Making a wish list of bulls for next breeding season

There are always several late fall projects to complete before the ground freezes

October 20 Last week we moved the cows to the lower back field to join the heifers They can all graze there a few weeks. We checked the temporary fence around the deep gully — to make sure it was still secure enough to keep cows out of that gully. It’s so deep and narrow […] Read more




Haying season gets underway, a tribute to a great-granddaughter

Haying season gets underway, a tribute to a great-granddaughter

Warranty was applied to replace a bull bought last year

June 20 Two weeks ago, after the doctor here checked Dani’s baby, they were sent to Community Hospital in Missoula to be checked and monitored overnight (see ‘Tribute’ at bottom). Ammarie was doing better by next day so Andrea brought them home. Later that week we had a vet look at Barney, our new bull. […] Read more



It was all hands on deck for processing of cows and calves in mid-May before they head out to summer pasture.

Water diverted to fields to get grass growing

Rancher's Diary: Cattle are processed and soon heading to summer range

April 27 This past week was cold, windy and more snow. Last Thursday we put the last two pairs out of the barn and into pens with windbreaks and roof shelters over the corners so those new babies could get out of the wind and snow. Friday evening grandson Nick came by and we gave […] Read more


As brush and old buildings were cleared for new fencing and more pasture, it was necessary to pull this old 1960 Ford tractor out of the way. It had been parked near the old tack-room for nearly 35 years.

Cold temps slow fencing and yard cleanup

There were a few antique treasures in the old sheds, and also some junk

February 21 This past week has been bitterly cold. On Valentine’s Day we had a snowstorm and nasty wind. We decided to move the big bulls to the main corral sooner than planned since they refused to drink the water coming through their pen. It’s murky and probably bad-tasting after the waterway was rechannelled through […] Read more



Veterinarian Dr. Cope who was just at the Thomas ranch this fall doing ultrasound preg checking has died after serving  his clients for some 44 years. Although in failing health he remained active until the end.

Community mourns the loss of a longtime veterinarian

Rancher’s Diary: Dr. Cope served his clients for 44 years, working right up until he died

December 26 Last week I added a short pole to the little bulls’ feeder to divide the space where one of the upright bars is missing, so they can’t climb into it. I went to the dentist late that afternoon to have a broken tooth prepped for a crown and the dentist put a temporary […] Read more

On one of the warmer days (above freezing) it was an opportunity to vaccinate the bred heifers with the first scour vaccine so they could have a booster shot before calving. Charlie and Dani ran the head catch and the tailgate and squeeze.

Winter conditions made it difficult to travel

Snow and cold weather for trips to buy bulls and pick up a mini excavator

November 26 Last Thursday morning it was snowing hard. Michael called to tell us he was worried about Andrea and me trying to take our trailer to the bull sale Montana the next day. We’d have to chain up the truck and trailer to make it over two of the passes. We realized another problem […] Read more