Calving on the range

It's been quite a while since we've posted anything about our cows out at Whisky Flat in Mineral County, Nevada.  Since winter grazing on public land is something new for us, we had a lot of potential concerns.  Would the cows need to be moved around to new feed or would they range out on their own?  Would the nutrition be adequate for lactating cows or would they lose body condition?  And what about calving?

People with experience have told us that cows on the range that get a lot of exercise and are not fed supplemental feed during calving have less calving issues than cows in pastures fed hay.  So far this has been our experience completely. 

This young cow is a little thinner than some but has a very healthy and vigorous calf.

This Charolais cow of mine had trouble calving last year.  She needed help to get the calf out.  I was apprehensive about her being on the range and having the same issue this year but with nobody around to help her.  Turns out I needn't have worried, she had a healthy heifer calf and is still in great condition.  We call her "Bugler" because her bawl sounds like an elk bugling.

The calves all look very healthy. 

The 1975 International 1810B Cargostar continues to fulfill the most important role in the operation.

Pinzgauers!

Rhiannon's cow comes in for a morning drink.

Desert scenery on the north end of the permit.

Filling troughs with the one-of-a-kind 1975 International.

These calves are almost certain that they are totally wild.

This grass makes up the most available forage for the cows.

This is an example of a stand where the dead forage is preventing new growth and consequently limits production.  Grazing and fire are the effective ways to reduce "decadent forage".

This is a broken spearpoint I spotted while taking photos.