drycrikjournal

The tin roof of this old barn
leaks news like rain and flaps
in a pretentious storm of words

it tries to shed as we huddle
in the dry with what we believe—
the sun will come to green

the dirt and repair our senses,
and we will sing Hallelujah!
rejoicing long into the night.

Posted in Photographs, Poems 2019

Feeding in September

Posted on September 18, 2019 by John | Leave a comment

Though not short of feed in the flat below Terminus Dam, we keep plenty of alfalfa hay in front of our replacement heifers this time of year. The old feed is mostly filler without much strength and we want our yearling heifers to continue growing and be in shape to cycle when we turn the Wagyu bulls out three months from now. Protein licks and balanced minerals are also available.

In addition to the yearling heifers on the flat are some first-calf heifers bred last year to Wagyu bulls. Close enough to keep an eye on, all this special attention, (I’m afraid we spoil them), will help with the health of these coming first-calf mothers. It’s what we do before our rainy season begins, that time of year when it might rain.

This photo was taken Monday, September 16th as the clouds rolled in, confirmation of our second weather change of August, based on a thirty-day cycle.

weather cycles

On Time, 1st Wagyu Calf 2019

Posted on September 17, 2019 by John | 1 comment

None of last month’s Wagyu preemies survived as the mystery lingers. This first Wagyu calf has arrived on time.

1 Comment

Posted in Photographs, Ranch Journal

Tagged Calves, photography, Wagyu X

Supreme Champion Heifer

Posted on September 14, 2019 by John | 1 comment

Imagine how surprised Robbin and I were when we got a phone call from Mike Rivas yesterday informing us that a heifer we raised was judged as the champion in the Commercial Bred Heifer Division. Frankly, we had forgotten all about her, one of two we sold last year after they were weaned to be entered in this year’s fair competition as bred heifers.

“Buttercup” didn’t make our cut for replacement heifers because she was a little younger than the rest. Our sincere congratulations go to Kyle “Mitchell” Davis who has been working with her since May 2018 and overcome any size constraints due to her age. She will sell at the fair this afternoon. Thanks Kyle.

1 Comment

Posted in Photographs, Ranch Journal

Tagged photography, Tulare County Cattle Drive Beef Boosters, Tulare County Fair

RECALLING ROBERT FROST

Posted on September 8, 2019 by John | Leave a comment

With evening G & Ts
we will stare
across the creek
at black hills,
white ash remains
cut by cowtrails—
pink phos-chek trim
between blond dry feed
until it rains
gray,
until it rains
green.

We map the burn,
watch the weather,
hope for ground soft-enough
to drive steel posts
for five barbed strands
of Red Brand

because good fences
make better neighbors
for a long time.

FIRE DESIGNS

Posted on September 5, 2019 by John | 2 comments

Ashes, white on black
slopes, drought-dead Blue Oaks, final
portraits of a fire.

2 Comments

Posted in Haiku 2019, Photographs, Poems 2019, Ranch Journal

Tagged "Creek Fire", photography, poetry

POWERLESS

Posted on September 3, 2019 by John | 3 comments

It’s black early yet,
few lanterns glowing
across the quiet canyon,

drought-killed Blue Oaks:
roots simmering
in the rock-hard ground.

The wind will turn
the burnt to gray
until the rains

bring a fresh green
start—nothing
we can change.

3 Comments

Posted in Photographs, Poems 2019, Ranch Journal

Tagged "Creek Fire", CalFire, photography, poetry

Creek Fire Mop-Up

Posted on September 3, 2019 by John | 1 comment

It could have been several thousand acres of fences and feed. Robbin, Bob and I thank the entire CalFire crew for their professionalism, the pilots for their impressive air support, the dozer operators cutting breaks and blading existing tracks in the dark for what seemed to be well-over a dozen 4×4 engines, the water tenders and the often-overlooked hand crews with boots that still remain on our otherwise inaccessible ground. It was impressive. Thank you all!