The major project this year has been remodeling the corral system to provide more efficient sorting, separating and movement from the pens into the working chute and back out. Another focus of the project was to strengthen the panel system. It’s pretty annoying to have to interrupt our work flow because one or more cows crash the gate into the holding pen for the calves. Re-sorting everyone back to where they belong is time consuming and stressful for humans and bovines!
Bill used his tractor with bale fork attachment to position the panels.
He connected the panels together using sleeves made of short lengths of pipe slightly larger than the rails at each join area. Then he welded both ends of each sleeve to the panel rail. Notice his welding helmet—it’s the Darth Vader farmer’s model!
Bill found an easy and economical solution to protecting the hypodermic syringes while working cattle. He bought a small cooler for two bucks at a thrift store and cut four holes 1 ½ inches in diameter in one side. He cut four eight-inch lengths of 1 ½ inch diameter PVC pipe, inserted them in the four holes so the outside edges were flush with the outside of the cooler, then secured the lengths in place with the clear silicone exterior sealant I use to assemble my glass garden totems. Here is the finished product from the outside...
I spent last Sunday finalizing my preparations: doing laundry to make sure we have clean farm clothes...
and making granola, a breakfast staple around here. Mixed with a small container of yogurt and followed up with a piece of fruit, it’s a quick breakfast on a busy morning.
Preparations are complete and we’re ready to work cattle! Details later.