but will be enjoying some quality family time... and seeing Phish.
Look for pictures soon!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Cows Cows Cows
I checked on the cows again today. Water was working great and the cows looked good. The only problem was that they totally trashed one of the poly-wire fences that we'd put the other day. It was separating the top half of the back bowl from the bottom half. After about an hour working to untie knots and untangle the wire, I took down the remainder of the fence, allowing the cows to move freely into the bottom half of the bowl (...if they were not doing so before). Before I left, I moved the cows to water again, this time bringing them around the top rather than along the road in the middle.
Work again tomorrow morning. My brother Matt and some friends are coming to stay with me for a couple nights - maybe arriving tomorrow?!?!? I need to clean my house before they arrive, but they will probably be camping in the barn...
Work again tomorrow morning. My brother Matt and some friends are coming to stay with me for a couple nights - maybe arriving tomorrow?!?!? I need to clean my house before they arrive, but they will probably be camping in the barn...
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Saturday Note
I checked the cows this morning to make sure their water was working and everything was in order. Officially day two of working siphon - fingers crossed that it holds and we've solved the mysterious problem.
I plan on checking the cows again tomorrow and, depending on whether or not they have enough feed, maybe opening another fence to give them more space to graze. I'm starting to think about where the cows are going to go from here. Everett and I have floated a couple possibilities - keeping them watering from the same pond until it goes dry/use all the land around it now, or move them along towards Arrano Flat, like we planned.
Joe is supposed to return from vacation on Tuesday and I am sure he will have some insight into the most effective next step.
I plan on checking the cows again tomorrow and, depending on whether or not they have enough feed, maybe opening another fence to give them more space to graze. I'm starting to think about where the cows are going to go from here. Everett and I have floated a couple possibilities - keeping them watering from the same pond until it goes dry/use all the land around it now, or move them along towards Arrano Flat, like we planned.
Joe is supposed to return from vacation on Tuesday and I am sure he will have some insight into the most effective next step.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Water
Today, upon arrival at the trough to check if the siphon was working, Ev and I were both stunned to find that, in fact, the water was working!!! All week long we've been having to prime the siphon every morning so that the cows could water. Today, that changed.
In the Picnic Grounds there are three troughs, of which the lower two can feed from a siphon that drains from a storage pond at the top of the field. The pond gets its water from a tank higher up, that, in turn, gets its water from a creek. To get the siphon to work we have to pressurize the water line going down to the troughs with water from the tank. Once the line is pressurized and air has been forced out, we shut off the water at the tank. Next, we turn a valve at the pond that opens the 20 foot line that leads to the base of the pond. In doing so, the force of gravity pulling the water down to the troughs sucks water out of the pond, finalizing the pressurized line.
For the past week we've been watering the cows through this process. Every morning we've found the troughs with about a third of the water in them, meaning that some how the pressure in the line got air in it and broke the siphon.
Today, to my amazment, the water worked. Tomorrow.... is tomorrow.
In the Picnic Grounds there are three troughs, of which the lower two can feed from a siphon that drains from a storage pond at the top of the field. The pond gets its water from a tank higher up, that, in turn, gets its water from a creek. To get the siphon to work we have to pressurize the water line going down to the troughs with water from the tank. Once the line is pressurized and air has been forced out, we shut off the water at the tank. Next, we turn a valve at the pond that opens the 20 foot line that leads to the base of the pond. In doing so, the force of gravity pulling the water down to the troughs sucks water out of the pond, finalizing the pressurized line.
For the past week we've been watering the cows through this process. Every morning we've found the troughs with about a third of the water in them, meaning that some how the pressure in the line got air in it and broke the siphon.
Today, to my amazment, the water worked. Tomorrow.... is tomorrow.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Out of the Fog
Everett and I were horse back by 9 this morning. After attempting to start our water siphon - our water system for the troughs we are using - we crossed the ranch on Annie and Pearl to retrieve 31 cows out of the Lower Bull Pasture. As we did, we were drowned in fog.
Mornings in Watsonville, CA are cool and cloudy. At night, moisture from Monterey Bay extends its reach into the hills, gripping the ranch in clouds and fog until the sun burns off the moisture around noon. This morning, climbing into the clouds, I felt like I was in the civil war, waiting for musket bearing soldiers to appear over the hills. It was awesome.
We quickly gathered the cows and brought them to the Kelly Corals to bob their tails - an indicator that they have not been breed and will be grass fed beef for next year.
