CALF_News_April_May_2020

41 CALF News • April | May 2020 • www.calfnews.net Gatherings  CALF COMMUNITY Good Times in San Antonio Minnie Lou Bradley had a lot to smile about at the annual Bradley 3 Ranch Bull Sale, Feb. 20, near Estelline, Texas. The Angus icon has been part of the ranch’s 62 sales of Angus seedstock. This year’s sale included Angus bulls, as well as Charolais bulls and yearling Angus heifers. Producers from Florida to Montana and beyond were part of the traditional gathering that is an event in the Angus business. Photo courtesy Larry Stalcup  Bradley 3 Ranch The CALF crew and BluePrint Media at the Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame banquet, which honors leaders who have made lasting contributions to the cattle-feeding industry.  grounded in their western roots, show- ing equal comfort in their homes in the nearby city of Denver as they felt at their ranch. They approached my questions with a non-judgmental manner and made all efforts to educate me kindly on their family business and history. This is the type of western lifestyle I had grown up with, and they immediately made me feel at home. A long night’s work After dinner, a drink and some casual conversation, it was time to check the heifers to ensure that we were on track for any impending births. I had never witnessed the birth of a calf and was excited by the prospect. When it was time for the first check of the night, I put on my specially chosen work jeans, slid into my boots, and grabbed my gloves. We loaded the dog into the truck and headed to the pen. It was a dark, but star-filled night, which meant our only guide was the handheld spotlight and instincts of my qualified host. We entered the pen and walked through the herd to see if anyone was in labor. All first-calf heifers, they were much like me … experiencing their first calving experience. Although that check proved to be uneventful, I was starting to see what the rest of the night would be like. I was given a quick tutorial on the indicators of labor – both anatomy and behavior. We explored and looked individually at heifers, while also investigating how they were interacting with the herd. I listened intently, as though I would be tested on my education later. Our next two checks – midnight and 3 a.m. – were once again uneventful. However, at our 5 a.m. check, things were starting to happen. As we entered the pen, one set herself apart from the rest. Doug went into action and quickly and easily adjusted the fences to ensure she had the space she needed to have her calf. Just as he closed off the last gate, the heifer started to run and we heard a big splash. The water bag had broken only feet away. Being that this was her first birth, I had learned that we needed to leave her with her natural, maternal instincts, careful not to distract her and interrupt labor. As we walked away, heading back to the house, I was so excited to think about seeing this mother and child together in the morning.  EXPERIENCE OF BEEF Continued from page 39 Betty Jo, Editor and Publisher of CALF News Magazine, at the Calf News booth speaking with Lee Reeve and Dee Likes. the methods and materials of the past. Applying the principles of “Instead of trendiness, we seek out timelessness” presented by Andrea Thorp as a guide, “repurposed,” “retro” and “renovated” strategies offer many viable alterna- tives to sustainability. While my use of inherited cast iron skillets and carving instruments may seem insignificant and trivial, I see this as a practical example of what can make a difference and with the added bonus of delicious fare from my backyard kitchen.  BEYOND THE RANCH GATE Continued from page 38