by Nancy Hemphill
Hello,my name is Nancy Hemphill from the Lassen County CattleWomen’s organization. Spring has begun to spring in the Honey Lake Valley and northeastern California. With the arrival offspring, so does calving season on our local ranches.
As you drive around the valleys you will see baby calves frolicking and playing in the fields. This is a time of great joy to for the ranches as we know the cycle off life has completed full circle and it is beginning again. If you happen to come upon a calfthatisleft alone, and seemingly all by itself, do not be alarmed. Even though cattle have been domesticated forthousands of years,they still have a wild animal instinctin
them.
A cow will hide its calf or leave it some place while it goes for feed or water. Another thing that happens is cows will lose a calf for one reason or another. A rancher will then graft or make the cow adopt another calf to raise for that year. The reason is that cows are basically a beef factory on feet. That turns a renewable seemingly unusable resource, grass, into a tasty protein that we all love, be it a
hamburger or steak.
So, enjoy a Sunday drive with your family and check out the local ranches. You will not only see cattle, there is a plethora of wildlife that is supported by the private lands ofthe ranchers as well. Remember“Beef – It’s What’s for Dinner!”
