January 26, 2012

Bessey’s Equality

Posted by RealRanchers under Culture | Tags: , , , |
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The saga of Bessey Stacy Badger, my great-grandmother’s mother, who homesteaded with her husband, Leland, is a story of equality. They homesteaded in eastern Wyoming in the late eighteen hundred’s. Wyoming was known as the “equality state,” a fortunate state for Bessey and Leland to choose to homestead.

RealRancher Ondi writes about Wyoming ranching history

Leland Badger's parents circa 1871

This is not a story about Leland.  Stories passed down abound of him being a ‘wonderlust’, as Robert Service would dub. I must portray lightly this character, Leland, to give you the entire fortune that equality in Wyoming brought for Bessey.

Read the full story on RealRancher Ondi Shepperson’s blog.

 

January 6, 2012

Snaring Coyotes

Posted by RealRanchers under Culture, Real Ranching | Tags: , , , , , |
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Coyotes are predators to other wildlife such as deer. They are also predators to our new born calves.

Last spring the coyotes were after our registered calves and just about killed one. Luckily my Grandma went up there and caught the coyotes, killing one, while the other ran off. If they kill our calves that can cost us $2,000 and up. That’s a pricey meal for those coyotes.

Livestock losses due to predators take a big bite out of a ranchers income. Photo from Kent Price.

They also kill baby deer and we’ve been trying to raise our deer population numbers. The coyotes are not helping. They are a bad predator to have.

So this fall and winter I decided to eliminate some coyotes by snaring them. Snares tie to a fence at the bottom at a hole where the coyotes crawl through. When the coyotes try to crawl through the hole they get caught. Then I kill the coyote, skin it and sell its pelt.

Trapping coyotes in Wyoming to reduce predator losses in cattle herd.

The snares trap coyotes crawling through the fence

Ranchers trap, kill and skin the coyote. The coyote hides are then sold.

I’m protecting our herd of cattle and the deer. I’m also making money selling their pelts.

Snaring is like a chore, you have to check the snares every other day. It’s an enjoyable learning experience.

From RealRancher Katie Keith – Casper, WY

 

December 27, 2011

The Fall Drive

Posted by RealRanchers under Culture, Public Lands, Real Ranching | Tags: , , , , , |
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By Colin Beal

Colin spent time in Wyoming this year working on ranches. He helped the Hellyer family for a short time before heading off to new adventures. This is his account of his experience gathering cattle.

At 6 a.m., the National Anthem played over the radio at the breakfast table.  Like the beginning of a sporting event, “home of the brave” signified the challenge ahead.  The words proved to be accurate, as my host and friends would brave the cold for three days to drive cattle roughly 35 miles.

The drive started at the Burnt Ranch on South Pass, located at the intersection of what was the Oregon, California, and Mormon Trails.  The wide open plateau extends beyond the horizon on a good day, and well beyond visibility in blowing snow.

Blogging about gathering cattle in Wyoming

A coyote looks on as the cattle were gathered on Day 1

The herd was well-positioned to be gathered and fed at the west end of the Ranch around the cabin for the night.  The cattle are accustomed to spending their summers on a mixture of federal and private land. This management strategy with public and private land is critical to the operation.

Blogging about gathering cattle on South Pass in Wyoming

The Burnt Ranch cabin on South Pass

The Burnt Ranch is the base of summer operations for the Ranch.  As summer turns to fall, the cattle are moved to irrigated pastures along the Sweetwater River. When winter approaches, the cattle are fed hay and gathered to begin the drive down to Lander and a friendly climate.

Cattle roundup in Wyoming

It looks like this cow was ready to get off the mountain

Putting tire chains on the truck while herding cattle in Wyoming

An anxious herd watches Rob Hellyer and his son, Jim, put tire chains on the truck

Several inches of snow fell that night and the strong winds made for rough road conditions.  As a result, the ranchers’ reinforcements (all neighbors) had to improvise.  The five-man crew coming up the mountain from Lander on the second day was forced to park their trucks and horse trailers in Atlantic City and ride the remaining distance up the mountain to meet the herd.  This delayed their arrival, and, the four-man crew from the cabin set out alone to begin the drive.  Despite the lead tractor getting stuck in a drift and a faulty tire chain that immobilized a truck and trailer, the four-man crew from the cabin was able to get the cattle lined-out and moving across the snow-blown mountain.

Gathering cattle in the blowing snow in Wyoming

Rob Hellyer (on foot) and his wife, Martha (on horseback), moving cattle through the snow

Gathering cattle in Wyoming

A view from the back

Gathering cattle in the winter in Wyoming

Martha Hellyer and her son, George

With eight riders, progress was steady for the rest of day two.  The cattle reached the overnight holding pen, 15 miles from the cabin, and were fed just before dark.  After a long day, the crew was ready for a meal and a warm fire to escape the single digit temperatures and strong winds.

