Every spring, ranchers brand their calves. Nearly all of the ranchers go to their neighbor's branding, and in return they have a big group of help when their branding rolls around. Most ranchers in this part of the country set the branding dates towards the end of May when most of the cows have calved. Some brandings are earlier or later because the rancher may choose to calve earlier, depending on their individual situations.
The process starts at about 7:30 in the morning gathering cows and calves and penning them in the corral. The next step is separating the mothers and calves. After, the calves are caught, branded, vaccinated, ear marked and the bull calves are castrated. Each rancher has specific things they do, but those are pretty general procedures at a branding. The best part of a branding is the home cooked meal after the work is done.
I have to agree that meal is the best part of a branding.
ReplyDeleteThe meal is always the best! Brandings are usually a pretty good time!
ReplyDeleteDo ranchers talk to each other when scheduling the brandings so they don't overlap? I've heard it's a great community event, but I've never been to one.
ReplyDeleteHow many brandings do you attend in a year?
ReplyDelete