Work through the seasons...
Updated: Dec 9, 2020
As most know, we can’t always predict with farming and ranching. Thanks to Mother Nature, these tasks are always fluid. We never know how long the current pattern will last, and must take each day as they are to accomplish the most we can. If everything ran smoothly (it seems to never LOL) and we had it our way, this is what a typical year may look like for us here in Zell…
[Shoutout to my husband, Garrett, for helping me fill in some blanks for this post. I know a lot that goes on around here, but definitely not ALL!]
Fall (September - November)
Precondition calves
Move cattle from summer grass to fall cover crop grazing
Wean calves
Preg-check cows
Harvest
Stack moving (hauling hay)
Hunting season: Our family owns and operates RZ Pheasant Hunting Lodge. We have been in business since 2003. Pheasant hunting season for the lodge begins opening weekend, which is the 3rd weekend in October and usually runs through the end of November/beginning of December.
Winter (December - March)
Feed cows
Background calves
Calving
Budget forecast and financial planning
Push snow
Equipment maintenance
Spring/Summer (April - August)
Continue calving
Process cattle
Plant crops
Move cows to grass
Check cows
Swathing, raking, baling, and stacking hay
Lot clean up
Fence checking
Construction on new pens, fence building, barns, etc.
What is your favorite season? Even though the winter is a somewhat difficult time for many reasons, I really enjoy seeing the little calves be born! To me, each season has its pluses and minuses. Each year has brought something different, and each year I find something new to either appreciate or strongly dislike ;).
-Morgan-
