113°...and We're Thinking About Winter

I have to admit...this week I found myself appreciating air conditioning.

 

Not at home—we don't have it there.

 

But I sure appreciated climbing into the pickup after chores and feeling that cool air on the drive to town.

 

The tractor has air conditioning too, and this time of year that's a welcome luxury.

 

Yesterday afternoon the pickup thermometer read 113°.

 

Needless to say, we didn't linger outside any longer than we had to!

 

Back at the house, our air conditioning is a little more old-fashioned.

 

Once the sun goes down, we open every window and turn on the ceiling fans. 

 

Thankfully, Montana evenings usually cool off enough that by morning the house feels pretty comfortable again.

 

I hope you're finding a good way to beat the heat too.

 

Even though it feels like the middle of summer, ranchers don't have the luxury of thinking only about today.

 

We're already preparing for winter.

 

Preparing for Winter...One Bale at a Time

This week we've been busy putting up hay.

 

Every bale we haul to the hay yard this week will become feed for our cattle months from now when snow covers the Montana prairie.

 

It's hard to imagine feeding hay while you're sweating through your shirt, but that's ranch life.

 

Around here we call fields full of flag-wrapped bales "Flag Bale Alley."

 

If you have driven down our roads, you know exactly what I'm talking about.

 

Keeping an Eye on the Herd

This week also meant checking body condition on our cows before breeding season.

 

It's one of those jobs most folks never see, but it's an important one.

 

Healthy cows raise healthy calves, so we keep a close eye on how each one is doing before the bulls are turned out.

 

The older girls were pretty happy when we moved the electric fence again and gave them another fresh strip of alfalfa.

 

 

An Update on D67

Many of you wrote after last week's Ranch Roundup about D67.

 

Thank you.

 

Your emails, kind words, and prayers meant more than you know.

 

Unfortunately, despite everything we tried, D67 didn't make it.

 

She had been part of our ranch for many years, and losing a good cow is never easy.

 

We spend so much time with these animals that they become more than just a number in the herd.

 

We're grateful for the years she gave us and for the calves she raised over her lifetime.  We have 2 of her daughters in our herd raising calves of their own.

 

Your kindness reminded us just how many wonderful people are following along with life here on the ranch.

 

Rapid City Delivery Day

One of my favorite parts of this ranch life is meeting customers.

 

This week we were back in Rapid City making deliveries, and one longtime customer received a new steak turner as a thank-you for supporting our ranch over the years.

 

Seeing smiling faces and catching up with folks makes those delivery days special.

 

 

The 4-H Fair Has Wrapped Up

Our local 4-H Fair has come to an end, and we can get enough pigs for everyone reserving pork shares.

 

We're helping those families finalize their cutting instructions and packaging preferences before processing begins.

 

It's always fun watching these young people enjoy the rewards of months of hard work.

 

Monday Is Bull Day

While we've been making hay, we've also been checking water tanks, moving the electric fence, and getting pastures ready.

 

Monday is a big day.

 

Our bulls head to the vet for their pre-breeding exams before they're turned out with the cows.

 

We load all five bulls into a horse trailer before it gets too hot and make the hour-plus trip to town.

 

Every year I hope everyone remembers their manners.

 

A few years ago, they were fighting so hard in the trailer that when I asked Al if we could stop at the grocery store for a head of lettuce and a bunch of bananas,

 

He looked at me and said, "Nope."

 

He was afraid we'd end up with five bulls loose in the grocery store parking lot!

 

These days we rent a larger trailer with divider gates, and thankfully the ride is much calmer.

 

If you happen to think of us Monday morning, we'd appreciate a little prayer that everyone passes their exams and behaves themselves.

 

I'll let you know how it goes next Friday.

Supper While We Sleep

With temperatures like these, turning the oven up to 350° just isn't very appealing.

 

So last night supper cooked while we slept.

 

A brisket and a roast spent the night slowly cooking in Reynolds oven bags at 200°.

 

By morning, supper was well on its way, and the house stayed a whole lot cooler.

 

Sometimes ranchers learn to work with the weather instead of fighting it.

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ What Our Customers Are Saying

"T Bar J is the best!"

"We have been purchasing all of our beef for...6, maybe 8 years. We buy all of our beef once a year from Amber and Al and wouldn't do it any differently. We'll continue purchasing from T Bar J Ranch. It has significantly increased our standard of living."

— Tom

 

Thank you, Tom, for taking the time to share your experience. We truly appreciate your support over the years.

 

Thinking about filling your freezer this fall?

 

Learn more about our Beef Shares.

 

Thanks for riding along with us this week.

 

We're glad you're here.

 

If you happen to think of us Monday morning, say a little prayer for us and the bulls.

 

We'll share how everything went in next week's Ranch Roundup.

 

Stay cool this weekend.

 

P.S. While we're putting up hay for winter, many of our customers are preparing for fall by reserving their beef share.

 

If you'd like to fill your freezer with all-natural Montana beef this September, we're always happy to answer your questions.

 

Check out our Shop page to learn more.