One more time…

In October I pulled the inventory out and did a rough count of older cows. I told Husbeast what I found and we both grimaced a little at the number. Each November cows take the ultimate test; bred for the next season, or not. This year we decided that some would have to pass a second test. Some of the older cows were pushing 12-14 years old. Winters here are tough on young cows and even harder on the older cows. We made the tough decision to check for teeth in those older bunches. Anything with a “broken mouth” (missing teeth or worn down to nubs) would be culled. There were three distinct groups that have provided ample entertainment. A few of them were here for the “first time we…..” moments. Some of them earned names because of their unique markings, and others earned names because of their unique behaviors. Each group came with a story.

The MC group was the first batch of heifers we bought and calved out here. That calving season was one of the most stressful. The heifers that survived that turned in to some of the best cows.

The B group came in with a snowstorm. They were the “princesses” because they all had a distinct crown shaped poll. Some of the orneriest cows were in that group but they made excellent mothers.

The Oregon batch I could have written a book about for the number of incidents that occurred. The first load came in with a driver who kept his speed to 10 miles an hour the entire way. Three hours later we unloaded in the dark. The second load we had to drive out to the highway to pick up. Two trailer loads in the snow. They were supposed to calve in April and the first calves came in January.

They all learned the terrain and routines out here and those that remained had raised good calves. Some years they had heifers who have rolled into the main herd themselves. Other years their steer calves qualified for the sale load. Each year for the last 12 years they’ve done their job.

This year as they came up the alley and to the chute one more time, the vet made his call then we made ours. “Broken mouth” or “good teeth” was the call that made the choice. It’s easy to send one down the road when she didn’t raise a calf the year before or didn’t breed back. It’s a gut wrenching moment when you know she’s done her job on both counts but doesn’t pass the age test. It came down to making the call that is best for the cow. There were a lot of quiet moments and there may have been some leaky eyes.

You may think a cow is just a commodity to us but you’d only be half right. There are a lot of moments in a cow’s life that serve to build a deeper bond:

The moment she arrives and hopes are high for her success.

Her first calving experience that results in sleepless nights and huge sighs of relief.

Those times she’s found in the farthest corners of the mountain pastures and pride in her fortitude gets higher.

The consistent breed back and a calf that makes the truck or makes a good replacement heifer here.

Watching a favorite cow age and suffer through some of the coldest months doesn’t suit.

And so….It came down to deciding how she’d survive the winter. The choice wasn’t easy but they will be better off.

When the trucks came to take them away the mood was solemn. Each load carried a marker cow. Favorite Cow was the first one to step in the trailer, leading the others to follow. Helga, true to form, was on the hunt and made the second load. Gentle Cow and Pinky filled the final load. When the trucks rolled away the only consolation was that each of them have genetics that will continue to build the herd, and we made the call that was best for them.

The up and comers in the group that remains have some big shoes to fill, both for production and entertainment. And don’t think for a minute that we will forget that older bunch any time soon. Those stories will be told again and again. They were the good bunch.