We were recently contacted by an upstate South Carolina rancher about our use of Ecto-phyte and Neem oil for external parasite control. He asked what type of oil we mix with the Ecto-phyte and water, do we mix Neem oil and Ecto-phyte together, do we rotate the use of these … Continue reading →

About a week ago, Mason sold a bull to some folks in the Holliday area. We thought the day might end with one of our bulls being sold though. The buyers started looking at the entire group and asked if a younger one, ours, was for sell. Well, yes he … Continue reading →

My only complaint about our herd bull is that he keeps producing bull calves. In the past two years, only two heifer calves have hit the ground. This scenario makes for slow replenishing within a herd so Don and I made a four hour trip to a Red Angus sanctioned … Continue reading →

The calves are coming up on ten months of age. The age at which we wean them from the mamma cows. This morning we gave them their first round of vaccinations. In two more weeks, the calves will be put in a pasture adjacent to one with the cows and … Continue reading →

The vet likes to see us. Why? We don’t give him a lot of business. It’s the disposition of our stock. We take our cattle to the University of Missouri – Columbia Veterinarian Clinic which is a teaching facility for vet students. Dr. V. usually asks Don to play along … Continue reading →

Back in July, we vaccinated the bulls in advance of the coming breeding season. We vaccinate at least 30 days in advance of bull turn out to avoid the vaccine reducing semen quality. While in the chute, we measured each bull and did a general look over. This information was … Continue reading →

Calving season has come and gone and it looks like the Bryans are in the bull business again. Just as last year, we have all bull calves with the exception of one heifer. This is the first year that we have calved through triple digit temperatures, however the girls are … Continue reading →

I’ve noticed considerably fewer flies on the cattle this season and am trying to pin point the reason. I’ve narrowed it down to these few. We’ve changed our salt mix to a custom blend that includes vinegar and garlic. As the cattle sweat they secrete these components which are distasteful … Continue reading →

We recently dined with friends and among the many conversations, they asked how often we were bringing a new bull into the mix. “Well, not very often”, we replied. “In fact, we are taking a stab at producing our own bulls.” Their reply, “What? You can do that?” I believe … Continue reading →

Recently someone said to me, “Why don’t you just breed her and take her to the sale barn? You’ll get more for her.” Well, that’s true but let me give some background information on the cow numbered 806; she’s being culled because she didn’t bred back during the set breeding … Continue reading →