
The four steers we have had the privilege of pasturing since Memorial Day departed last Wednesday. This has become a marker in the farm season--it means the corn is nearly ripe and without cattle in the pasture, the appearance of a few deer. Our friend, Fred Colvin sends Mary who is an EXPERT truck backer-upper to pick the cattle up. It's our job to get them in the small steel frame corral. We spend the week prior to the pick-up date training them by putting delicious pea vines in the enclosure. They learn pretty quickly to go in and expect to find food. this year, one of the reds pretty much refused to take the bate during the week. Only one of us was available to corral them on pick-up day (me!). I put the peas in the corral--three went in and Red tried to eat pea vines from the outside. I started towards him and he went the opposite way which was right into the corral. I slammed the gate and the four steer and I waited patiently for Mary to arrive. Fortunately, Mark came home and took over on the loading operation which is a whole other set of challenges. Then, they were gone for another year. Thanks Colvin Ranch!