Off to the printers!

February means time to get back to work! The spring calving herd is about 1/2 done. Everyone is getting some supplemental hay and we've started to move cows off of hay fields because they are trying to grow!

This week we had some good 'ole Basin wind and neighbors are "turning dirt". Must be spring in the Basin.


These poor cows "I'm not fat - I'm pregnant!" The first group of spring cows calved at our house. Many times I'd catch the poor cows heavy in calf obviously unable to get comfortable and looking like they swallowed a barrel. We love our cows with lots of rib shape and volume. But wow with a belly full of calf and water they sure do waddle.

Then the little ones join the world and are cute as can be. Not much better than watching a group of baby calves running around; tails in the air enjoying some early spring sun.

Our other February project - which is officially done - is the Red, White & Black Bull & Female Sale Catalog.

We are so blessed to be able to participate in JR Ranch's sales! The Schmidt family and crew are a pleasure to work with. We ultrasounded spring bulls last weekend; got our work done with few issues (I caused the worst one), plenty of laughs, and good memories.

We have learned SO much about picturing cattle, writing footnotes, catalog layout and the list goes on since participating in production sales. A fellow cattlemen commented on the fun, stress, and general craziness of trying to picture bulls for a catalog. Taking pictures & putting together a catalog is something that you just don't have an appreciation for until you are directly involved! But when the final copy is done and off to the printers it gives a great sense of accomplishment. Now when the phone calls start to come as people find their catalogs in their mailboxes the first stress of the production sale process lessens.

You can view the complete catalog at www.sackmanncattle.com under the "For Sale" tab.

This weekend will also likely bring our first litter of pigs for the year!

Phew-

Spring?!?!

Now that February is here it looks like spring!?!

OK everything is still brown - but

I saw equipment ready to roll in the neighbors field this afternoon & the cheat grass on the ditch bank is turning green.

we have 3 calves on the ground. First due date is today and ours are normally late. This little bull was less than 15 minutes old and looking for its first meal! That's how we like 'em.

spring flowers are starting to poke through the ground! Are we going to have an early spring or are they sadly mistaken? I'm ready for the colors of spring and to remember how many tulips & daffodils we have.

mud - no we don't get nearly as muddy as everyone blessed with clay soil. But we certainly have enough to make a now 3 year old boy happy! I think I swept the kitchen floor at least five times today. The mud just has a way of making it in.

Besides pretending it is spring we are in sale catalog mode. Jeff's been with the crew at JR Ranch clipping and picturing bulls. There are some awesome bulls down in Othello that they have managed to picture pretty well. Our favorite pictures are featured on our website (www.sackmanncattle.com). I'll get more posted as the crew gets through the different pens of bulls.

Happy February!