I am sore of foot and tired of wearing the yellow slicker. My toes are not meant to be wedged into rubber boots and that is what I have been forced into for a week. Now, don't get the wrong idea, I am not fussing about rain! I will never fuss about rain, but I might crank a tiny bit about the duration of the storm. Not much fussing, just tired of being wet clear to the bone.
I can't drive the truck in the leased pasture because it is so rock-less. I could sink to the axles, so it is up to me and Snip to cover the ground there. I am thankful we aren't calving during this deluge as I am not sure calves are born knowing how to swim. Snip and I are a good pair and we have managed to keep the fences fixed and the cattle counted. The old hides don't mind the weather and they are master mowing machines.
It will behoove us beef producers to keep in mind the water content of the grass and the need for minerals. I like to feed a cube high in protein or some molasses lick along just for the comfort of the knowledge that the cows are getting what they need to continue raising those high dollar calves! I know it costs some to do the extra, and sometimes it doesn't pay, but it should this year.
We had some cherry trees cut and hauled off and I am hoping that is not an issue ever again on this rock pile. Remember me fooling around with that chore this spring, and all the energy it took for me to do all that bossing? Problem is now taken care of, and I hope for good. Now, the lack of chicken litter for this place and the price of commercial fertilizer is causing me to grieve some.
My close relative is planting and praying about her vegetable garden. It has suffered some during the rain and some things replanted will be late producing. The flowers in the yard are sure fine and the grass is growing so fast you can almost hear it. I don't know why I have allowed the yard to be taken away from the production of beef. I could have fenced off a walkway and left the rest in pasture and it could have made money instead of costing so much. That new mowing machine is fired up daily and if the rain was falling, she just wiped it off and checked the oil!
I know we have some grassland around here that is pretty marshy and some foot rot may rear its ugly head. Cattle are tough but their hooves need to dry out during the day to keep all healthy. Are we ever in perfect condition to grow our cattle? Never, not even once, will everything be perfect.
I can smell pies in the oven baking and I hear the four wheelers roaring up the drive, so I am guessing it is about noon. I am ready for dinner and then maybe even a nap, unless the sun does shine and I have to go to work!
It is my opinion, and everyone has one, hay season has crept upon us, the rain has lingered with us, grass will fall over and, if it doesn't, it will get too tough and stemmy to make good hay.
I am a little concerned about the hay but even more so about the boys who live and breathe hay season. They are getting glassy eyed and a couple of them have taken up knitting! The tractors and equipment have been ready for over a month now and some fellers have been known to get high blood pressure and hives due to lack of engine noise and diesel aroma therapy.
Keep your powder dry, and God knows we need to stop wearing rubber boots!
Bill is the pen name used by the Gravette-area author of this weekly column. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Editorial on 06/10/2015