Good morning neighbors - This week has been a wild trip filled with work, fun and heartache. Sale day is a great time to get together with friends and neighbors but its sad to see all the calves go. We are still looking for more designs for t-shirts and if you have ideas let us know in the comments and if you are interested in an Our Wyoming Life t-shirt head to amazon.com and search for Our Wyoming Life. Its a great way to support what we are doing as a community and to be totally honest we make about $3 per t-shirt that keeps us making videos with new equipment and technology. Thanks to all of you for what you do for us! Mike
Hey Mike: We shipped the last of our yearlings this week. Had a good year, lots of moisture and grass. Less than 2% loss. The ranch looks empty. Time to repair fences, build new dirt tanks and drill a new well for a windmills. Hope you got a fat paycheck !!! Take care. Mike D from NM
I don't know for sure, she was one of the cows that was purchased by Erin's Stepdad before he passed away. As far as I know its an Angus/Galloway mix. Thanks for watching - Mike
Thankyou from a Australian cattleman,,, we have the worst drought in liveing history,,water a big concern,,, you have beautifull angus cattle,, thanks mate,, God bless you all,,,
Amazing how RUclips creates a platform for people in different professions to shine in ways people may not have thought possible. The presenter in this video is a dedicated farmer but he is also a truly professional T.V presenter and a great story teller.
Your videos are so addicting when you have such a big dream to be just like you I have learned so much just by watching you and your wife on RUclips greatly appreciated
Thank You! To you, your family, and all the families that do the hard work it takes to feed the nation along with many other parts of the WORLD! GOD Bless.
Another season comes to a close and it's been an interesting one. The news wasn't good when we learned that the drought got worse, no hay harvest this year, and another onslaught of COVID and quarantine. A rancher and a farmer has a lot to deal with, that's for sure. Your beef that went to market looked really good and healthy, especially with the plethora of curve balls that life threw at y'all. But I was very encouraged by the way you and Erin really "cowboyed-up" and it didn't even seem like it slowed the two of you guys down. It's been real and I am really thankful to have spent another season with you. Thanks for taking us on your journey Mike. Our prayers are with you and hopefully everyone else's prayers are too. After all America's farms and ranches keep our tables furnished and we appreciate you. I hope this new season surprises you with a horn of plenty. Can't wait to see how it kicks off.
I stumbled on your page last night and its awesome. Thanks for showing the life of a rancher. Wyoming is the diamond of the united states. I enjoy my falls hunting in the state absolutely beautiful
Ive been a subscriber since January of this year. And I just wanted to say that its been an eye opening pleasure to watch the comings and goings of the ranch for this cycle. Its tough seeing Gunther go, especially knowing his fate, but I guess thats (ranching) life. This episode really felt like the end of chapter. Its bittersweet. But I'm happy for you guys and thankful that you're sharing it with us.
Thank you very much. That means allot to us. We don't plan on stopping as the cycle continues. Everyday is different and we look forward to sharing our continuing journey. I feel like you are all our neighbors. People I can count on to be there day in and day out. Thank you for that. -Mike
I really enjoyed watching this especially since I have been a livestock auctioneer in the midwest and although off the farm for several years you can never take the country out of the boy. My brother was a livestock trucker for a number of years as well.
I’m from northwestern Wyoming and grew up on a ranch/farm. This was my life for my first 20 years of life. As much as I hated it then, I miss it so much now. I’m about to head off to Michigan to start working for Ford and I’ll take one last trip to my parents to spend some time on the ranch. Fixing fence, sorting cattle, doctoring them, cussing them out after they bust a fence down, and of course sending them off to auction are just a few memories of mine that will last forever.
My son and I were in Wyoming last August. We drove up Rawhide Butte Road off highway 85. There was a corral of black Angus cows gathered and a few bulls walking around in the road. We stayed away from the bulls. The cows in the corral looked funny because there must have been something in the middle of the corral. The cows were taking turns climbing on it and it looked as though they were standing on each other's backs.
I give you alot of credit for the hard work and time you put into farming...I love the farm atmosphere,always have..I live in a rural town,with many small local farmers from produce to beef and horses..My best to you
enjoyed your video i have been in this cycle for40 years now as previous owner of small cow herd and trucked them calves all over the country from 4 corners of Montana and wyoming nebraska kansas oklahoma texas south and north dakota. most of out cattle are sold on video auction any more and delivered all over the country. always enjoyed seeing the same ranchers every year.
@@whitama2 News flash. Humans are OMNIVORES, not herbivores. It is natural to eat meat. Both meat and plants, as we are omnivores. We used to do it in the wild and now we do it when we're more civilised. We've just learnt how to do it more efficiently. What is unnatural, is attempting at make people feel bad for going with the natural order of things and food chain. There are animals that are pets and animals that are food. Sometimes both and sometimes the same species can be both. Keep your bullshit veganism to yourself. You're starting to be as bad as Christians
Amanda Whitley hey dumbass, do you know how destructive crop farming is? Thousands of animals are killed in the land clearing process alone not counting the pest control process to keep deer, rabbits, etc from destroying crops. Then you have the pesticides, greenhouse gasses from harvest time, and the fact that land can’t be used for anything else. You’re a hypocrite.
Man I gotta tell ya it makes me happy to see people doing good work... in a society where morals are dead.... I’ve worked on farms all my life and I thank God I have because it teaches you so much. And I can tell ya as a college kid on campus I don’t know what it’s gonna come to. It really does scare me that most guys couldn’t handle this kind of work...
