by Jan Fielden
Because of limbs falling on fences everywhere, we put the Middle Herd in the Sixteen Pasture and the pasture around the house on the hill. The Yearling Herd stayed in their pasture because the fences had not been knocked down everywhere. We fed the Middle Herd every two days because they were eating all the grass in both pastures and to keep them happy. They had been going into the Hay Meadow because that fence was down, and they loved it. Well, we had to call quits on the Meadow because we would need hay for next winter.
Finally yesterday, we decided the fences in the Northeast Pasture were stable and would keep them in, plus they had been out of that pasture long enough for the grass to grow. Lo and Behold, we had the gate open to the Northeast Pasture for two days and they hadn’t moved in there yet. They were still walking and grabbing a bite to eat here and there. It came time for The Colonel to yell his “call” to the cows as we drove slowly down to the Northeast Pasture with The Colonel issuing his call every now and then.
It is a lot of fun to look back at the cows and see them running after you (but you must be in a truck!). We pulled off to the side when we got close to the gate and let them run, kick up their heels, etc. Then we pulled in to that pasture and watched them. They were happy!! One group didn’t go though, four calves about 3 months old and one just born yesterday stopped in the pasture right outside the Northeast Pasture. They watched us as we drove by and pretended not to have a care in the world. Not long after they decided to think a little more about being with Momma, they took off. The newborn stayed by himself and his Momma came to him. A great day for the cows at the Red Oak Ranch.
