Learning How to Cow

[@unmikm]

Oh! The memories. My first calf when I learned to be mom was when I was about 10 years old. Her name was Pee Wee and we learned from each other. I learned how to take care of her and she taught me how to be a cow. We got in all kinds of trouble that first summer but I still have all the memories. Then she went out in the pasture to become a real cow and have calves of her own. I bottle fed others but she was my first. We did not have all the modern medicines you have today, but with help from the local vet and a little luck we managed not to lose many calves. We lost our ranch years ago thanks in part to my uncle getting old and my stint in the USMC. Thanks for providing me with a place to recall all the memories that have been locked away for so many years. I have been watching for a while now and occasionally my wife looks over and worries where all the tears are coming from. I try to explain but it is hard telling someone who has never experienced ranch/farm life.

[@TheCondor300]

So nice to see that you actually take care of your critters... makes me happy!

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much ! - Mike

[@brandeissports3436]

I’m so sorry for your loss. But very happy that you were able to save the calf.

[@dustinwilliams5517]

Y’all do a great job. Y’all are definitely my favorite KZbin channel

[@kriss7397]

I am jealous, you get to help a life , a calf but it’s a rewarding feeling to help something in need!! Good job!!

[@vetboy627]

That was a very interesting thing to learn about the twin cows.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you, and thanks for watching! - Mike

[@jonathansportel3606]

I believe they call it a free Martin. One of the reasons why lots of buyers choose to buy pregnant cows or pairs instead of heifers at auction.

[@Slaughterk360]

Life's all about that one thing . Mike buddy thanks for doing what you do !!

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much for watching! - Mike

[@mattmcnicholas3735]

Thank you so much for such awesome videos! I'm a 1st generation rancher in my family from FL and your videos have helped enormously! I've got a ton to learn only being 19 lol but honestly I think you've got the best ranching Chanel I've seen keep it up!!!

[@OurWyomingLife]

That is awesome, good job Matt. Thanks for watching - Mike

[@jfraz3570]

Sorry for your loss

[@themayflower1657]

This is an awesome show. Again, I am just a small business guy in a city. I even use to do some work in a grocery store. By watching this it gives me a little different look at my job.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much, glad you found us, and thanks for watching - Mike

[@nathanedman685]

Sorry for your loss😢😢😢

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much - Mike

[@Hellblazer302]

Wow, this is a surprisingly well made channel, great work! Subscribed!

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much. -Mike

[@masquitaful]

I love bottle babies. I always pull my calf off my milk cow and raise her by hand so she's gentle. Sometimes I find another one to raise too, so she will have company. I just love the process. I usually give them a scour pill about 2 weeks along, and then they have plenty of probiotics in their system.

[@OurWyomingLife]

That sounds wonderful. Thank you very much - Mike

[@jonfaulkenberry5795]

Great job. Enjoy your videos

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much, and thanks for watching- Mike

[@bradh.689]

GREAT video!!! I really enjoy watching these and learning how to cow!!

[@inadollard6672]

I am glad that I found your channel

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thanks Ina. We are very glad you found us! Thanks for watching -Mike

[@belalangnet]

Wow i like this channel.... I'm beef cattle farmer from Indonesia . I often taking care the motherless calf too , it's quite fun sometime couse the calf is behave like a dog. It followed you wherever you go

[@OurWyomingLife]

That they do, cute little things. Thanks - Mike

[@chadhazekamp6952]

great video. it's always hard to see certain cows go we spend so much time with them they become like family only people that have cows understand

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thanks Chad, its a weird situation you end up in when you care about a cow haha - Mike

[@larrybaber1645]

Nice job Mike

[@504CreoleCrystal]

I know nothing about cows...NOTHING AT ALL. With that said my daughter and I always joke about her 1st doggy, my grand-pup a little chihuahua mixed with Maltese that’s not quite 2 years old yet....he doesn’t dog. At all lol! He hates leashes, doesn’t like walks, he’s a tiny little 7-8lb thing so he’s an inside dog. Hearing you talking about them having to cow made me chuckle so much lol! I love your videos and I’m learning so much! ETA: I guess we should have tried to introduce him to other dogs. We don’t know anyone with dogs soooooo yeah lol

[@tortaboy]

Hi Mike, Sorry for your loss of #1.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you :) - Mike

[@bstevermer9293]

Your videos are so well done. Subscribed!!

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much, glad you found us and thanks for subscribing :) - Mike

[@dfishman76]

What’s the meds/vitamins we need to keep for the cows?