Farm life is great!! My uncle had a small dairy farm when I was a kid (I kept my horse there). It is very satisfying at the end of the day when you've done hard work that actually means something. We only have an acre and a half now, but we do grow a large vegetable garden, have a few chickens, and we raise our own holiday turkeys. Nothing like this, but the cattle are well taken care of on this ranch, and the ranch is beautiful and clean.
Anyone that uses "Labyrinth" in a farming/ranching video totally crushes any and all stereotypes that I may have held. Interesting process. Never realized that a business model exists for such a low volume. Thanks.
So we used to own cattle and we loaded cattle by for about a week, we feed them in the trailer in the pasture. Then on auction day we just closed the back and sort them around inside and drive off
Mike as they said in the FFA motto "Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve." And working on a ranch is probably the best example of this motto in reality. Have a great day.
"I believe in the future of farming...with a faith born not of words but deeds." And that's all I remember. But it has been a long time since I was in high school.
reminds me a little of my family's farm as is kid - in New York, yup, you heard right, New York, and not really all that far from the city. Where you taking those cows, I asked the truck driver. They goin down to Broadway, gonna be in a big show.
I work the front desk at a university in Chicago. I would have to set the lobby sort of like a corral, making sure everybody is going in and out of the building in an orderly manner.
Enjoyed the video. I never saw the inside of a large cattle trailer like that. We always moved a new calf away from the mother and they usually didn’t mind then, but then again that was dairy.
I bet the dairy makes a difference. Beef cattle are pretty protective of their calves. Erins idea to do the tour of the trailer, and a good one at that. Thanks - Mike
Mike, we were in your corner of WY. in Sept on our way to Great Falls from Rapid City. When we came back we came down 212 from I-90 to Bell Fouche. We lived in Rapid City for 9 years back in mid'78's to 'mid '87 when I was on active duty. We have traveled thru Wy on I-25 from Cheyenne to Buffalo, from Jackson Hole to Hot Springs and back to Rapid. Oh, and yes we did Yellowstone in '82 for a week. We travel to Montana from southern Indiana about every couple of years as our oldest daughter and family live there. Enjoy your videos.
Hi Mike, I hope you, Erin and the kids are doing well. Another great episode, one I was looking forward to watching and you did not disappoint! I'm sorry to hear the sell off was just "ok", but as hard as you all work, I'm certain your future on the Ranch will be successful. Carolyn was sad to see Gunter go, but she understands the process and is looking forward to seeing the next "Number 1" calf this winter! Justin (aka Bone) and his wife Kaylin are in Texas this weekend buying their first two heifers as a start to their herd. They will be raised on Kaylin's family ranch in Whitney, TX while she finishes veterinary school at OSU. How did the next group of hunters do? Please tell everyone helol from the Posse, and keep up the good work. I look forward to talking with you soon, Ron
Hey! Thanks for the videos. It's very interesting to see how your industry works. Hope you both made out like bandits, and that next season is even more successful for you guys.
Nah we just run about 175 momma cows with all their calves, 50 some up and coming replacement heifers ,and we have a farmers market division with fresh meats and produce . All raised by us. Plus I am a cattle buyer here in WV so that's what keeps me hopping moving Cattle in the spring and fall buying seasons.
Ahh that makes sense. So now you let the cow out of the bag and let us know you are a cattle buyer, maybe you can help us. We've had a few comments asking about buyers. What they are looking for in calves? What will make them buy one group over the next? Can you answer these for us? Thanks in advance. - Mike
found u thru blake(guy in wy) i know him from the tractor forum i visit daily. i liked this video. so i will watch more of urs. ok. take care-a very good informational video for the ones who know nothing about a farm-ranch.
Thanks to you ranchers! I love my steaks and definitely appreciate the hard work that goes into raising cattle. My grandfather raised cattle in Oklahoma.
That time when early on we use to take off from school, load all trucks we could find and haul the older cows to auction in La Junta, Co. Steers got their ride on the larger trucks.
Thanks for producing these great videos. My cousin and I are saving toward a bison operation in upstate NY. Grew up around crops and no livestock experience. Learning lots from you guys!!
A picture of Bubbles on the front and back of the shirt. I loved that bull he was awesome. Bubbles was handsome and in my opinion the best looking bull I have seen in years. I will miss him. You should make him your ranch mascot.
Morning Mike! I bet you're glad to have that done for another year. That means one thing...work on the ranch gets windy and cold, with an occasional blizzard! Here's to quieter nights and a padded bank account. LOL! Great video, as always!! Deb
Not a problem, thank Erin. Shes the one that saw an opportunity to show people something they have probably seen running down the road but most people have never been inside of. It was a great idea. Thanks! - Mike
Great video! As well as your others 👍 I've been planning on going into cattle hauling business and me n my buddies are planning on starting a buffalo ranch in the near future and your videos are full of helpful information bout the ranch life that I can learn from, thank you and keep up the good work 👍 .....greetings from your neighbor, utah😂
You would be one spectacular tv host for RFD-TV (Farming Broadcast, etc.) Because you show and explain things so well - Love the video and keep doing what you do best -
Sure thing Mike, usually what a buyer like myself is looking for ( it does vary by buyer ) in feeder cattle anyway is feeders that are ready to move on to the feed yard or at least the preconditioning farms ( in order to get them ready for the feed yards ) mostly looking for 500-900 pound calves. But there is a market for everything. So most buyers will buy bulls, bred cows, slaughter cows etc Myself personally am licenses to buy cattle, pigs, goats& sheep and horses. So their are many types of buyers out there looking for a seller. After the farmer contacts the buyer, they will come out to the farm or ranch as you all say out west to look at the stock and if they are like myself will have a portable scale system to weight the stock, providing the ranch doesn't already have one. Then the negotiation process begins. If a deal is struck the buyer comes directly to the farm or at least close by to an adequate loading facility to pickup the stock. A check is paid to the farmer before the cattle leave their facility. And hopefully a new yearly buyer/seller relationship is formed. Also a good buyer has the farmer in mind in getting them the best prices, so the buyer may work with the farm / ranchers to work towards a more uniform herd for better pricing. As you well the know is very competitive. Hope this answered the questions. Feel free to ask anymore. Have a good day Kory.
