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Page 12
Golden Valley News
May 14, 2015
Winter is tough, but spring is worth it
Hello, But you kfi0w what. When those
Hat Tips
By Dean Meyer
+'Spring has sprung, tile grass has cows are calving and that snow is
grung". I know thai: doesn't make starting to settle down a little, some
any sense, but 1 had to make it guess there are people like that too. night you'tl wake up. You'll w,~lke up
rhynle. This is a harder problem to solve, and wonder what that noise is. And
This is a special time of the year. You hate to beat up a cow that likes you'll lie awake and then it will
And you can't always tell spring is calves. So just give her a little extra dawn on you. Water is dripping oft"
here by the weather. Snow storms on teed and in time she should figure it the roof.And you'll feel alittle of tile
the plains of the Dakotas can last out. If her own calf doesn't starve to ache go out of your bones.
until spring is over. And then start death in the mean time. And the .next morning the you'll
again right after our two days of Ranchers are a funny breed. They see some grass peeking out from
summer. 1 guess it's probably willsit up all night with a sickcalfor under their snowy blanket up on the
snowed every, month around here. a heifer having trouble. They will ridge. And a little black will start to
But I always figured they called it wreck a pickup worth thousands of peek through on the hay fields. And
spring cause the cows are springing dollars to fight through a storm to when you go to bed at night, you'll
up and getting ready to calf. Now, if find a calf worth eighty or a hundred hear water running down the creek,
you don't know what "springing up" dollars. They will take a thirty thou- on it's journey to the gulf. And you
is. I guess I won't explain, but look sand dollar tractor burning dollar fuel will realize that you have made an-
under their tail.
We've always calved a lot of eight miles to the river to pick up a other winter. Spring is here.
heifers. Now heifers take special calf that is starving. And while they And in a couple of weeks those
are driving along, they will wonder calves you were struggling to keep
care. Extra feed. More shelter. And a how come they never make any alive will be bucking and playing and
watchful eye when they start calving, money. Don't tell em, cause I'd hate racing across the green pastures. And
All things that Shirley and Will are to see them change, their mothers will be bellering and
pretty good at. I'm good at going to I remember the spring from hell. throwing a fit and trying to tell them
sate and buying the heifers for them When we had three feet of wet snow to slow down.
to watch, towards the end of April. And no Those saddlehorses that wintered
Most heifers are pretty good.feed. Cows scattered all over the out west will start to fatten up and
They might need a little assistance in ranch and right in the thick of calv- shed off and you'll have to figure out
delivering the calf, but after that, ing. Big calves. Real big calves. I a way to get your wife or son to {op
they are alright. But occasionally you swear some of those calves being them off so you can go riding.
run across one that hates her calf. I born were last years. You could ride One day, you'll be poking along,
guess there are probably people like out at night with a flashlight and find looking for that black cow with a
that too. And you have to kind of a cow trying to calf, and the calfs feet spot under her eye, and you'll hear a
guide that dumb old heifer through were as big as the cows. I hate that. strange noise. And as you look sky-
the early stages of parenthood. But, boy, we had heavy calves that ward you'll see the first geese cheer-
Now there are a couple of ways to fall. Not as many. But heavy,ing each other north. And you can sit
do that. Sometimes whistling the dog And with those wet springs comes down on a side hill and let your horse
over can make her a better mother, the gumbo. Now, not gumbo like you nibble that short little green grass and
Sometimes putting her in the chute eat if you live down south. And to me just lie back and feel the warmth of
and helping the calf nurse will south is anything past Dickinson. the sun's rays as they warm you like
awaken her motherly instincts. This is gumbo that looks like con- a furnace never could.
Sometimes beating her up with an crete, grows as much grass as Astro- And on the way home, you'll ride
ash post wilt help, or at least make turf, and sticks better than super glue across the same side hill you've rid-
yob feel better. Sometimes putting when wet. It sticks to overshoes. It den every day, and all at once it is
molasses on the calf and over her sticks to tires. It sticks to pickups and covered with crocuses. And you've
nose will help. Sometimes giving her tractors and machinery and horses got to stop and pick a few for the
a shot of "Ace" and hauling her to feet. wife and kids. And you hate to break
the cow sale with her calf will help. And we've been blessed with lots them off. And you have to carry them
Maybe not help her, or the guy that of it. We have gumbo flats. We have in your hand cause your pocket
buys her. but it will shorten up your gumbo hills. We have gumbo inwould crush them. And you crawl on
chore time. And you've got all those places where most people don't have that good looking colt and trot on to-
other hungry mouths to tend to. wards home and you think to your-
places. I've ridden in. Driven in it'.