[@steveadams4009]

Always hated having a raise bottle calves, but it's part of raising cattle you can't just let them die. When we first started I had a day job and so my wife would go out and feed, I had it set up where all she had to do was just drive the truck down alongside a trough. She find a sick or injured calf or something she'd always told him up and bring back the house and put them in our detached garage. I never thought much about it she was always capable of taking care of it until I came home one night we worked overtime that day and I didn't get home and after midnight. But it was dark in the house and I didn't want to wake everybody up so I just came in the back door pulled the boots off and started walking across the floor all of a sudden kicking something laying in front of the woodstove fell busted my nose right on the side of the table. Well, of course, this woke everybody in the house up and came in turn on the lights I looked down and she had found a calf that was just about dead and it snowed about 2 feet that day so she brought that thing home put it on a blanket in front of the woodstove to try to warm it up. Looking back on it now is just funny as it can be but I didn't see the humor in it that night.

[@emmanueltrejo4226]

Wow awesome work

[@WildBillHabiki]

Good night Sweet Princess. Dude your vids are excellent and you live a crazy fulfilling life.

[@sumadre8379]

What are the advantages of using your small vehicle to survey your land rather than using like a pickup?

[@OurWyomingLife]

Funny you should comment that, my small vehicle, the gator, just died on me in the field. I had to call a neighbor to come pick me up and take me back home as I was about a mile out. Usually the gator is much better suited for running around the pasture. The ground pressure is much less than a pickup and it wont kill the grass, also the cows are used to it. Another advantage is that I am less likely to have a calf roll under the gator when I am trying to tag them, it has happened with the pickup. All those advantages are only advantages if the darn thing runs, which it isnt right now. Good question, thanks for watching. -Mike

[@frankirwin2377]

Small vehicle works some times, but with various creeks or lay of the land you can't access some areas where calves and cows hang out. With winter snow/runoff etc you wouldn't want to cut tracks in the grass anyway. Actually we weren't allowed to get off the road much. Therefore, using horses was more of what we use and keeping pickup just for the ranch road.

[@earlbelcher2615]

great info/you have the best voice on youtube.chears from TEXAS.

[@kcmackie77]

I Love your videos. I Love cows. I may have to show up and help you out at the ranch.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thats a long commute, on the plus side, Erin said she will feed you! - Mike

[@basilandbayleaves2392]

love this channel!

[@GrantTravels23]

You should bring the mother in with the calf. Maybe keep in a different pen. But sometimes they may reject the calf after you take it away. Just so you know. Plus on rare occasion, if the cow's utters get too sore, they might play Nany to your bottle calf or they try to kick em away but it's worth a minute or two putting the bottle calf in the same pen as the cow and seeing how she reacts when the calf goes to feed. Older cows like around 8 years old are more likely to let other calves steal some milk if they are without calf atm and like I said their utters get sore so they do it to release some pain. It's always worth bringing in the cows with calving issues cuz you never know who will take advantage of who. I've even seen cows take on and mother successfully both their calf and a previous bottle calf. They all have dfferent personalities though. Some wil say hell no and try to kick the calf away. But some older cows will say sure I'll look after it.

[@OurWyomingLife]

We go get the mom afterwards. Thanks -Mike

[@maeJoyBwithU-ux3fn]

this is so wo wonderFuLL! i currently have a #2 that isMy #1...

[@stenbak88]

Crazy to see the baby cows mom step on her twice and she was fine

[@bettykuykendall2083]

AWESOME BLOSSOMs🌻(on the work y'all do👽) Sorry to hear about #1

[@OurWyomingLife]

It was a shame and pretty hard on us all, funny how much they can mean to you. Thanks - Mike

[@haydenschmitt7926]

great video

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thanks for watching!! -Mike

[@highstandards6226]

As our children aleays learned...they DO have to go, but we give them the best life we can while they're here..💗🤷‍♀️ Ive even been accused of "spoiling' them. Especially those that are staying beyond the time of "weaning to finish" those that ARE staying, get a name and are accustomed to humans handling them keeps injuries(human) to a minimum..others, not so much..bottle fed calves get switched to a bucket(with a nipple) and milk is placed into *that* and one step further removed. If there arevtwo of the poor wee blighters they'll be penned together and both given a separate pail as they each reach that stage..if they're not able to foster or return to thier own mother

[@off-roadoutlawrepairs2910]

R.I.P. 001

[@OurWyomingLife]

Yeah that was sad. Sorry to see her go, she was a good cow. Thanks for watching - Mike

[@maddog2286]

bam o

[@ronnierivera3991]

Great video. I learned something today. Well none of may cows have ever had twins. So I didn't the reproductive fact that you stated about the 90% chance that heifer would not be able to get bred.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Its pretty rare, out of a couple hundred cows I will usually get a couple sets of twins and we know ahead of time usually due to preg checking. This year we wont have any, so that's one less thing to worry about, as nice as it is to have an extra calf, they are a lot of work . Thanks Ronnie and thanks for watching - Mike

[@Jim-rw2jo]

Losing any animal you've been around for years is tough. I wonder if 001 noticed how far you've come as a rancher since her birth. If she could talk I bet she would have some stories to tell!