ok thx for your reponse. By the way I really like your channel/videos. I'm from Germany and the way you're running your farm is not really or not at all etablished here, so it's especially interesting how you farm on another continent and in this case even in Wyoming. Pls go on producing nice videos.
I hope your calves bring top dollar at the sales barn and you have manageable bills in the coming year. I have to admit, I miss helping my uncle gather and sort for shipping! The only thing that would make these videos better would be a way to include the smells of the ranch and the meals at the end of a hard day's work.
haha, yea the smells would really bring it all together. Calves did ok, not great but it is what it is. Hopefully costs stay down and we can make it work. As for the meal, I dont even remember what we had that night. I was out late, might have just been a bowl of cereal. lol Thanks for watching - Mike
Glad I found your channel! Some of the most cherished memories I have is helping my uncles and grandparents on their farms some fifty years ago. From putting up hay to mucking barns to doing concrete work taught this (then) young boy some valuable life lessons. I don’t know how you can run a farm and feed a family on the revenue from selling two hundred head of calves per year. More power to you, and I look forward to more of your videos!
Wow! How nice to be welcomed personally from folks who I know are incredibly busy! Well, since you asked, I'll share a bit! Grew up in a mid-western suburb, but we had relatives who farmed and we'd go to visit. When we were really young, going to one of the farms was just playtime. When I got to be 8 or 9, then we were expected to help as there was work to be done, and that is how we spent time with our farming relatives. At first, I resented it. I wanted to PLAY. But instead, we did things like bale and put up hay literally from sunup to sundown for days on end. It was hard work, but I realized it was very, very fulfilling, satisfying work. To this day smelling fresh cut hay transports me vividly back in time to those wonderful days, the memories of which I would't trade for anything. You all have a fantastic ranch, and Wyoming is stunningly beautiful. I was last in WY in 1966. Hope to visit again someday.
Sir, thank you for sharing. This channel reminds me of when I was a child. Beautiful memories, hopefully my kids whom I love dearly will have a chance to experience what I did when I was child one day so they can understand where food comes from, and the hard work it takes to get it to the table.
I do go to auctions and buy sometimes but usually only for slaughter animals to be moved on to the after they've been checked and everything. I really prefer to buy direct and work one in one with the farmer. As I am farmer myself.
Our cattle buyer preferred a working relationship with the ranchers he dealt with. You have a good feel for the livestock each ranch has and know you have a sound investment.
Thanks for the videos I enjoy them and find them very informative. Two questions if you dont mind: 1-how predictable are the auction results to you ahead of time? are most of the calves worth the same on a per lb basis or are their large variations depending on breed and other factors? 2-what is the process of understanding like for your children, are they more upset at certain ages about this process, and how long did it take them to process their concerns?
Once auctions start rolling (they do them every week) they tend to stay pretty steady, prices may fluctuate by a few cents per pound. Around here most of the cows that are sold are Angus, but I can tell you if an off breed comes through, our buyers will tend to pay less. We have had a couple of white calves in the past and they are always worth much less. As for the kids, we start them early, they learn the process and for the most part they understand it. Sale day can be tough as we usually have to explain it again. Mackenzie is now 7 and she understands farm to table, Grace who is 4 still needs help sometimes and Lincoln doesnt care as long as he gets a hamburger lol Thanks Nathan - Mike
It's a small world. I see the sign on the interstate for keyhole. I have 2 sisters a brother with their families and my mom that all live on Pine Ridge.
I can see how this process is bittersweet for you, must be really hard selling little calves that you raised, I wish you didn't have to, you seem to love and respect animals. Here's an idea, if you have a favorite calve you don't want to sell, let your audience know and offer them specific merch with a goal (the price you usually sold a calve) and if they reach the goal, you give away the calve to a sanctuary. Merch idea: Stuffed version of the calve, I bet you it works.
I'm a fairly new watcher, I truly enjoy watching your videos (this one is in my top 5 favorites). I imagine you've probably received more criticism from this video than the others. Are you planing on making a similar video this fall? Prayers towards your family's way. -Jacob
This one ranks up there on the criticism, but we take it and keep going. I'm sure we will make another when we sell again. Thanks Jacob, glad you found us - Mike
Hi again! What a great vid! Detailed informative and amazing photography. Really explains your operation to those who are not familiar. I snicker because cows out fence down long hauls just part of it all. You folks do a nice job. See you again soon...
Our Wyoming Life You're more then welcome Mike. Just want you to know I'm a Ms not a Sir! Lol no problem as there's no way for you to know. Nice to say tho I do know how to run a ranch. The rest depends on what kind of critters live there! I'm about half done watching your vids and learning what you folks are all about. You've done a large number of them I'm finding out. Then I heard you say 3 per week! Do you ever sleep Mike?!!! Lol Enjoy...