Feeding hay in winter in Wyoming

Jim Hellyer feeds hay in single digit temperatures

On the last day, the cattle were driven off the mountain along highway 28.  The riders’ job was to keep the herd moving steadily, keep cattle out of the road, and be careful of oncoming trucks and traffic.  Contrary to the dismal weather forecast, winds were mild on the third day and the crew was able to move the herd roughly 20 miles to winter pasture.

Trailing cattle along the road

The herd passing Red Canyon.

Last of the herd goes by.

Rob Hellyer and his daughter, Jessica, bring in the last of the herd.

 

November 28, 2011

The Contraption

Posted by RealRanchers under Culture, Real Ranching | Tags: , , , , , , , , |
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con·trap·tion [kuh n-trap-shuhn] a mechanical contrivance; gadget; device.

Have you ever built something that turned out not quite as intended?  Well, from time to time I have built some things which cost a lot of time, do actually work, but really need improvement.

For example, consider my recent stab at a “portable fence corner.”  Depending on feedback from this I may or may not enter FarmJournal’s best idea for a $100 contest.

To begin, a portable fence corner is necessary because…..well because I can’t make up my mind and may want to move it.  Or, if there is a will there is a way.  Or, maybe I didn’t want to dig a hole and decided that a more than one ton block of concrete should do the trick.

Let us break down the project.

RealRancher Jim Hellyer uses rancher ingenuity and humor to build a portable fence corner on his cattle ranch and hay operation near Lander, Wyoming.

This is phase one of what some in my family refer to as “another one of your contraptions.”  In this picture I have assembled most of the various parts.  Notice the cleanliness and attention to detail in the workplace.

RealRancher Jim Hellyer uses rancher ingenuity and humor to build a portable fence corner on his cattle ranch and hay operation near Lander, Wyoming.

This is phase two of my shovel ready project.  Notice that the foundation of the future corner was set without the aid of a shovel.  This greatly increases the speed and efficiency of the project.

The three inch circlular hole on the right of the block is designed to accept used oil field pipe.

RealRancher Jim Hellyer uses rancher ingenuity and humor to build a portable fence corner on his cattle ranch and hay operation near Lander, Wyoming.

Phase three brings physical placement.  This requires a vehicle to transport the corner and associated parts and a loader to place the block and raise the steel components.

RealRancher Jim Hellyer uses rancher ingenuity and humor to build a portable fence corner on his cattle ranch and hay operation near Lander, Wyoming.

And now we arrive at the final phase, also known as implementation.  Of course a fence must be attached to truly complete the project, but the corner is placed and should not budge.  This particular corner block sits at a 45 degree angle to the future fence.

It will work.  It may not have been as quick as setting several posts, but it was rewarding to build. Ranching is a rewarding life, not because of the project of the day, but because individuals get to run their own life.  It is self employment to the max.

Perhaps someday I will share some photos of other projects.  Things such as home-built gated pipe trailer for your four-wheeler (weight approximately 600 pounds upon completion), or my favorite: super bungee corral gate latch.

From RealRancher Jim Hellyer – Lander, Wyo.

 

November 10, 2011

Fall Drive

Posted by RealRanchers under Culture, Environmental Stewardship, Real Ranching
1 Comment 

This is our yearly Cattle Drive, which is about 25 miles long.

Cattle must be moved from place to place in Wyoming to provide enough feed for the livestock without harming the range by overgrazing.

We trail about 200-350 cows every year back and forth between home and the place we lease. We start early in the morning and get done late in the afternoon.

Moving cattle from one place to another is often done horseback or with vehicles and ATVs. It is often more efficient and economical to move cattle in one big group than it would be to hire trucks to haul the large herds of cattle from place to place.

Its become a fun family time! We trail in the spring and then again in the fall and have been taking the trip for 6 or 7 years. I think it feels shorter every time we go!

From RealRancher Katie Keith – Casper, WY

 

November 4, 2011

Snow Day

Posted by RealRanchers under Animal Welfare, Real Ranching | Tags: , , , , |
[2] Comments 

Remember snow days when you were a kid? It was so much fun! No school; just drinking cocoa and wearing 14 layers of clothes to go run around in the yard.

Well, the RealRanchers of the Green River Valley (and most others I’ve ever been around) do not believe in snow days.

THIS is a snow day for Wyoming ranchers. It means you’re working IN the snow. Not getting OUT of work or school because of the snow.

In order to be the best caretakers of the animals they raise, ranchers have to be on call 24/7/365. Whether it’s gathering the herd in a blizzard, feeding in below-freezing temps, chopping ice on water or doctoring sick animals in the howling wind, the work must go on.

