I have lived and breathed cows since I was a baby so needless to say, I love cows! Many people will say to me, but a cow is just a cow!

Not to me!!

This was Ginger, my first cow! She had attitude! Let’s just say, she kept me on my toes when she calved each year!

 

Next, was Kassy! Now Kassy was the complete opposite to Ginger. She loved everyone as much as we loved her! You could even ride her bareback like a horse!

Our current show heifer is Daisy, who is Kassy’s granddaughter. Daisy has spunk, but she has a soft spot for my oldest son.

Both of my boys have developed a eye for observing cows at a very young age. My two year old son can go into a pen of heifers and pick Daisy out immediately. When my oldest was 2, he told everyone where 19R was at all times!

Each cow has a unique personality and appearance and as cattle ranchers, we use many techniques to pick our replacement heifers and bulls.

We look at the animal’s conformation, pedigree, EPDs, measurements such as birth weight or weaning weight, their temperament and their offspring’s records if they have had a calf or sired calves. All of these factors help us to decide the potential of the animal. Every rancher may look at some of these qualities more than others.

So the next time you meet a cattle rancher, ask them to tell you a story about a cow and I am sure you will get a great one!