A quote from an older Texas cowman that I’ve heard Amy Auker often use, “I’ll take a calf or a rain anytime—” is certainly applicable this morning after receiving 1.5” rain while our cows have been calving this past month. The change from 100º temperatures, bad air and dust to the pungent smell of after-rain is invigorating, a new beginning as we head into the fall and winter months of our grass season. The grass will start whether we want it to or not, and with plenty of old feed to hold the moisture, we’re off to a good start.
But it’s a little early to start the grass with the threat of 90º days in October. The grass will need a repeat application later this month to stay alive. And like the ideal of having your calves all come at the same time, we tend to harbor worries in the midst of plenty, circumstances that may not quite fit our notions of perfection.
I could claim that this mindset is part of our livestock culture, one based on experience and anecdotal accounts before our time, a livelihood dependent on the whims of the weather, but I suspect those doubts that we sometimes let override our good fortune are shared with most other walks of life as well. Keeping it simple, I have to remind myself that I’ll take a calf or a rain anytime—and be grateful!
drycrikjournal 