Those animals aren’t going to take a day off from eating or drinking. They’re selfish that way.

Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell us about it in the comments section or at www.facebook.com/realranchers.

Photo taken by RealRanchers.com during the 2011 Green River Drift.

 

October 26, 2011

Dirty Job

Posted by RealRanchers under Animal Welfare, Real Ranching | Tags: , , , , , |
[3] Comments 

You’ve all seen Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe on the Discovery Channel, right?

Well Dr. George Harty can relate.

Dr. George Harty "preg-checks" cows and heifers on the TRH Ranch North of Lance Creek, Wyoming.

Dr. Harty, Silver Cliff Vet Clinic, pregnancy checked (ranchers call it "preg checking") more than 100 cows and heifers on the TRH Ranch North of Lance Creek, WY on Monday.

Our thoughts go out to the person that does George’s laundry.

From RealRanchers, the Hamilton Family – Lance Creek, WY

 

October 18, 2011

Tell her what she’s won!

Posted by RealRanchers under Culture, Real Partners | Tags: , , |
[5] Comments 

We recently hosted a promotion on our Facebook page. The 1000th person to “like” us won a prize package of Wyoming Made goodies! Our winner was Margreet from Ohio.

Our 1000th fan on Facebook won a large prize package of Wyoming Made goodies!

This is what Margreet told us about herself, “We have a small farm…set of 13 year old boy/girl twins, a 3 year old little girl, a golden retriever, a hamster, a cockatiel, a guinea pig and a bunny! I grew up in Holland (my dad had one of those large windmills) and was around animals all my life, so I guess there is always an interest.”

So obviously Margreet isn’t really involved in production agriculture, but we are so excited that folks outside the industry are connecting with www.realranchers.com to find out what REALLY happens in the meadows, mountains and Main Streets of Wyoming! We started this blog nearly a year and a half ago to help spread truthful stories and correct misinformation about agriculture and rural living.

Thank you to these Wyoming Made companies for your generous donation to our giveaway!

Baer's Pantry chokecherry jam

Baer's Pantry chokecherry jam

Baer’s Pantry, located in Carpenter, Wyo., offers all-natural homemade jams and Wild Chokecherry Syrup. Smucker’s ain’t got nothin’ on Baer’s!

Baker Farms whole wheat flour and Prairie Pie

Baker Farms whole wheat flour and Prairie Pie

Baker Farms On-Farm Bakery, located in Chugwater, Wyo., makes breads, cookies and organic whole-grain, whole-wheat flour. Contact Dennis & Terry Baker at dwbaker@vcn.com. Their Prairie Pies are unique and scrumptious!

Chugwater Chili spice mix, dip mix, jelly, steak rub and cookbook

Chugwater Chili spice blend, dip-dressing mix, red pepper jelly, steak rub and cookbook

Chugwater Chili Corp., is also located in Chugwater and is near and dear to my heart as my grandparents were one of the founding families. Their prize-winning chili spice blend has expanded to include dip-dressing mix, steak rub and more!

Encana Oil & Gas tape measure

Encana Oil & Gas tape measure

Encana Oil & Gas is an industry leader and very involved in Wyoming. They are a main sponsor of RealRanchers.com and contribute hundreds of thousands of dollars to bettering Wyoming every year.

Gaukel Grown & Ground whole-wheat bread, pancake and muffin mixes

Gaukel Grown & Ground whole-wheat bread, pancake and muffin mixes

Gaukel Grown & Ground is family-farming at its finest! Kevin, Julie and their children raise wheat at Keeline, Wyo. and create all-natural whole wheat mixes to sell.

Kaycee Cutter and tea towels from Miss in the Kitchen

Kaycee Cutter and cotton flour sack towels from Miss in the Kitchen

The Kaycee Cutter was invented by Tony Armstrong who ranches with his wife Milisa and their 3 boys in Kaycee, Wyo. It is made right in Wyoming and packaged and shipped from the ranch. Milisa also has a food blog, www.missinthekitchen.com, where she also sells these 100% unbleached cotton flour sack towels with printed designs.

Lucy's Sheep Camp Hand-Dyed Wool Products

Lucy's Sheep Camp Hand-Dyed Wool Yarn

Lucy’s Sheep Camp is located in Thermopolis, Wyo. and run by rancher Billie Jo Norsworthy. She sells high-quality, hand-dyed wool products from her own sheep. Her yarn colors are inspired by nature and will spark anyone’s creativity.

Coasters from Riversong Leather - Artist Leah Burgess

Coasters from Riversong Leather Studio - Artist Leah Burgess

Leah Burgess is the artist behind Riversong Leather Studio in Laramie, Wyo. She creates original designs and custom pieces which emphasize the natural strength and simple beauty of leather.