And then you have a heifer that Rolled in it. Slipped in it. And I have self: Life is good. "
loves her calf. And the one in the no idea what it is good for. But, then This spring I think you'll be big
next pen. And the one that is born the I'm not done yet. enough to go along.
next morning. She wants them all. I Later, Dean
The following are some of the 44. Merritt Island, Fla.; Diego F. Vehicle with tinted or driver
cases closed in Southwest District Echegaray, 36, Euless. Texas; Keith compartment window not to be
Court in April in Billings County: J. Erickson, 30, Gillette, Wyo,: John used: Mauro A. Corona, 32, Mount
Speeding: Robert K. Berender. J. Etten, 66, Reno, Nev.; Christo- Vernon, Wash.; Terry, 28, Lake
37, Monument, Colo.: Brooks D. pher M. Evans, 41, Greensboro, N. Jackson, Texas
Bierema, 29, Spearfish, S. D.: Gre- C.; Darrell A. Finks, 47, Fordyce, Overtook where prohibited:
gory C. Brown, 45, Watford City: Alaska; Lisa L. Fox, 38,Lumberton, John R. Cams, 39, Watford City
Michael J. Carter, 24, Williston: N.C.; Larry S. Fraser, 44, White Care required in operating a
Michael J.Coyne, Dickinson: Roger Hall, Itl.: Misrain Gonzalez, 25, vehicle: Michael R. Walter, 52,
J. Cutshall, 39, Grassy Butte: Doris Watford City: Hector J, Gonzalez- Frenchtown, Mont.; James H. Jones,
R. Dagman, 51, Williston; Luke B. class, 30, Watford City; Dakota E. jr 63, Molalla, Ore.; Gary W.
Dardis, 19, Stamford, Conn.; Herald, 21, Dickinson; Larry D. Odell, 56,Alexander
Chantz M. Dirk, 29. Lemmon, S. Johnson, 57, Medora; Edwin A. Jor- Driving while license privilege
D.: Jesse H. Duckwitz, 50, Belfield: dan-Archila, 23, Williston; is suspended: Shane B. Rhodes, 22,
Kimberly A. Finder, 32, Watford Speeding: Joseph C. Keel, 34, Bismarck; Austin G. Wentz, 23,
City; Martin Gomez-Tapia, 31, Williston; Kirby F. Keller, 42, Lewiston, Idaho
South Heart: Michael D. Grin- Setby, S. D.; Peggy L. Kowatski, Driving a vehicle while under
steiner, 38, Richardton; Michael J. 60. Mosinee, Wis,; Santiago M.the influence/refusal of chemical
Hutton, 54, Beach; Erick W. Iver- Maria, 30,Cottonwood,Ariz.; Niles test: Austin G.Wentz, 23,Lewiston,
son, 25, Belfield; Cody G. Kummer, M.R. McNee', 30, Fairview, Mo.; Idaho
Watford City; Jeremy M. Ludlum, Andrew A. Melott, 35, Sheffield Drove without operator's li-
39, Witliston; Andrew M. Mastel. Vig. Ohio: Kenneth R. Musick, 48, cense: Lester D. Oxendine, 31,
30, Mandan; Jon D. Masunaga, 48, Grassy Butte; David M. Nasset,Trenton,N. D.; Hector J. Gonzalez-
Chicago, Ill.; Donal J. Meidinger, Bowman; Rebecca L. Nelson, 36,class, 30, Watford City; Gary W.
31, Dickinson; Josh M. Miller, 24, Pinedale,Wyo.; Rick L. Newell, 23, Odell, 56, Alexander
Rapid City, S. D.; Bruce D. Morast, Watford City; Luis A. Peralta, 24, Failed to display current regis-
39, Dickinson: Joelle M. Muckle. Rapid City, S. D.: Jacob M. Pride, tration, plats, tabs: Morgan L.
24, Marmarth; Kylie E. Olson, 23. 20, Greenville, Texas; Abigail S. Myers, 23,Red Owl, S.D.
Dickinson; Reno, 32, Billings, Mont.: Onna- Front seat occupants not
Speeding: Benjamin Z. Silva, elise Robinholt, 22, Fargo; Thomas belted: Morgan L. Myers, 23, Red
34, Watford City; Samuel M. Talk- J. Romano, 46, Fairfield: Dean H. Owl, S.D.; Lester D. Oxendine, 31,
ington, 37, Boise, Idaho: Darryl L. Tanninen, 4"7, Watford City: Jordan Trenton, N.D.'; Eddy E. Perna, 48,
Thomas, 28, Belfield; Kirk D. Volk, D. Terry, 28, Lake Jackson,Texas (2 Miami, Fla.;
59, Mandan; David R. Wessel, 27, counts); Wayne W. Traver, 34, Hen- Log violation: Eddy E. Perna,
Dickinson; Powell T. Wright, 34, derson, Nev.: Royal L. Westphal, 48,Miami,Fla.;Larry S. Fraser, 44,
Minturn,Colo.;AtrezM.Begay, 35,54, Watford City; Billie K, White Hall, Ill.