The worst part is when the kids start naming the calves. Then the kids look at them as pets, rather than money. That's why I farmed herbs - basil, mustard, cilantro, chili peppers, oregano, parsley, ... It's pretty hard to name a parsley sprig let alone raise it as a pet. Jon
with so much land you own wouldn't be better to grow grains like corn, wheat, barley and fatten the calves? In my country(we have limousine breed) weaned calves(7 months) get all the grain they can eat and are sold after 7 months. Also we don't have grass fed beef here. All cows are grain fed.
I just want to saddle up my old morgan cross and give ya a hand, round up on a atv just never was my idea of fun. keep on movin the herd. thanks for sharing the fun.
Hey Mike truly sorry to hear about the cows damaging your place I hope they didn't get in the Erin's Gardens. I feel a little at fault for asking you to go to the auction for good video of the auction.
Good morning neighbors - This week has been a wild trip filled with work, fun and heartache. Sale day is a great time to get together with friends and neighbors but its sad to see all the calves go.
We are still looking for more designs for t-shirts and if you have ideas let us know in the comments and if you are interested in an Our Wyoming Life t-shirt head to amazon.com and search for Our Wyoming Life. Its a great way to support what we are doing as a community and to be totally honest we make about $3 per t-shirt that keeps us making videos with new equipment and technology.
Thanks to all of you for what you do for us!
Mike
Our Wyoming Life Check out Welker farm's on RUclips
Hey Mike:
We shipped the last of our yearlings this week. Had a good year, lots of moisture and grass. Less than 2% loss. The ranch looks empty. Time to repair fences, build new dirt tanks and drill a new well for a windmills.
Hope you got a fat paycheck !!!
Take care.
Mike D from NM
I hear ya, it never ends. I'm glad guys had a good year and yes the herd looks pretty sparse after the calves are gone. Thanks Mike - Mike
Our Wyoming Life What breed is that white cow at 12:10 ?
I don't know for sure, she was one of the cows that was purchased by Erin's Stepdad before he passed away. As far as I know its an Angus/Galloway mix. Thanks for watching - Mike
I hate to imagine life without farmers. Thank a farmer everyday!👍
Thankyou from a Australian cattleman,,, we have the worst drought in liveing history,,water a big concern,,, you have beautifull angus cattle,, thanks mate,, God bless you all,,,
You need to get your government to let you irrigate
Amazing how RUclips creates a platform for people in different professions to shine in ways people may not have thought possible. The presenter in this video is a dedicated farmer but he is also a truly professional T.V presenter and a great story teller.
Thank you very much and thanks for watching - Mike
Your videos are so addicting when you have such a big dream to be just like you I have learned so much just by watching you and your wife on RUclips greatly appreciated
Thank You! To you, your family, and all the families that do the hard work it takes to feed the nation along with many other parts of the WORLD! GOD Bless.
Another season comes to a close and it's been an interesting one. The news wasn't good when we learned that the drought got worse, no hay harvest this year, and another onslaught of COVID and quarantine. A rancher and a farmer has a lot to deal with, that's for sure. Your beef that went to market looked really good and healthy, especially with the plethora of curve balls that life threw at y'all. But I was very encouraged by the way you and Erin really "cowboyed-up" and it didn't even seem like it slowed the two of you guys down. It's been real and I am really thankful to have spent another season with you. Thanks for taking us on your journey Mike. Our prayers are with you and hopefully everyone else's prayers are too. After all America's farms and ranches keep our tables furnished and we appreciate you. I hope this new season surprises you with a horn of plenty. Can't wait to see how it kicks off.
I stumbled on your page last night and its awesome. Thanks for showing the life of a rancher. Wyoming is the diamond of the united states. I enjoy my falls hunting in the state absolutely beautiful
Thank you very much Brian - Mike
i sit here and read comments like people really didn't know what you did for a living. love the video's it definitely is bitter sweet time.
That is is, thanks Benjamin - Mike
Ive been a subscriber since January of this year. And I just wanted to say that its been an eye opening pleasure to watch the comings and goings of the ranch for this cycle. Its tough seeing Gunther go, especially knowing his fate, but I guess thats (ranching) life. This episode really felt like the end of chapter. Its bittersweet. But I'm happy for you guys and thankful that you're sharing it with us.
Thank you very much. That means allot to us. We don't plan on stopping as the cycle continues. Everyday is different and we look forward to sharing our continuing journey. I feel like you are all our neighbors. People I can count on to be there day in and day out. Thank you for that. -Mike
It was great to see the stockyards sale barn. More great memories of going to auctions with my Dad. It was our special time. Thanks for the memories.
You have done a great job; telling the story so just about anyone can understand the subject. THANK YOU
I really enjoyed watching this especially since I have been a livestock auctioneer in the midwest and although off the farm for several years you can never take the country out of the boy. My brother was a livestock trucker for a number of years as well.
Oh wow. Thats awesome. I bet you have some good stories. Thanks for watching - Mike
Been in the same boat for the last 2-1/2 months. Moving, hauling , sorting, weaning , trucking. Long days.
Keep the videos coming. Great content
Oh wow, sounds like a heck of an operation. Haying goes on long enough for me, I couldn't imagine moving cows for months. Thanks for watching! - Mike
I'm glad I started watching your channel. I stumbled on it during Covid - 19 quarantine and I got hooked. I am subscribes and will continue to watch.
I’m from northwestern Wyoming and grew up on a ranch/farm. This was my life for my first 20 years of life. As much as I hated it then, I miss it so much now. I’m about to head off to Michigan to start working for Ford and I’ll take one last trip to my parents to spend some time on the ranch. Fixing fence, sorting cattle, doctoring them, cussing them out after they bust a fence down, and of course sending them off to auction are just a few memories of mine that will last forever.
