What Happens First…
April is the season we call Sprinter
It could be nice... or it could be snowing.
We had a couple of snow days this week — but that didn’t slow down calving preparations.
After looking over the fence and checking everything else, the calving pasture is set:
- ✔️ Grass.
- ✔️ Water.
- ✔️ Windbreak.
- ✔️ Back scratcher.
- ✔️ Fence tight.
That’s about all a cow could ask for.
From there, it was time for what I call “Barn Open House.”
The steers get to help — cleaning out the old straw and making room for fresh bedding.
Then we get the calf warmer ready.
We call it the Bed & Breakfast.
It’s a propane-heated box where we can warm up a newborn calf if needed.
They’ll get 2 quarts of colostrum, lie down, dry off, and rest for a couple of hours.
Most of the time, when we open it back up, they’re already calling for their mother — still carrying her scent and ready to go back out.
And yes… it still snows in Montana in May.
We also got the calf shelters cleaned out and filled with fresh straw.
The calves can slip inside to get out of the wind and snow, while their mothers stay just outside — watching, smelling, and keeping close.
Between the barn, the calf warmer, and the shelters, we’re ready.
That's about all a calf could ask for.
Now it’s time to bring the cows closer to home.
The calving pasture is about 140 acres.
Enough room for cows to spread out, calve on their own, and get those newborn calves started right on green grass.
That space matters.
Calves are healthier when they aren’t crowded — and when they're out on grass from the start.
The Pig Parade is still moving…
One of our newer beef families joined in this week and secured a 1/2 pig, after trying to get one before and missing out.
That’s been happening more often lately.
People try to circle back — and they’re already spoken for.
When they’re available, you can step in. When they’re gone, you wait for the next round.
There are still a few spots left — but not many.
Beef sticks have been moving too…
We’ve been packing and shipping boxes this week, including a 60-stick order heading out tomorrow—all Original (Summer).
One question that came up this week was about nitrates and nitrites.
For some families, that matters more than ever.
Our Original beef sticks are made without them — just simple ingredients:
- ✔️ Beef — T Bar J Ranch all-natural beef
- ✔️ Honey
- ✔️ Spices
That’s it.
Now we’ll see what happens first — calves hitting the ground… or folks lining up for May 1.
Either way… It’s coming quickly.
Because, if beef has been on your mind…
We’re one week out.
Beef share deposits open May 1.
Most years, this group goes faster than people expect.
If you’ve been thinking about stocking your freezer — that’s the next window.
If you’ve been waiting for the right time — this is it.
And for every bulk beef share, we'll donate 5 lbs of ground beef to Montana Veterans Meat Locker in your name.
Snow’s coming in again tonight, and we’ll be right back at it in the morning.
Checking cows, watching milk bags, and getting ready for calves to hit the ground.
Those Original beef sticks… they’ve been the ones people come back for.
👉 You can find them here: SHOP BEEF STICKS