Whiteriver, Ariz.; Thomas E. Williams, 37,Williston Carrying concealed firearm or
Brooks,jr 49, Mer Rouge, La.; An- Operator failed to wear seat weapon: Austin A. Losey, 20, Miles
gela D. Brown, 47, Foley. Minn.; belt: Darrell A. Finks, 47, Fordyce, City, Mont.
Adriana C. Bultis, 24, New Town; Alaska; Rick L. Newell, 23, Wat- Failure to register motor vehi-
John Q. A. Butler, 3rd, 45, Cody, ford City: James M. Reker, 24,cle:MartinGomez-Tapia, 31,South
Wyo.; Shaun P. Christianson, 33; Dickinson Heart; Wayne L. Koistinen, 34,
Dickinson;Timothy W. Craven. 30, Log book not current Cfr Hayti, S. D.; Terry. L. Vanderpan.
Post Falls, Idaho; James W. Debolt, 395.81"1." Christopher M. Evans, 41, 65. Watford City; Cory A. Ghering,
29, Palm Bay, Fla.; John S. Duncan, Greensboro, N.C. 37, Dickinson; Kent M. Wurgler, 52
Distracted driving citations spiked in April
Eleven law enforcement agencies
in North Dakota worked a total of 320
overtime hours for distracted driving
prevention during the month ofAplil.
With 10 of the 11 agencies report-
ing, a total of 186 distracted driving
law in North Dakota, as well as cita-
tions reminding motorists to elimi-
nate distractions while driving. North
Dakota law prohibits accessing or
sending electronic data while operat-
ing a motor vehicle-even while
than half of licensed drivers who re-
sponded to a 2014 Traffic Safety Sur-
vey admitted they text while driving
at least occasionally.
Funding for distracted driving en-
forcement is provided by the North
Have a plan to manage cowherd subgroups
Spotty spring rains are helping re-
, lje ye ~cRnd{tij?ns~ ~ow, gv~, there
alway~ Will beii ranch short Of mois-
ture, so planning for the dry days is
critical. But the real challenge with
the implementation of a long-term
grazing plan and developing stocking
rate reductions based on seasonal easier to haul and usually are sorted
moisture is that cattle are not easy to already, so adjustments are more ment plan is to cull deeply because
gather, manageable. In reality, the alternative every cow left requires feed. "I wish
Historically, those cattle that are management ofreplacementandflrst- I had marketed a few extra cows
not suitable for grazing are left in the calf heifers may be all that is needed early" too often is mumbled when the
calving pens until an appropriate day to address pending grass shortages, dust blows. Following calving, those
anives when they can be hauled to The mature cows in the herd are cows that are unsound, have poor ud-
market. Likewise, as fall cattle gath- more challenging. The key is to envi- ders, are poor or wild mothers, are
erings occur, those cattle that are not sion a plan to sort the cows and calves ornery or have any other out-of-place
suitable for overwintering are sorted into alternative management groups notation in the calving book belong in
and penned. When the appropriate if the supply of grass becomes an this group. In addition, go through the
day arrives, they also are hauled to issue. Cattle producers need to imple- inventory and add 9-year-old or older
market, ment well-designed management cows to this group.
Both groups are replaced with regimes that add or subtract and move A goal for step two should be elim-
bred heifers. The general formula is cattle in a timely fashion to take ad- inating 10 percent of the cow herd.
one replacement heifer for each cow vantage of how plants respond to Accessibility to these cows is critical
sold. moisture, if precipitation fails to maintain grass
The point and challenge is that Before any plan, producers must growth. Start thinking today about
beef producers need to have a plan. In acknowledge they are stocking ap- how you could access these cows if
other words, it is the process of propriately within their designed needed' Remember that the key to im-
slowly changing stocking rates to re- grazing system. Overstocking any plementing a stock-reduction plan is
fleet the changing plant communities system will initiate an earlier grazing to have the cattle available to market.
in response to changing moisture sup- crisis, so stock correctly. Having to round up the whole herd to
plies. However, the implementation Even when stocking rates are pull out a few pairs delays the imple-
of a flexible stocking-rate plan needs within the grazing plan, a plan that al- mentation of the plan and uses up
to be in place prior to turnout to sum- lows for the movement of cattle, with valuable feed in the process.
mer pasture, an option to reduce your cattle inven- From a practical standpoint, the
The first point is the replacements, tory up to 15 percent, should be de- producer now has a pending thought
The first-calf heifers are approxi- veloped for the mature cowherd. Two process to modify his or her cattle
mately 15 percent of the cattle inven- suggestions are offered, management or reduce "the cow in-
tory, and replacement heifers can For the first step, May is a month ventory.