My son and I were in Wyoming last August. We drove up Rawhide Butte Road off highway 85. There was a corral of black Angus cows gathered and a few bulls walking around in the road. We stayed away from the bulls. The cows in the corral looked funny because there must have been something in the middle of the corral. The cows were taking turns climbing on it and it looked as though they were standing on each other's backs.
haha, thats funny. They are always entertaining. Thanks Grant - Mike
I enjoy Blake's work on vlog where he jumps into a project, wrenches what needs to be done.
Yeah, he really gets into it, thanks for checking him out! - Mike
Thanks Frank!
I give you alot of credit for the hard work and time you put into farming...I love the farm atmosphere,always have..I live in a rural town,with many small local farmers from produce to beef and horses..My best to you
Thanks Will. And thanks for watching. -Mike
Here I am again. I should get some cows now . I know so much. Mike voice is everything.
hehe thanks - Mike
enjoyed your video i have been in this cycle for40 years now as previous owner of small cow herd and trucked them calves all over the country from 4 corners of Montana and wyoming nebraska kansas oklahoma texas south and north dakota. most of out cattle are sold on video auction any more and delivered all over the country. always enjoyed seeing the same ranchers every year.
Not enough people support the farmers of America! They make the world go round!
Thank you very much Oren - Mike
@Oren Danker, Don't be a wanker; meat is a stinker.
? He supplies the demand of people who think their palate is worth more than the life and well-being of animals. Gross.
@@whitama2 News flash. Humans are OMNIVORES, not herbivores. It is natural to eat meat. Both meat and plants, as we are omnivores. We used to do it in the wild and now we do it when we're more civilised. We've just learnt how to do it more efficiently.
What is unnatural, is attempting at make people feel bad for going with the natural order of things and food chain.
There are animals that are pets and animals that are food. Sometimes both and sometimes the same species can be both.
Keep your bullshit veganism to yourself. You're starting to be as bad as Christians
Amanda Whitley hey dumbass, do you know how destructive crop farming is? Thousands of animals are killed in the land clearing process alone not counting the pest control process to keep deer, rabbits, etc from destroying crops. Then you have the pesticides, greenhouse gasses from harvest time, and the fact that land can’t be used for anything else. You’re a hypocrite.
Man I gotta tell ya it makes me happy to see people doing good work... in a society where morals are dead.... I’ve worked on farms all my life and I thank God I have because it teaches you so much. And I can tell ya as a college kid on campus I don’t know what it’s gonna come to. It really does scare me that most guys couldn’t handle this kind of work...
Thank you very much. We do what we do. Hopefully our message comes across. Thanks for watching. Really appreciate it! -Mike
Farm life is great!! My uncle had a small dairy farm when I was a kid (I kept my horse there). It is very satisfying at the end of the day when you've done hard work that actually means something. We only have an acre and a half now, but we do grow a large vegetable garden, have a few chickens, and we raise our own holiday turkeys. Nothing like this, but the cattle are well taken care of on this ranch, and the ranch is beautiful and clean.
Elsonoir!! AINT THE WORK PEOPLE CANT HANDLE !! The winter weather. !! Can u handle. below zero cold ! Yea they bundle up !!
People are getting lazy now days and the lazy people are lucky that there are still people that are working and making food for them
Anyone that uses "Labyrinth" in a farming/ranching video totally crushes any and all stereotypes that I may have held. Interesting process. Never realized that a business model exists for such a low volume. Thanks.
Thank you for watching ! - Mike
So we used to own cattle and we loaded cattle by for about a week, we feed them in the trailer in the pasture. Then on auction day we just closed the back and sort them around inside and drive off
Very cool, thank you for sharing - Mike
Mike as they said in the FFA motto "Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve." And working on a ranch is probably the best example of this motto in reality. Have a great day.
Thats awesome..I was never in FFA but it totally makes sense. Thanks for watching! -Mike
Our Wyoming Life glad I made your day. Hope you get your kids enrolled in FFA someday. The knowledge and experience gained is beyond ten fold.
Definitely, I agree!
"I believe in the future of farming...with a faith born not of words but deeds." And that's all I remember. But it has been a long time since I was in high school.
Thats a good part to remember! - Mike
Thank you and all ranchers & farmers for all your hard work. W/o you we don't eat!
This is the life I want, that scenery is beautiful!
Yes it is. We love it -Mike
You want to be forced into a truck that brings you to a slaughterhouse and kills you?
Or do you talk about the life of the human?
ggzh a Argue With Everyone we need to eat too
@@happygimp0 he’s talking about a human life
@@East9211 Yes, but we not need to eat animals.
reminds me a little of my family's farm as is kid - in New York, yup, you heard right, New York, and not really all that far from the city. Where you taking those cows, I asked the truck driver. They goin down to Broadway, gonna be in a big show.
I work the front desk at a university in Chicago. I would have to set the lobby sort of like a corral, making sure everybody is going in and out of the building in an orderly manner.
That could work lol Thanks for watching - Mike
Enjoyed the video. I never saw the inside of a large cattle trailer like that. We always moved a new calf away from the mother and they usually didn’t mind then, but then again that was dairy.
I bet the dairy makes a difference. Beef cattle are pretty protective of their calves. Erins idea to do the tour of the trailer, and a good one at that. Thanks - Mike
We used to do dairy but now beef an yeah the beef cows would moo more cause they wouldve spent the last 8-9months together
Mike, we were in your corner of WY. in Sept on our way to Great Falls from Rapid City. When we came back we came down 212 from I-90 to Bell Fouche. We lived in Rapid City for 9 years back in mid'78's to 'mid '87 when I was on active duty. We have traveled thru Wy on I-25 from Cheyenne to Buffalo, from Jackson Hole to Hot Springs and back to Rapid. Oh, and yes we did Yellowstone in '82 for a week. We travel to Montana from southern Indiana about every couple of years as our oldest daughter and family live there. Enjoy your videos.