Wyoming Pure Natural Beef

Beef Jerky from Wyoming Pure Natural Beef

Wyoming Pure Natural Beef is owned and operated by the Goertz family in Slater, Wyo. They produce a high-quality product you can serve knowing that it was handled with care on the high plains of Wyoming.

The Wyoming Stock Growers supplied an "Eat Beef: The West wasn't won on salad" bumper sticker, Code of the West magnet, Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office ranch history book, and information about WSGA Supporting Membership

The Wyoming Stock Growers Association

The Wyoming Stock Growers supplied an “Eat Beef: The West Wasn’t Won on Salad” bumper sticker, a “Code of the West” magnet, a Wyoming ranch history book from the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office and information about the WSGA Supporting Membership.

Wyoing Lifestyler Magazine

Wyoming Lifestyle Magazine

Wyoming Lifestyle Magazine is a wonderful quarterly magazine filled with Wyoming’s Treaures! You can pick them up for free at various places across the state or subscribe for a minimal fee.

We also sent some of these goodies to Pam in Colorado as a runner-up prize.

Thank you to all our loyal subscribers to the blog, followers on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube! Keep checking back and tell your friends, family, coworkers and strangers on the street about us.

From Liz Lauck, Wyoming Stock Growers Association

 

October 10, 2011

Fall Looks Good

Posted by RealRanchers under Public Lands, Real Ranching | Tags: , , , , |
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Fall is looking good in Crook County, Wyoming.Fall Autumn Devils Tower CattleRancher and Wyoming State Senator Ogden Driskill took this photo recently of his heifers (young female cattle that haven’t calved or have just had their first calf) on his ranch which is located near Devils Tower. Devils Tower was the first U.S. National Monument and has quite the legend.

Many of Wyoming’s ranches border state and federal land, ensuring the connectivity of open spaces and Wyoming’s iconic landscapes.

 

September 22, 2011

A Different Kind of Tourist

Posted by RealRanchers under Real Partners, Real Ranching | Tags: , , , , , , |
[2] Comments 
Teichert Angus on the Wyoming Angus Tour

The Wyoming Angus Tour visits Teichert Angus. These cow/calf pairs are on summer range between Cokeville and the Idaho border.

The 2011 Wyoming Angus Tour, Sept. 17-18 in Southwestern Wyoming, was a success with breeders from every corner of the state making the trip to Lincoln and Sublette Counties.

Cow/Calf pair in Wyoming

Jensen Angus cow/calf pair

According to the American Angus Association, Angus cattle first came to America from Scotland in 1873. The breed is naturally hornless and most are black or red. They are one of the most popular breeds raised in the U.S. and more than 60% of all American cattle have Angus influence, according to a representative from Certified Angus Beef.

Mark Teichert of Teichert Angus in Cokeville, Wyo.

Mark Teichert discusses Teichert Angus in Cokeville which he operates with his brothers, Matthew and Tim

The tour included breeder stops at Teichert Angus in Cokeville, Hepworth Angus in Auburn, Jensen Angus in Boulder and Lucky 7 Angus in Boulder.

Tour participants load into a truck to view the cow/calf pairs at Jensen Angus in Wyoming

Tour participants “loaded up” to get an up close view of the cow/calf pairs at Jensen Angus in Boulder, Wyo.

The Hepworth Family raise angus cattle in Auburn, Wyo.

The Hepworth Family (L-R) Hal, Dixie, daughter-in-law Stephanie and son Tyson, own and operate Hepworth Angus in Auburn, Wyo.

Riders on horseback at the Lucky 7 Angus on the Wyoming Angus Tour

Lucky 7 Angus riders hold the herd in place during the Wyoming Angus Tour. Lucky 7 is owned and operated by Jim Jensen and his family in Boulder and Riverton.

The tour also stopped at the Afton Civic Center for a tour of the CallAir Museum and at the Denbury Resources office in Big Piney for a presentation on their Riley Ridge Gas Plant Project that is nearing completion.

Ranchers explore crop dusting history at the Afton Civic Center

David Oedekoven of Sheridan and Wyoming Angus Assn. President Neal Sorenson of Spotted Horse explore the CallAir Museum at the Afton Civic Center. CallAir was a pioneer in developing crop dusting planes

Scott Stinson with Denbury Resources talking about the Riley Ridge Gas Plant

Scott Stinson, project manager with Denbury Resources, discussing their Riley Ridge Gas Plant in Big Piney

Tour Sponsors included the Wyoming Angus Association, Denbury Resources, Farm Credit Services of America (Brad Willford), Rock Springs National Bank, Accelerated Genetics (Don Cox), Jensen Angus, The Wyoming Livestock Roundup, Chef Wendy Schwartz, Colonel Dave Stephens Auction Service and The Boulder Store.

From Curt Cox – Wyoming Livestock Roundup

 

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