[@OurWyomingLife]

hahah, thats very true and an interesting assessment. I often wonder what they think of me. I was there when she was born and I tagged her with number 1 right there. We had our ups and downs, I'm sure at times she hated me and I distinctly remember calling her a few bad names when she wouldn't do what I wanted her to. The most impressive thing to me came at the end, when she was in trouble and knew things were going south she came to me for help, that my friend, means more to me than anything. Thanks Jim. -Mike

[@Jim-rw2jo]

haha, sounds like I was right! 001's final moments are a testament to the care and work you all put into these cow's lives every day. keep up the good work both on the ranch and on the channel.

[@moonwise8531]

Hi Mike we would call Cup Cake a free Martin as children we got to keep them to sell as our own money going in to our post office account. I'm enjoying seeing how things work over there. What breed do you have Angus? Some of your cattle look as if the might have a bit of dairy in them as we'll. We breed limousin base cattle were Welsh Black but after 30 plus years we have bred them to work on our fell farm being grass fed and hardy with plenty of milk. We calf two herds spring & autumn .We also run a flock of 500 sheep lambing from the 5th of April. Jacquie. P.s our oldest cow just calved a bull calf at 19.

[@OurWyomingLife]

We have black and red angus, there is some hereford mix as well. Thank you for sharing - Mike

[@husseinhussein9971]

I like his accent.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much - Mike

[@alandavis7736]

Are these cows crossed whit Holstein cow , never see udders this huge .Appreciate your attitude .

[@OurWyomingLife]

There are a couple out here who I think may have some holstein in them, keep in mind that I didnt create the herd and we inherited a lot of it. There are some big bags out here. Most of the big bangs came from a group of heifers that Gilbert bought when he was still around. Also they were kept on one of the other ranches we used to have, when I asked him about the big bags. He said it was because the guy that he had working that ranch for him used to milk them, so honestly I have no idea. I do know that the bigs bags are a pain for calves and for me. Thanks Alan - Mike

[@jrivas6]

We always sterilize the calf bottles and nipples...etc., but how old until we don't have to sterilize anymore and can just wash as normal in your opinion? I think I sterilize for too long, no that it hurts though. Also, how long do you need to wash them in place in the mom? I always stopped when I saw them lift their own tail.

[@brentfarrow8125]

Like you said sometimes things just go right other times they don't, what was your profession before returning to the farm. Your public speaker skills are very honed

[@OurWyomingLife]

Hey Brent, thanks for watching. I was a radio DJ then radio executive for years before coming to the ranch. You can check out our story here kzbin.info/www/bejne/aWO1YYWDepKHlas Thanks again -Mike

[@younggunfarmer416]

can give a little infomation on the calf warmer.

[@OurWyomingLife]

+younggunfarmer416 sure thing. You caught me walking right by it in the barn. It's made by Koenders. Its basically a shell with a grate floor in it to let waste flow down. It has a small electric 1500watt heater that you can adjust the temp on. I usually run it on full, keeping the temp at about 100 - 105 F. I hope that helps. Any other questions feel free to ask and thanks for watching. -Mike

[@BlaBla-pf8mf]

Do you buy from the store the milk for your family?

[@OurWyomingLife]

Yes we do, we dont have a milk cow, although Erin would really like one. The biggest problem with a milk cow is that they really tie you down to the ranch, even more than we are now. They need milked twice a day and someone has to do it. If you dont, I think they explode...just kidding but they are labor intensive. -Mike

[@jwhope5207]

Hi i was wandering if the silky ness look of a cow gives it more value

[@OurWyomingLife]

Not with Angus breeds usually, I think you see that more in show cattle. Thanks - Mike

[@rebeccasuzannerustigian1257]

How much room does a laying need at night on the roost?

[@OurWyomingLife]

Our nesting boxes are 18" square. I find that one nesting box for every three hens works great. Thanks for watching - Mike

[@johndavis3584]

We have a cow on our farm just like her. She's 85 % blind and 14 years old

[@carloscervantes536]

What have you done when one of your cows has mastitis and the calve isn't looking to good?