Oh wow, that's a lot of miles you put in. Sounds like you like to travel. If you ever make it back this way let me know. - Mike
Hi Mike, I hope you, Erin and the kids are doing well. Another great episode, one I was looking forward to watching and you did not disappoint! I'm sorry to hear the sell off was just "ok", but as hard as you all work, I'm certain your future on the Ranch will be successful. Carolyn was sad to see Gunter go, but she understands the process and is looking forward to seeing the next "Number 1" calf this winter! Justin (aka Bone) and his wife Kaylin are in Texas this weekend buying their first two heifers as a start to their herd. They will be raised on Kaylin's family ranch in Whitney, TX while she finishes veterinary school at OSU. How did the next group of hunters do? Please tell everyone helol from the Posse, and keep up the good work. I look forward to talking with you soon, Ron
Thanks Ron!!! - Mike
Hey! Thanks for the videos. It's very interesting to see how your industry works. Hope you both made out like bandits, and that next season is even more successful for you guys.
Thanks Sally. Far from bandits but hopefully enough to keep the ranch going for another year. Thanks for watching! -Mike
I thank farmers & ranchers every day! 💕
Cows knew you took the calfs away, so they came to see you about the matter, right to your front yard.
Nah we just run about 175 momma cows with all their calves, 50 some up and coming replacement heifers ,and we have a farmers market division with fresh meats and produce . All raised by us.
Plus I am a cattle buyer here in WV so that's what keeps me hopping moving Cattle in the spring and fall buying seasons.
Ahh that makes sense. So now you let the cow out of the bag and let us know you are a cattle buyer, maybe you can help us. We've had a few comments asking about buyers. What they are looking for in calves? What will make them buy one group over the next? Can you answer these for us? Thanks in advance. - Mike
Yup, I can just imagine how much this would cost. Hope yall can make some sort of profit
found u thru blake(guy in wy) i know him from the tractor forum i visit daily. i liked this video. so i will watch more of urs. ok. take care-a very good informational video for the ones who know nothing about a farm-ranch.
Thanks Jim, and thanks for watching! - Mike
Thanks to you ranchers! I love my steaks and definitely appreciate the hard work that goes into raising cattle. My grandfather raised cattle in Oklahoma.
I've spent hours today watching your videos... you make this story very enjoyable and interesting!
I know what it's like trying to sleep through that sound.
Yeah, definitely can wake you up. Thanks - Mike
That time when early on we use to take off from school, load all trucks we could find and haul the older cows to auction in La Junta, Co. Steers got their ride on the larger trucks.
Lucky steers! haha. Our kids were actually off from school because of parent teacher conferences, so that worked out really well. Thanks Frank. -Mike
Crzy cowgirl. !! I been huntin good Ranch job 4 long time !! Startin 2 think aint none !! Ron !!!
Thanks for producing these great videos. My cousin and I are saving toward a bison operation in upstate NY. Grew up around crops and no livestock experience. Learning lots from you guys!!
That is awesome, good luck to you! - Mike
Job well done, I truly understand the bittersweet feelings. Thank you for sharing, I look forward to seeing the next video.
Thank you....hope all is well. - Mike
A picture of Bubbles on the front and back of the shirt. I loved that bull he was awesome. Bubbles was handsome and in my opinion the best looking bull I have seen in years. I will miss him. You should make him your ranch mascot.
Morning Mike! I bet you're glad to have that done for another year. That means one thing...work on the ranch gets windy and cold, with an occasional blizzard! Here's to quieter nights and a padded bank account. LOL! Great video, as always!! Deb
Thanks Deb, its coming.. i can feel it. Thanks ! - Mike
Pretty good video! Professionally made, friendly explained! It just was fun to watch it
Thank you very much and thanks for watching - Mike
I have always wanted to see how those livestock trailers are loaded. Thanks
Not a problem, thank Erin. Shes the one that saw an opportunity to show people something they have probably seen running down the road but most people have never been inside of. It was a great idea. Thanks! - Mike
Reed Flake running Rodeo video in Snowflake, Az has his own cattle truck that has the same compartments. He hauls corriente steers.
You are so good at making and commentating videos👏
Thanks Eric and thank you for watching - Mike
Great video! As well as your others 👍 I've been planning on going into cattle hauling business and me n my buddies are planning on starting a buffalo ranch in the near future and your videos are full of helpful information bout the ranch life that I can learn from, thank you and keep up the good work 👍 .....greetings from your neighbor, utah😂
Very cool, sounds like you guys have your work cut out for you. Thanks for watching - Mike
Our Wyoming Life yea definitely anytime👍🙂
You would be one spectacular tv host for RFD-TV (Farming Broadcast, etc.) Because you show and explain things so well
- Love the video and keep doing what you do best -
Thanks Ethan. Feel free to go to RFDs website and recommend us. We talked to them months ago but I think they forgot us. Thanks for watching. - Mike
Our Wyoming Life I will recommend you and I hope you get a look into the tv world.
