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Spring
2006:
BACKGROUND: Each Year the Falster Farm & Cattle Ranch gets a little bit bigger: more cows, more calves, more cowboys and cowgirls want to pitch in and learn about animal husbandry and have fun with friendly animals. There are two times each year that the Falster's undertake this old time event: Spring and Fall; 1st of March and the 1st of October.
The event requires days, sometimes weeks of preparation and then a high degree of coordination and cooperation of the wranglers and the administrators. (double click the photo to enlarge it)
Occasionally there is construction involved:
Here Bill & Lou Simonds setup a new screen door.
As we go around the pastures we find mamas and babies clustered here and there.
And babies are still hitting the ground. To the left we happen on KNF GRAY GHOST being born, unassisted. One of the strong points of our agrarian methodology is the cows can fend for themselves, we seldom need to participate in birthing.
The participants in the gathering up of the cattle start gently moving them toward the Central Paddock: the East Pasture herd is coming in "On Call."
And out of the woods they come too.
The children must participate: they ride the horses
The Bulls are brought into the process last, they are always curious as to what the cows and calves are doing.
We are very proud of our selective line breeding program's success. On the right comes KNF CIBOLO on Nancy's lead, ready to participate. Everyone enjoys his demeanor.
This Spring calving season saw no calf needing assistance in birthing. Our bull's record of small calves, yet with great vigor is impressive. The mama cows all had lots of milk, even in this, our 3rd year of drought!
MB4 MARTIN LUTHER lets loose with a bellow wanting to go in with Cibolo.
Did Bonnie had fun riding our bulls? - a little scared at first.
Cowboy Alex jumped right in the thick of it all, even the Organic Gardening work. He says he learned a lot, we say he gave a lot too.
Cowboy Brice King moves his cows down the "Alley" leading to the "Squeeze Shut" >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Anytime you handle cattle it puts stress on them. The stress is caused from having to make a decision. As simple as to go right or go left puts stress on a cow. So, we try to be as slow and calm with them as possible.
Once the cows are in the alley, they must be eased up to the squeeze chute which will hold them still for hands-on work. Karl measures each cow for height at the hip, pelvic area, and gets their weight. He checks
their tattoo, eyes, hooves, runs his hands and visually inspects every side of the animal. In the background is Noreen King confirming and noting each comment he makes. Nancy prepares each vaccination to meet the label's recommendation for age and weight.
After
the cows are carefully handled, their calves (of all ages and sizes) are ushered in. 
Some are so
small they can turn around in the Alley. But they all get handled, and a tattoo with an ear tag.
On the right our Baby Miniature Registered Herefords await their mamas in the corral next to the Alley. Next they will parade through for inspection themselves, check-ups and identification.
So, once the day is done, and it takes all day: from can-till-can't to get it all done; the Falster's are happy and the cowboys are pooped!
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