[@OurWyomingLife]

Usually we end up pulling the calf off and feeding the calf ourselves. We have had to use a small blunt needle to clean the ducts and then treat to reduce infection. Thanks Carlos - Mike

[@carloscervantes536]

Our Wyoming Life Thank you.

[@giannab7807]

How much land is that

[@brianjonker510]

When you return a calf you had to Doctor up, do you have any problems with the mom accepting her calf back?

[@OurWyomingLife]

Good question! The short answer is sometimes. It really depends on how quickly after birth you take it away and how long they are separated. Lots of times we will try to get a mom in as well and get them together in the corral while the calf recovers. A calf that has already bonded with its mom is less of a hassle. Thanks for watching -Mike

[@tressiehulen1780]

Was the ranch in your our your wife's family . How long have u been on the ranch my husband has been on a farm or ranch almost all of his working life we would like to buy or on ranch - farm do u have any imfo on what's the best way to get started we would love to move out in our area it's been our dream since we can remember thanks and love the channel

[@OurWyomingLife]

Yes the ranch was in Erins family. It was her stepdads before he passed away. If you watch an episode called Our Story you can get the whole back story. We were quite lucky. Keep trying to reach your dream, it takes alot of work and some luck but you can do it. Thanks for watching! - Mike

[@tortaboy]

You really should be authentic in cleaning the calf. LOL

[@OurWyomingLife]

ewww....you are more than welcome to try that out! lol -Mike

[@bentleymarie5684]

What part of Wyoming are you from?

[@aCycloneSteve]

I've heard that some cow/calf operators have one dairy cow on the ranch that is trained to be a wet nurse. If they have a cow go down, a heifer that won't take it's calf or if they see a good deal on someone else's bottle calf for sale they have the wet cow take care of them. I've read that a wet cow can feed 2-4 calves. (It's own, plus 1 to 3) With 160 cows have you ever considered it?

[@OurWyomingLife]

We have and its on the list. Erin wants a milk cow do some things with at farmers market as well. We have a neighbor that has a milk cow that will occasionally buy a bottle calf from us as well. Great idea. Thanks - Mike

[@titicaca315]

srsly with this sometimes you dont even need a cow, i took a bottle baby from a friend and gave her bottle with half milk replacer and half goats milk and put her in with my nanny goat who is basically mother to all things, did well after 2months started weaning her and gave her back to my friend, told her the same thing she needed a milk cow with same personality as my nanny goat extremely helpful at times

[@Treemayn]

01 was the cute god bless ;(

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much and thanks for watching - Mike

[@josephmoore3155]

What videos would you recommend or books to read on starting a ranch. As being a young man whose family has never been farmimg

[@OurWyomingLife]

This is going to sound odd, but the book that helped me the most when I came to the ranch was Beef Cattle for Dummies Heres a link a.co/3xSTZIo Thank you very much - Mike

[@josephmoore3155]

Our Wyoming Life thank you very much

[@jouniruuska434]

R.I.P number 1..its sad but its one part of ranch life..

[@OurWyomingLife]

It is, thank you very much - Mike

[@jouniruuska434]

Our Wyoming Life ..im not a mike.im jouni..from Finland..these videos remenber in in my youth in farm..

[@OurWyomingLife]

I'm a Mike lol

[@jouniruuska434]

Our Wyoming Life ou shit my mistake 😃.you have have broblem about freasing water in winter time..well all what i know running water dont freass..😉 butt 12v boat pump and battey..

[@OurWyomingLife]

haha, its ok. Thats a good idea. I tried it briefly and I am going to have to find a better way. The cows pulled it out :) - Mike

[@mojofraser7126]

When do you stop bottle feeding a calf?

[@OurWyomingLife]

Most beef cattle can be weaned in about 2 months. Thanks - Mike

[@mojofraser7126]

Sweet

[@barrybeggs8543]

great video. I like animals so much, Icould never raise beef I would have to be a grain farmer.. Wisconsin Bear

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you, it can be hard. Thanks for watching - Mike

[@johnhatt1219]

How did no1 pass away just curious

[@OurWyomingLife]

Her calf aborted and she got an infection from it, we didnt know about it until it was too late. Thanks for watching John - Mike

[@kathybeck9380]

Just a hint I discovered a few years ago. A little puppy shampoo in a bucket of warm water cleans a calves rear end slicker than snot. Plain water would take quite a bit of scrubbing.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Awesome, thank you very much Kathy - Mike

[@alfredollamas576]

how many have your cows calved? how many cows do you have?

