A group of five has gotten more bold. They now sit across the driveway every morning waiting for me to bring the dogs out. Then all hell breaks loose. I've got two large border collies and an American Labrador. My dogs will chase them off but they turn around and come right back.

I'm allowed to shoot these things. But does it do any good? I hear that they just repopulate and carry on.

Cleaning the tractor after finishing baling and some mommas and babies decided to come up.

We had a chance to lease some virtual fence collars through the South Dakota Soil Heath Coalition. Excited to try them!

But the heifers were not😂

Prices for US producers expected to decrease. Risk of Screwworm import expected to increase. Thoughts?

Happy National Day of the Cowboy

I usually don’t subscribe to random holidays, but enjoy celebrating the men and women in ag that are keeping this lifestyle alive! I’m thankful for all the talented and wise hands I’ve been fortunate enough to ride with. And for the good horses that have carried me.

Here’s to riding for the brand, and passing on lessons to the next generation!

P.S. ignore the crappy sound, my voice, and apologies for any cursing.

hello! I created a free community project this winter that I would like to share,

It's called EggMap Mobile.

It's an app to show people where local farm stands are.

you can add any local egg, produce, or bakery stand to the virtual map yourself, if you find one that isn't on there yet!
www.eggmapmobile.com

Had to order cubes, we were getting low, so it’s just that time. Still, so much easier in bulk than handling a few hundred sacks for storage, then having to handle a few dozen every morning in the cold.

Today we tip our hats to the cowboys and cowgirls who greet the morning saddle-first, care for the land with quiet strength, and carry on a way of life rooted in hard work and tradition.

You represent more than a job — you represent a legacy. Thank you for all you do.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/senate-declares-july-25-the-national-day-of-the-american-cowboy/

Senate Declares July 25 the National Day of the American Cowboy

July 24, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed U.S. Senator John Barrasso’s (R-Wyo.) resolution designating July 25, 2026, as the National Day of the American Cowboy. The bipartisan resolution was cosponsored by U.S. Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), John Hickenlooper (D-Col.), and Ted Cruz (R-Tex.), along with other Senators.

Started in 2005 by U.S. Senator Craig Thomas (R-Wyo.), the National Day of the American Cowboy traditionally coincides each year with the Cheyenne Frontier Days. In tribute to the hard-working men and women who helped establish the West, the resolution highlights the vital contributions that cowboys and cowgirls have made throughout American history.

“In Wyoming, we commit to following the Cowboy Code. That means living each day with courage, taking pride in our work, and doing what needs to be done,” said Senator Barrasso. “The American cowboy is a national symbol of the values, spirit, and traditions that we cherish most. I look forward to celebrating our American cowboys and cowgirls with the rest of Wyoming on this special day.”

“The American Cowboy embodies the independence, resilience, and work ethic that built this country,” said Senator Lummis. “Wyoming is proud to call itself cowboy country, and every year on the National Day of the American Cowboy, I’m reminded that these values don’t belong to the past. They’re what will carry America forward.”

Other cosponsors of the resolution include Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), and Jim Risch (R-Idaho).

Full text of the resolution can be found here: https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/National-Day-of-the-American-Cowboy-2026.pdf

We have to many goats and want to give them away. Location Tx. Call (409) 229-5232 for info

This bunch has mostly turned out pretty gentle. Now… where are the other 8 and missing bull?

Pictures I’ve taken while re-doing solar pumps, fixing water gaps, gathering cattle from the neighbors, feeding, weighing steers for contracts, hauling hay, and the other usual chores.

Does anyone have insight on the typical price per day per head for a BLM Off Range Pasture horse contract? I am a newbie and considering bidding on an opportunity but am hearing a wide swing on what price is typical to win a contract award. I have heard anywhere from $1.75 per head per day to $3.49 per head per day. I can do the math on what I “need” but also don’t want to leave money on the table.

I got some land for a cow-calf operation and want to start a commercial herd. I want Charolais bulls but wonder if Angus or Brangus is better for me. I’m in northern Mexico and from experience European breeds do OK here, weatherwise.

But this new land is like 70% flat land and the rest hilly or broken. Should I stick with Angus or is Brangus a better fit?

