Another Stampede — And What Caused It
It’s been one of those weeks. Get something warm to drink, sit a minute at the table with me so we can visit.
Al is focused on the problem. I’m focused on the fix.
Last week, we were watching the forecast, knowing a storm was coming — and when Friday showed up, it brought more than expected. Cold, wind, and just enough snow to make everything feel sharp.
The cows handled it well. They had bales laid out, tall grass to bed down in, water still open, and an old wooden granary they could stand behind to block the wind. When you set things up right, storms are a lot easier on everyone.
Yesterday, the ice was still on the water tank, but melting!
The Mystery Behind the Stampede
If you remember the steer stampede we mentioned earlier this winter, we finally learned what sparked it.
Saturday morning, right after feeding pellets, the steers went to eat hay… then came racing back toward the house. Eyes wide. Jumping feeders. Full panic.
Then we heard barking.
Two big white dogs had come through. The kind that guard sheep. They didn’t hurt the steers, but they terrified them. They were hard on our cats, and we lost two. When we checked the heifers, we found one with a big rip in her side.
M23 was just weaned at the start of January, which makes her a tough little girl.
Monday’s job was a full one:
- • Trail the heifers two miles home
- • Sort out the injured girl
- • Load her into the horse trailer
- • Vet visit, stitches, drain wick, antibiotics
- • Then home to rest and heal
She’s now in her own pen, quiet and comfortable, while we get her through the next few weeks. Because cattle are ruminants with four stomachs, infections are always a concern — so we’re careful and steady with her care.
She’s calm. Sweet. Easy to work with. I’ve been calling her Stitch. Al calls her Rip.
We’re open to better ideas. What do you think we can name her?
Back to Steady Ground
The rest of the week brought better news.
We got a load of feed for the steers just before the storm hit. Tuesday, the remaining heifers moved back out to the Taj Mahal. And the cows got turned onto new grass across the hot wire.
That was a Cow Christmas kind of day — heads up, tails out, running like somebody left the gate open.
The steers are right on schedule — eating, growing, and doing exactly what they should be doing.
We shipped another steak box, sent out two beef stick orders (including the new Teriyaki), and packed a ground beef order for a family tiding them over until June.
Things feel mostly back under control now.
A Quick Freezer Check
We’re down to the last couple of beef available for summer delivery.
Once those are spoken for, the next bulk beef will be in October. And we won’t be shipping in July or August this year. Deliveries in person at that point in the summer.
So if you want beef in your freezer by the 4th of July, now is the time to get your deposit in.
And while you’re thinking about your freezer, don’t forget to help us name that tough little heifer. We love hearing your ideas.
P.S. If you’re not sure what size beef makes sense for your family, email or call. I’m happy to help you think it through.
