The Ides of Calving Season

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Search. Find. Tag. Tattoo. Weigh. Repeat.

The 2015 calving season is upon us. While its been the strangest March, weather wise, I have been very appreciative of Mother Nature’s gentleness as we usher in spring. Many people do not realize that baby calves actually don’t mind the cold, it’s the combination of cold AND wet that can quickly become deadly for them. Selfishly, I pray for warm spring rains and a goodbye to the threat of winter, but as the prairie grasses continue to dry and the threats of fire move closer to closer, I realize that we will need to accept moisture in any form.

Our family has engaged in this tradition since 1878. Methods have changed some, but the goal is the same. We continue to strive to improve the breed, practice good animal husbandry, and do our part to help feed the world. It isn’t easy, but we wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Here is a snapshot of our view from home this calving season, the best view in the world!

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Leah Peterson

Leah Peterson is a native Nebraskan, living on the ranch her ancestors homesteaded in 1878. She and her husband Matt, met at the University of Nebraska Lincoln, and returned to the ranch in 2012 after working and living in Central Nebraska the past 12 years. They are parents to two daughters, Maggie and Lucy. Leah has an undergrad degree from UNL in Communication Studies, and a MA in Leadership from Bellevue University. Aside from her work at the ranch and opportunity to be a stay at home mom, she enjoys writing, photography, community involvement, spending time with friends and family and trying new recipes in her kitchen. Leah published her first children's book in 2011 titled "An Apple for Dapple" and enjoys traveling throughout the state to share her book with children and raise awareness about the importance Agriculture in Nebraska.

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