Thanks Ethan :)
Our Wyoming Life noooo problem
Sure thing Mike, usually what a buyer like myself is looking for ( it does vary by buyer ) in feeder cattle anyway is feeders that are ready to move on to the feed yard or at least the preconditioning farms ( in order to get them ready for the feed yards ) mostly looking for 500-900 pound calves. But there is a market for everything. So most buyers will buy bulls, bred cows, slaughter cows etc
Myself personally am licenses to buy cattle, pigs, goats& sheep and horses. So their are many types of buyers out there looking for a seller. After the farmer contacts the buyer, they will come out to the farm or ranch as you all say out west to look at the stock and if they are like myself will have a portable scale system to weight the stock, providing the ranch doesn't already have one. Then the negotiation process begins.
If a deal is struck the buyer comes directly to the farm or at least close by to an adequate loading facility to pickup the stock.
A check is paid to the farmer before the cattle leave their facility. And hopefully a new yearly buyer/seller relationship is formed.
Also a good buyer has the farmer in mind in getting them the best prices, so the buyer may work with the farm / ranchers to work towards a more uniform herd for better pricing. As you well the know is very competitive.
Hope this answered the questions. Feel free to ask anymore.
Have a good day
Kory.
Great answer, thank you. So do you do auctions as well? Or just direct buys from producers? - Mike
Are all the animals you’re licensed to buy bought as meet animals?
ok thx for your reponse. By the way I really like your channel/videos. I'm from Germany and the way you're running your farm is not really or not at all etablished here, so it's especially interesting how you farm on another continent and in this case even in Wyoming. Pls go on producing nice videos.
Thank you for watching :0 - Mike
I hope your calves bring top dollar at the sales barn and you have manageable bills in the coming year. I have to admit, I miss helping my uncle gather and sort for shipping! The only thing that would make these videos better would be a way to include the smells of the ranch and the meals at the end of a hard day's work.
haha, yea the smells would really bring it all together. Calves did ok, not great but it is what it is. Hopefully costs stay down and we can make it work. As for the meal, I dont even remember what we had that night. I was out late, might have just been a bowl of cereal. lol Thanks for watching - Mike
Good video! Very interesting to see the semi trailer and auction barn. Thank you
Thank you very much, Lots of people appreciated seeing the inside of the trailer and that was all Erins idea! Thanks for watching - Mike
thank you
I found you from his video, liked ur content and subscribed.....
Thank you very much. We are glad you are here. -Mike
Glad I found your channel! Some of the most cherished memories I have is helping my uncles and grandparents on their farms some fifty years ago. From putting up hay to mucking barns to doing concrete work taught this (then) young boy some valuable life lessons. I don’t know how you can run a farm and feed a family on the revenue from selling two hundred head of calves per year. More power to you, and I look forward to more of your videos!
Glad you found us as well and thanks. Hope to hear more from you and your story - Mike
Wow! How nice to be welcomed personally from folks who I know are incredibly busy! Well, since you asked, I'll share a bit! Grew up in a mid-western suburb, but we had relatives who farmed and we'd go to visit. When we were really young, going to one of the farms was just playtime. When I got to be 8 or 9, then we were expected to help as there was work to be done, and that is how we spent time with our farming relatives. At first, I resented it. I wanted to PLAY. But instead, we did things like bale and put up hay literally from sunup to sundown for days on end. It was hard work, but I realized it was very, very fulfilling, satisfying work. To this day smelling fresh cut hay transports me vividly back in time to those wonderful days, the memories of which I would't trade for anything. You all have a fantastic ranch, and Wyoming is stunningly beautiful. I was last in WY in 1966. Hope to visit again someday.
Sir, thank you for sharing. This channel reminds me of when I was a child. Beautiful memories, hopefully my kids whom I love dearly will have a chance to experience what I did when I was child one day so they can understand where food comes from, and the hard work it takes to get it to the table.
Thank you Chavo - Mike
Thanks for showing me a picture of your life. Absolutely loved it, I’d give anything to spend a day out there. Thanks again from a new subscriber.
I do go to auctions and buy sometimes but usually only for slaughter animals to be moved on to the after they've been checked and everything. I really prefer to buy direct and work one in one with the farmer. As I am farmer myself.
Very cool. Thank you for sharing. We rarely talk to buyers. Thanks for everything. -Mike
Our cattle buyer preferred a working relationship with the ranchers he dealt with. You have a good feel for the livestock each ranch has and know you have a sound investment.
That is the very essence of a good buyer /seller relationship.
Thanks for the videos I enjoy them and find them very informative. Two questions if you dont mind: 1-how predictable are the auction results to you ahead of time? are most of the calves worth the same on a per lb basis or are their large variations depending on breed and other factors? 2-what is the process of understanding like for your children, are they more upset at certain ages about this process, and how long did it take them to process their concerns?
Once auctions start rolling (they do them every week) they tend to stay pretty steady, prices may fluctuate by a few cents per pound. Around here most of the cows that are sold are Angus, but I can tell you if an off breed comes through, our buyers will tend to pay less. We have had a couple of white calves in the past and they are always worth much less. As for the kids, we start them early, they learn the process and for the most part they understand it. Sale day can be tough as we usually have to explain it again. Mackenzie is now 7 and she understands farm to table, Grace who is 4 still needs help sometimes and Lincoln doesnt care as long as he gets a hamburger lol Thanks Nathan - Mike
Enjoyed this video very much. Very Informational. Thank You from Los Angeles CA
Thanks Mike
Thank you for watching Tim - Mike
It's a small world. I see the sign on the interstate for keyhole. I have 2 sisters a brother with their families and my mom that all live on Pine Ridge.
That is awesome, yes the world gets smaller everyday. Thanks Jess - Mike
Just subscribed to you're channel! Great work on everything I don't know how you get the time to do videos... sure glad you do!!