[@OurWyomingLife]

We have about 160 cows to calve and about 60 have calved so far. Not even half way! Thanks for watching. -Mike

[@kimhiggins4241]

I like what you do and I like your pants how you've made them I have something similar like you but it ain't like that I wish I could come and see see how you built your piens and thank you for sending all the photos that you do and let me watch them thank you bye bye

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much - Mike

[@rebeccasuzannerustigian1257]

Please let me re-phrase my question: if I buy 25 laying hens how many linear feet of wooden rods do I need for nighttime roosting ?

[@OurWyomingLife]

Gotcha. The general rule is 8 inches per chicken. 10 for larger breeds

[@samanthaflynn6140]

Whoah didn't know that about twins

[@rgs4x]

Mike, are you required by law to vaccinate your cows? If not, do you? Is your beef considered organic. Thanks and really enjoy the videos.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much, we are not required to vaccinate our cows. They get a pour on twice a year to control lice and mites. They also get a single vaccine ( Virashield6+vl5) at preg checking (when we check to see who's pregnant or not). Virashield protects against a number of bovine diseases. We are not considered organic. Thanks again. -Mike

[@kensampson604]

Didn't seem like we were farming very long until one morning Blackie didn't come in. We found her dead in the pasture from old age. Sorry about # 1

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you Ken - Mike

[@HK-gw2ew]

Damn that momma cow messed that calfs leg up

[@obamaNFTS]

How did your very first cow die?

[@OurWyomingLife]

Her calf died in utero and it caused a ruptured uterus. Infection and toxicity quickly followed. It all happened very fast. It was a very strange experience. Nothing that has ever happened to us in our ranching career so far.Thanks for watching. -Mike

[@obamaNFTS]

I'm so sorry for your loss :(

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you.

[@rickwade5342]

After number 1 died, did you just bury her on the ranch or did she have any value that a processor would purchase her from you?

[@shammydammy2610]

So, Cupcake is a freemartin? That sucks.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Yes she is, it happens. - Mike

[@ronpollockdrywall]

My question is on the twins born. I think you rescued cupcake..how did you know who the mother was? I never heard that before about twins and problems. My dad always told me on sheep you keep the twins because they will produce twins. Great video.. I am from Wyoming.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Hi Ronald. I just had to use my best guess. There were two calves pretty close together and no other cows around. I think she had the first calf, cupcake, then had the second and got confused and just bonded with the second calf. The male- female thing is crazy and might not be the same with sheep (I'm not much of a sheep guy) but I do know that sheep have alot of twins. Thanks for watching - Mike

[@shammydammy2610]

It's not usually the same with sheep, it happens, but it's rare: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freemartin

[@tortaboy]

I always thought learning to be a cow consisted of standing in one area and eating all day long. Guess the cows I see are the laaazy breed.

[@OurWyomingLife]

haha. Actually when I saw she needs to learn to be a cow I mean she needs to not be so friendly with people. Or else we end up with a Bambi. - Mike

[@johnhatt1219]

Sorry about that I just wanted to know I know that feeling all to well

[@chanlersimmons4138]

Wouldn't milking a cow be better than the milk replacer because neither came from the mother so what's the difference.

[@karenbartlett1307]

Here is some info which could help with wolf problems: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3nafWOmgrOSsJI Also, you seem very kind and obviously like your animals. I appreciate that.

[@m4bolicious]

As soon as the tax return hits ima go get ma self a baby cow!

[@OurWyomingLife]

Awesome, thanks for watching - Mike

[@davidmiddlebrooks929]

Learned something else from ya. Would you please quit? You might damage my fragile ego! Adios #1 and great save on the downed calf. Later!

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you! - Mike

[@jvjustvibes9103]

F in the chat for 001

[@bryancotton5811]

I would like to know how to get a grant to build me a high tunnel

[@OurWyomingLife]

Check with your local NRCS office, they manage the grants. Thanks Bryan - Mike

[@haydenschmitt7926]

do you have snakes

[@OurWyomingLife]

Yes we do. Rattlesnakes, bull snakes and garter snakes are the most common. Erin hates them all! -Mike

[@ossa60]

try not to scare the cows with their calves when you appoach them on your vehicle. They get scared easily

[@larrybarber]

Mike, I would not keep cows over nine years old. Just an idea.

[@KCandFriendsUSA]

I assume that cow was later loaded on a bound for death truck

[@OurWyomingLife]

Or sold to another rancher that wants to deal with her. Thanks for watching - Mike

[@KCandFriendsUSA]

Where she go, The Murderer’s?

[@johnhatt1219]

That's cheating on mixing milk replacer

[@OurWyomingLife]

It actually is, but it saves a ton of time. Thanks - Mike