account for more than 20 percent of that cattle generally still are accessi- No longer is a producer looking at
the cattle inventory. These are by far bte for sorting, so sort and market all one large, unmanageable herd. In-
the two largest groups of cattle on the cows not nursing a calf, including stead, the producer has manageable
most ranch operations, so having an first-calf heifers. Remember that open subgroups of cattle that include 20
alternative feeding plan for replace- cows are market cows, so write that percent replacement heifers, 15 per-
ment heifers and first-calf heifers on the barn wall. This should reduce cent first-calf heifers, 5 percent dry
adds flexibility to stocking mature the herd by 5 percent, but keep in cows, 10 percent dysfunctional or
cows. mind that replacement first-calf older cows and 50 percent mature
In dry conditions, if possible, dry- heifers are not added, cows.
lot the heifers and/or the first-calf The second step is to take a long, Manage according to the plan.
heifers. These two groups of cattle are hard look at those cows that would be May you find all your ear tags.
New flashing yellow arrow signals being installed
The North Dakota Department of if they are in the inte~ection. A steady traffic volumes. For example, during
' Transportation (NDDOT) is in the red arrow means rning driversrush ho r if there are few gaps in on-
process of replacing a number oftraf- must stop. - coming traffic, the signals can be
tic signals to the new "flashing yellow Flashing yellow arrow left turn sig- more restrictive and Only allow left
arrow" left turn signals. The new nals have been shown to be safer, turns on a green arrow. When rush
flashing yellow arrow replaces the more efficient, and more flexible than hour is over and there are more gaps
green ball over left turn lanes, traditional signals. The NDDOT says in oncoming traffic, the signals can
Motorists will be seeing more of other reasons for the change include: then be less restrictive and allow left
the flashing yellow arrow turn signal - Safety: A national study showed turns on green arrows and/or flashing
across the state and should be pre- drivers made fewer mistakes with yellow arrows.
pared to navigate through the inter- flashing yellow arrow indications than - Federal rules: For new traffic sig-
sections. The steady green arrow with the existing green ball indica- nals, green ball indications are no
,means left turning drivers have the tions, longer allowed over left turn lanes.
fight of way. The flashing yellow - Efficiency: Green left turn arrows The green ball will continue to be
arrow means left turns are permitted, can be used either before or after used at locations where permissive
but you must use caution and yield to through traffic has a green ball. This left turns are allowed where this is no
pedestrians and oncoming traffic, improves signal timing progression dedicated left turn lane.
When the flashing yellow arrow ends, and traffic flow in signalized coni- For more information on flashing
the steady yellow axrow begins, mean- dots. yellow arrow left turn signals in North
ing the left turn signal is about to -Flexibility': Left turn signal oper- Dakota, please go to
change to red and drivers should pre- ations can now change during the day https://www.dot.nd.gov/divisions/pro-
pare to stop or complete their left turn to better respond to fluctuations in gramming/flashing-yellow-arrow.htm.
,'~
citations were issued, and a total of stopped at a stoplight. The fine for Dakota Department of Transporta-
culled anyway in the fall. If the'in- 321 citations,+were ,given during, the . texting while driving, in North Dakota t:ion.
+ l/ento ;y is npt s ,'nf w .h t e feed eri] brceme t Pdri0d +: is $I00.
avadable, market those cowg'as!c w- Oft?errs f]rfil l hp WfoPe +elClta i ticied'4di i ,'i tzd 0es to L : ,
I
calf pairs and let someone else feed of North Dakotas anti-texting law gain national attention, supported by ] ~? YOUr ~Otley
them. In this case, you also are not durin~ a national U Drive. U Text. U research that examines the effects of ] ~ePe Your ~ou$t~ ,~$/
going to add first-calf heifer replace- Pay.high-visibility enforcement cam- cell phone use as well as other dis- I ~,~0~0,~t 2#~=, ~,~,our
ments, pai on. The effort resulted in education tractions contributing to motor vehi- I /msmesses are communiq
your ~st vglue ~ and our economy"
The key to an), drought manage- about the no-texting-while-drivin cle crashes. In North Dakota. more ] ---
Congress shall
make no law
abridging the freedom
of speech, or of the press.
Amendment I
U.S. Constitution
Don't let your freedom slip away.
Protect it as if you were Theodore Roosevelt.
"Free speech, exercised
both individually and
through a free press,
is a necessity in any
country where people are
themselves free."
-- Theodore Roosevelt
1918
North Dakota, since statehood, has been well-served with strong and
effective open meetings and open records laws. Tell the people who
represent you in the legislature that you, and Theodore Roosevelt,
like it that way.