We returned to our high stock cattle in the afternoon, fixed some fence, started the water again, and cleared a long forgotten road through the back bowl of "The Picnic Grounds". Tomorrow night or Saturday morning we'll move the cows into the bowl and leave them there for the weekend, allowing them to water out of the "Dry Lake" pond so we don't have to worry about getting the siphon started.
I talked to Everett today and decided to start taking pictures to visually document the progress we are making with our high stock density. Look for them to come.
Mornings in Watsonville, CA are cool and cloudy. At night, moisture from Monterey Bay extends its reach into the hills, gripping the ranch in clouds and fog until the sun burns off the moisture around noon. This morning, climbing into the clouds, I felt like I was in the civil war, waiting for musket bearing soldiers to appear over the hills. It was awesome.
We quickly gathered the cows and brought them to the Kelly Corals to bob their tails - an indicator that they have not been breed and will be grass fed beef for next year.
We returned to our high stock cattle in the afternoon, fixed some fence, started the water again, and cleared a long forgotten road through the back bowl of "The Picnic Grounds". Tomorrow night or Saturday morning we'll move the cows into the bowl and leave them there for the weekend, allowing them to water out of the "Dry Lake" pond so we don't have to worry about getting the siphon started.
I talked to Everett today and decided to start taking pictures to visually document the progress we are making with our high stock density. Look for them to come.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
THREE WORDS...
High Stock Density.
This past week, we've been trying to increase stock density as a means to achieve better land management. What this means is that the cattle will be kept in a smaller paddock (15 acres is the ideal... maybe). The effect of an increased number of cattle on a small piece of land means that the grass, thistle, and other vegetation gets laid down over the ground. This, in turn, allows rain to be more efficiently trapped in the soil (as opposed to running off), promotes greater biological activity in and on top of the soil, and builds soil - in doing so sequestering carbon from the atmosphere.
To successfully obtain the ecological effects of high stock density we need to create paddocks for the cows that provide enough feed and water for a one day stay. This means that we also have to move the cattle every day to a new area or expose them to more feed each day.
So far, in three days, we've moved the cows through three paddocks. The landscape that was a result of the movement and grazing after the cows were moved indicates that we're getting closer to understanding the many variables involved in achieving optimal land management and grazing practices. Everett and I have been walking the cows from paddock to paddock and moving them to areas where higher density is needed to lay down thick areas of thistle. Soon, I think, we'll be able to accurately assess the land before moving the cows so as to successfully achieve all our holistic goals and maintain optimal cattle health!
I'm going to be more diligent in my blogging so I can better paint a picture of the day to day activities that are happening on the ranch. So really... look for daily posts to come!
- ben
This past week, we've been trying to increase stock density as a means to achieve better land management. What this means is that the cattle will be kept in a smaller paddock (15 acres is the ideal... maybe). The effect of an increased number of cattle on a small piece of land means that the grass, thistle, and other vegetation gets laid down over the ground. This, in turn, allows rain to be more efficiently trapped in the soil (as opposed to running off), promotes greater biological activity in and on top of the soil, and builds soil - in doing so sequestering carbon from the atmosphere.
To successfully obtain the ecological effects of high stock density we need to create paddocks for the cows that provide enough feed and water for a one day stay. This means that we also have to move the cattle every day to a new area or expose them to more feed each day.
So far, in three days, we've moved the cows through three paddocks. The landscape that was a result of the movement and grazing after the cows were moved indicates that we're getting closer to understanding the many variables involved in achieving optimal land management and grazing practices. Everett and I have been walking the cows from paddock to paddock and moving them to areas where higher density is needed to lay down thick areas of thistle. Soon, I think, we'll be able to accurately assess the land before moving the cows so as to successfully achieve all our holistic goals and maintain optimal cattle health!
I'm going to be more diligent in my blogging so I can better paint a picture of the day to day activities that are happening on the ranch. So really... look for daily posts to come!
- ben
Thursday, July 16, 2009
In the begining...
I am starting this blog to try to bring some awareness to the ongoings of T.O. Cattle Co. and MorrisGrassfed Beef as I learn about holistic managment, sustainable agriculture, range land mangement, and life. I will be writing new posts a couple times a week as I further my knowledge and continue to learn about agriculture during my time here as an intern for T.O.
Look for more to come soon!
Look for more to come soon!
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