CALF_News_April_May_2020
37 CALF News • April | May 2020 • www.calfnews.net JOHNSON CONCRETE LIVESTOCK WATERERS THE BEST NAME IN CATTLE WATERERS www.JohnsonConcreteProducts.com Trusted by Livestock Owners Everywhere! JOHNSON CONCRETE LIVESTOCK WATERERS 109 East B Street Hastings, Neb. 68901 phone: (402) 463-1359 toll free: (800) 752-1670 Built with features to last, Johnson Waterers withstand punishing weather and prove to be dependable year after year. TOUGH, DEPENDABLE CONSTRUCTION See us for all your water trough needs. We are #1 in water trough parts and services. Designed for the most punishing environments, our livestock waterers stand the test of time and deliver performance unequaled in the industry. INDUSTRY’S FIRST AUTOMATED SQUEEZE CHUTE BRUTE CATTLE EQUIPMENT 402.693.2221 www.dodgemfg.com ® Visit us on the Web, Facebook or Twitter for video demonstrautions. A UTONOMOUS C ATCH-CHUTE E LITE BRUTE DOUBLE & SINGLE WEDGE ALLEYS, TUBS & LOADOUTS Call Today! ladas I enjoyed, a longer trip to another working ranch was in order to learn more about the business side of raising beef. And what better way to observe this crucial business underlying Ameri- can cuisine than attending the hallmark activities in the business – the birth and branding of calves? Heading out of town Over the years, a friend and business colleague, Doug Ottewill, and I had enjoyed several discussions about the uniqueness of his life. During the stan- dard work week, Doug is in the maga- zine business. Publisher, writer, editor and content creator, Doug is well versed across his business. He is dedicated to covering Colorado sports of all levels, peewees to pros. But this is not Doug’s only job. During the week, Doug lives in Denver, frequents Denver Nuggets games and can be found networking and selling all around town. On the weekends, however, Doug retreats to the family cattle ranch in Hugo, Colo.While he is proud of his work in both areas, he is always eager and willing to share the unique experience of ranching with anyone who is interested. Knowing my particular curiosity about ranching and the Western lifestyle, Doug presented me with a unique and genu- ine opportunity. He invited me to come up for the weekend to experience both calving and branding. I learned that they had a smaller branding planned with the help of their ranch managers alongside neighbors and friends who were willing to pitch in. At the same time, they were welcoming their newest additions, as calving wasn’t about to stop just because a branding was in the works. It was a generous, thoughtful invitation and I immediately accepted. I had been waiting all week to take on my adventure. Finally, it was Friday. As a perpetual over-packer, my trip to Doug’s ranch was certainly no exception. I had no idea what I actually needed for the trip. I could only imagine based on what I had been told and only mildly expe- rienced. I took multiple pairs of jeans, just in case I might have to “pull a calf ” and they got bloody. I took a warm coat, hat and gloves, my cowboy boots and a few sweatshirts, all “just in case.” I didn’t have to worry about driving; Doug, the grandson of the Wither’s Ranch founder Continued on page 39
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