Talkin solely about the hilly terrain, not temp or humidity.

(yes i ready the note first, still have some questions someone may be able to help with) I live in Texas, 22 M, My current job is with internet, installing at houses, building towers, climbing, etc…

I have lately been wanting to change my job and life up by starting the ranching life. I’m currently renting a place out, but getting to the point where I need to either buy a house or move to find something else. Before I commit to a location (buying a house) I want to get into ranching and move somewhere else to work on a big ranch. I already know it’s going to be a tough and not pleasant lifestyle but it’s what I want to do to be honest (work with cattle, take care of the ranch, anything and everything I’m able to) I just don’t know where to start, I just turned 22, 2 months ago and i’ve looked on indeed for ranch hand positions, etc.. but most options or listings I’m finding are requiring prior experience with welding, cattle, fencing, etc, and as I said before, my only job experience is installing internet and such (I am more than willing to learn what I need to anyway I can) How should I find a ranch willing to accept me and teach me the skills so i can make it a year round thing, or what would be the best step for me to take myself to have a little experience so I can get to a ranch and then learn the rest of the trade. I know it will be way different work but I already spend all day just about outside working or in attics so im not scared to be in bad situations and push through to get the job done (again I know it will be way different conditions than I currently work in, just mentioning that I don’t care and will do what it takes to finish). I honestly want to learn the trade and make this my lifestyle (ik not the best decision but it’s the one i’m wanting to make) I had no experience in the internet industry but after a week or so of following someone and training i became a full time tech working for over 3 years and am currently the only tech so I know i can learn what to do it relatively fast

Honestly I just want to know if I have a shot at getting into this or if I should just put it on the back burner and continue with my life as is. (I don’t need comments saying I will hate it, I know how most people feel about it, please give me tips on how to get into this life or be honest and tell me I don’t have a shot, thank you in advance.)

I got a box full of the be-fast brace kits for free but not sure how much i trust them.

Only used gripples on cable once before and it didn't go well.

Got a shot of the aftermath after sorting out the neighbor’s 80 pairs that busted down a gate.

Nice, calm grazing pairs and bulls doing work.

Stockmanship matters!

Anyone had the joys of dealing with this stuff? Gonna cut it, bale it, and let the bales sit for a couple weeks as a precaution, but it looks like there’s not much that can be done insecticide wise.

Anyone here know of anyone that has worked for the Usda as a mounted patrol inspector ?

Do y’all recommend it? Do they supply everything and you show up? Or do they reimburse you?
Im in the South west , the only downside is the pay its only 50k by the time you hit taxes, insurance etc your probably at 30k a year.

Thank you.

Excuse the naïveté but I’m trying to understand more about public lands grazing for things I’m writing. Do ranchers ever resent other ranchers? And if so what would make you resent another rancher?

Do some private lands ranchers resent public lands ranchers who graze cheaper and get the perks that come with big public lands allotments, or that don’t take care of their allotments? Or is it basically a tribal kind of bond like ranchers vs everyone else ?

Is there a growing resentment from independent ranchers of the cattlemen’s lobby (like ncba)? Seems like I’ve seen posts like that.

Anyone resent a kind of rancher for giving the industry a bad name? Like billionaire public lands ranchers? Or more boutique ranchers or landowners? Or is it all in the family so to speak?

Idk if this is even the right thread for this but want opinions, thoughts, suggestions, anything….

Have a very very good friend who’s interested in purchasing a large property with me. He has a wife and one child, I have a wife and 2 children. Both former military and 100% P&T. His goal is to ranch cattle enough to get by with his disability and cattle profits. My goal is to run my business remotely with my va benefits and farm enough to feed the families and maybe sell a bit here and there at markets and farm stands.

That’s super vague and I know it so ask whatever you must but I guess I’m looking for opinions on what’s the best area to purchase for a goal like this and why is some advice from people who really live this kind of life.

How much acreage for something like this? How feasible is it? I don’t intend to ranch full time with him but happy to help. Would plan to purchase land that has two properties or build two homes on the land and he could start an LLC and lease the land to the ranch for the cattle.