Successes!

Another Fair Week has come & gone.  The stalls are cleaned out, the animals loaded, the vehicles unloaded, and we're back home now hopefully going to get a much needed nap!  Sometimes we wonder why it is that we do this with our Family. But, as we reflect back on the successes & trials we had this week, a lot of different thoughts come to mind.  We do 4-H with our kids because it teaches them responsibility. It teaches them a love for agriculture and a respect for animals and what they give to us.  We do 4-H because it is a way to spend time with each other learning life skills.  We do 4-H because we like the character traits it promotes.  We don't always like the things that happen to us and can't always control the end result, but hard work, being together, and looking for ways to help others is something that we feel makes the ultimate Grand Champion! 

The Barker Family joined with the Ottley Crew and came to take in the Fair Scene at the Cassia County Fair.  It's a great tradition and for those that couldn't make it, get started making your plans to attend with us next year!  They ought to get a prize for the most dedicated "Out of towner fans" as they were die-hards hitting all 3 nights of the rodeo. You have a family gathering that is hard to beat with picnics, Kay's caramels & visiting at the motel courtyard plus swimming and maybe a little too much cotton candy, maple bars & kettle corn.  

Kamri with Grand Champion Cassia Born & Raised Steer. Over 50 home grown steers in the show. All Aboard Sired Steer. 

Kamri in the Champion Drive for Overall Champion 4H Steer.  Quite a line up with over 80 head of steers in the show.   4th place overall.  2nd place Intermediate Showman in Fitting & Showing.

Brodey with Tour of Duty (PB Angus Heifer).  Champion Heifer Calf in 4H, and class Winner in County Heifer Futurity Show. 

Kamri with Entrepeneur (Sm x An) Heifer Calf.  Reserve Champion in 4H and 3rd place class winner in Cassia Heifer Futurity. 

Champions!

Fair season is upon us and we're excited to see how all the calves from last year's sale do.  We hope everyone is geared up and ready to go. It is fun to see what they develop into with time, feeding, some hard work & TLC.  Congratulations to the Matthews family for Champion at Power County Fair.  No Surprise steer, Lot 11 in last years sale.  They tell us the Reserve Champion was also sired by Barker Cattle Co. bulls.

Cows to the Forest

We weren't sure that we were going to be able to fit in the trip to the Forest with all the hours being put in getting the hay up and water back on.  But, on Friday we gathered them and vaccinated that evening so that everything could come together to take the cows out on Saturday morning.   Job well done!

And they're off!

Had to practice the roping skills on one that needed doctoring.  Good thing the in-laws came to assist Braden!

These 1st calf heifers weren't too sure about where they were being taken.

Home for the next couple of months.

Don't get lost in here!

Mothering up after the drive. 

Breakfast always tastes better in the mountains!

 It was a beautiful day for pushing the cows up and we appreciated the Kofford family joining in for the day.

Movin' Hay!

1st crop is underway and the bales are now coming into the stack.  It's going a little faster with the purchase of a semi and trailer.  We were afraid Ruel's good ol' gold truck couldn't make it one more year doing all that pulling.  It seems a little strange to be pulling the hay off before taking the cows out to the Forest permit, but we're rolling along with the season this year.

Raked hay ready to bale

Load 'em up and haul 'em out

Putting in the stack

Family & Traditions

 Being an adopted part of the Barker clan, the Ottley Crew lives here and works 24/7 in the Elba Valley.  We love this lifestyle, the heritage, and beautiful setting we get the opportunity to work in with our own family.

 Having family come home IS one of the best things ever, and Memorial Day Weekend has become a gathering of the Barker friends & family in Elba.  This past weekend was one of the largest gatherings and a testament to the saying "A Family That Plays Together...Stays Together".   It can be stressful however when rain storms dampen the plans and cause everything to move indoors. A quick headcount Sunday night  (give or take a few!) calculated to 72 people coming through the doors.  A beautiful rainbow was the reward for the "closeness" inside!

Front Porch Rainbow!

It wouldn't be a Memorial Day Weekend without a branding to do.  We may not hold the Guinness record for 15,000 worked in 4 1/2 hours, but it's possible we did have the largest family crew ever. Being a "cowboy" for the day is all part of the experience and Tom delights in the first "fling" over his shoulder when cutting the steers.  Uncle Ray commented he still loves the smell of the branding smoke, but probably not everyone concurs with that!

We pay tribute to those who have come before and look forward to our future!

Gathering in the backyard for the hot dog roast with all the fixin's and smores is a must!

We love these people and their families!  Thank you for everything you've done!

Valley so Green!

The rains this spring have been steady. A little challenging to get all the cows bred & branded in, but we aren't complaining too loud.   Our Elba Valley is green and with a little sunshine, things will really start growing.

Round up ready Alfalfa field. Only water so far coming from rains. Probably ready to cut 1st week of June.

Everleaf Oats coming nicely.  Still snow on the mountains. Count your many blessings!

Heli-Wood spraying sagebrush for us today. 

The Life We Live!

It's hard to explain the life that we live here on the ranch in Elba to those who don't live this lifestyle. The best way is to come experience it for yourself, and that's exactly what the Sandstrom's decided to let their friends & neighbors come be a part of this weekend with us.  Welcome to the Dobson & Rhoton families.

 Branding a big group of calves and getting the cows ready to breed for the next week was on the calendar for this Saturday.  Unfortunately a huge Thunderstorm doused us on Friday night.  The hot dog roast had to be postponed and it was questionable if the branding the next morning would even happen.  But, we woke up and found the storm had passed in the night. Even though it was mucky, the horses were saddled up and the cows & calves brought in.  They cooperated really well until the sorting process and then the mud started slinging...everywhere!  But the show must go on!

This bunch wasn't afraid to get in and help.  Everyone was given an assignment and what a great crew they were as we worked through 115 calves and then the cows after that.  

Mike was not going to let one get through on him this time...well, maybe one did.  Glad we'll have drinks again next time. Thanks, Mike!

Fresh Rocky Mountain Oysters!

Some preferred not to come be a part of the branding smoke!  The 4-wheelers in the mud puddles were much more up their alley. 

Bottle Baby Ruby enjoyed the extra attention she got. 

Nasogen..check! Dectomax..check! Brand....check! Vaccinated....check! Tattoo...check!  Blood tested...check!

Uh Oh! We caught it..now to get the rope off.

A lesson in tagging & tattooing were given.

Getting tag #'s to get the tattoo #'s ready to go.

We appreciated the hot lunch and snacks that came out. Thanks, Gals!

Pushing cows up the chute.

Wanna kiss Country style?

Smilin' 'cause we're almost done and those clouds are getting darker & darker!

How to properly feed a bottle calf.  Parker has been trained!

Oh My! What happens at the Ranch..stays at the Ranch!

A chute full of hard working guys!  Nice to have some big guns back there. 

Our Elba Valley is a beautiful site right now.  Everything is  green with all the rains we've received. 

And back to the field we go....Another day is done.   We appreciated the help and Thanks for the great pictures Derek Dobson!