We wonder that ourselves often. Thanks - Mike
I can see how this process is bittersweet for you, must be really hard selling little calves that you raised, I wish you didn't have to, you seem to love and respect animals. Here's an idea, if you have a favorite calve you don't want to sell, let your audience know and offer them specific merch with a goal (the price you usually sold a calve) and if they reach the goal, you give away the calve to a sanctuary. Merch idea: Stuffed version of the calve, I bet you it works.
One does not KILL what they seem to "love and have respect for" your words!!
The calves are 500 lbs and give money of around 1000 dollars. Now you are selling t shirts. We consume meat and milk. Those are gifts from god.
Essentially God provides. That's what the prairie is for.
thankyou definitely Amazing work .. Its Well appreciated
I love watching your videos! I can see you really enjoy making videos just like I do over here in Nebraska. Keep up the good work!
Thank you very much, its alot of fun. Thanks for watching - Mike
I'm a fairly new watcher, I truly enjoy watching your videos (this one is in my top 5 favorites). I imagine you've probably received more criticism from this video than the others. Are you planing on making a similar video this fall? Prayers towards your family's way.
-Jacob
This one ranks up there on the criticism, but we take it and keep going. I'm sure we will make another when we sell again. Thanks Jacob, glad you found us - Mike
Good stuff and great for person like myself with a small herd to learn from . Nice to also see you and Blake team up.
Thanks Zach, glad we could help. Teaming up definitely helps. - Mike
Hi again! What a great vid! Detailed informative and amazing photography. Really explains your operation to those who are not familiar. I snicker because cows out fence down long hauls just part of it all. You folks do a nice job. See you again soon...
Thank you Sir ! - Mike
Our Wyoming Life You're more then welcome Mike. Just want you to know I'm a Ms not a Sir! Lol no problem as there's no way for you to know. Nice to say tho I do know how to run a ranch. The rest depends on what kind of critters live there! I'm about half done watching your vids and learning what you folks are all about. You've done a large number of them I'm finding out. Then I heard you say 3 per week! Do you ever sleep Mike?!!! Lol Enjoy...
Well I had a 50/50 shot lol. Thank you for clearing that up for me :)
BTW. Not much sleep lol
What a Beautiful and very educational video
This video reminds me of the time I bought my gilt at auction in turlock.
Nice! Thanks for watching - Mike
The worst part is when the kids start naming the calves. Then the kids look at them as pets, rather than money. That's why I farmed herbs - basil, mustard, cilantro, chili peppers, oregano, parsley, ... It's pretty hard to name a parsley sprig let alone raise it as a pet. Jon
I bet Erin could do it. She gets pretty down at the end of garden season. Thanks for watching. -Mike
2:11 NatGeo narrator comes into the video awsome video man keep up the good work hopefully onde day i will work for a farm
haha, Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving! - Mike
Hello from Texas!
Howdy Texas ! - Mike
I really enjoy and learn from your professionally made episodes!
Hello from New Mexico great video god bless you and your family ranching is a lot of work and a great way of life.
“I’m waiting for the sun to rise”
Said no real rancher EVER.
I had no idea how complex a cow trailer is
Its amazing, they can really cram them in there! Thanks - Mike
Thanks for the video. I had been raise on a dairy farm in Canada, auction days were very exiting too. It's fun to learn how a ranch is working.
Thank you and thanks for watching - Mike
We have weaned today so no sleep tonight as in the buildings down the yard from the house.......
Oh I can imagine. Thats always fun. - Mike
Yep in the back end we wean lambs 1,000 behind the house and take the sheep back to the fell that's quiet a noise too. Jacquie
I remember going to a cattle auction when I was about 9 years old.
here in aus on stations we use helicopters to muster the cattle to the yards we then draft out what we want to keep and whats getting sold
Very cool. Thank you -Mike
Remember seeing those trailers when I would go pick up meat loads out of processing plants....
We are going to be bringing cattle to the factory
Just found your channel!!! Very interesting.son went to Wyo tech so have been to Wyoming Larmie pretty layed back!!!
with so much land you own wouldn't be better to grow grains like corn, wheat, barley and fatten the calves? In my country(we have limousine breed) weaned calves(7 months) get all the grain they can eat and are sold after 7 months. Also we don't have grass fed beef here. All cows are grain fed.
Depends on the land of course, we cant grow grain crops here very well, soil just wont support it. Thank you very much - Mike
I just want to saddle up my old morgan cross and give ya a hand, round up on a atv just never was my idea of fun. keep on movin the herd. thanks for sharing the fun.
Thanks! It's always fun. -Mike
Living the life.
You are truely Blessed
Very good video!
Thank you - Mike
Saludos de México y Texas
Muchas gracias y gracias por mirar- Mike
Have you ever thought about getting a cattle dog to help herd cows?
We have, once we have an opening for another dog we might get one. Thanks - Mike
Our Wyoming Life I have a blue heeler and hes just an amazing dog. It was just a though I just started watching your videos and I'm in love with them.
Thank you very much. We have an older dog now that probably wouldn't do well with a new comer but a cattle dog is on the list :)
I'm excites to see what the future brings!!
Going to buy my t shirt soon amd cant wait :)
Awesome!!! Thank you very much - Mike
Hey Mike truly sorry to hear about the cows damaging your place I hope they didn't get in the Erin's Gardens. I feel a little at fault for asking you to go to the auction for good video of the auction.
Justin, dont sweat it. We were planning on going long before you asked us to. Next year we might do the internet thing though. haha -Mike