solving water problems

The lack of wind to pump water for cattle this past summer helped make the decision to install solar power to submersible pumps as a more reliable power source in sunny western Nebraska.  This will hopefully bring more warm underground water into the tanks to reduce freezing of tanks this winter, which will allow the cattle to stay in the pastures that did not get utilized in the summer.  A problem developed after installation with the pump delivering too much water causing the well to pump dry.  Therefore we will drop off one solar panal so the pump won't pump quite so much.  Watch the blog for further developments.

health problems

The first group of calves to leave the ranch 6 weeks ago are now doing fine, eating well and playing because of their contentment of being fed well and water always handy.  However the second group just weaned 10 days ago are having serious respiratory disease problems, already 30 of the 177 have been medicated and 4 have died.  Hopefully the crisis is nearly over and the group will move forward.  This picture shows 2 sick ones in the foreground and 2 dead ones further away.  On the other side of the fence is the 158 head in group 1 happily crowding the bunk eating away.