greybeard
Well-known member
I used to enjoy sitting on a tractor or 4 wheeler and just watch those egrets work. They are magic. Back in the day, when ticks were really bad, I've seen 'em riding on lots of cows' backs just going to town on insects.
Hello from Deep East Texas
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Seen a lot of the egrets around here, too. Yesterday, Mom and I were sitting outside watching them flying around and they seemed to be taking "evasive maneuvers". Then, saw a bald eagle trying to catch himself an egret for dinner…he was unsuccessful while we were watching.
The rains have really put the grass on steroids. Hopefully when this bit of weather passes, we'll be able to get another good cutting. Will probably send the 11 calves and one old cow to the sale barn within the next few weeks.
Job still going great. Actually detailed a big nice tractor with a cab yesterday. I was told that the guy is a valued customer and to clean it up inside and out. The delivery driver came back in late yesterday and he said the guy mistook his tractor for a brand new one. This morning they call me to the shop office and the guy hands me $35…as a tip, I guess. That 's 2 firsts for me… never did a detail job on a tractor and never been given a tip (never worked one of those kinds of jobs)…lol. Excellent post retirement employment…unless someone needs me for something, I pretty much have full autonomy working the equipment yard - no micromanagers…everybody there is pretty cool to work with…everybody respects everybody else's work and anybody is willing to pitch in on anything should the need arise…was told by one of the higher ups today that the "yard" is being kept better than it has been in a long time. Regular delivery drivers like to see me coming because I try to be careful unloading - no damage to equipment and no damage to their trucks. Like the guy said in the movie, "Slow is smooth and smooth is fast." Nice to look forward to going to work.
The rains have really put the grass on steroids. Hopefully when this bit of weather passes, we'll be able to get another good cutting. Will probably send the 11 calves and one old cow to the sale barn within the next few weeks.
Job still going great. Actually detailed a big nice tractor with a cab yesterday. I was told that the guy is a valued customer and to clean it up inside and out. The delivery driver came back in late yesterday and he said the guy mistook his tractor for a brand new one. This morning they call me to the shop office and the guy hands me $35…as a tip, I guess. That 's 2 firsts for me… never did a detail job on a tractor and never been given a tip (never worked one of those kinds of jobs)…lol. Excellent post retirement employment…unless someone needs me for something, I pretty much have full autonomy working the equipment yard - no micromanagers…everybody there is pretty cool to work with…everybody respects everybody else's work and anybody is willing to pitch in on anything should the need arise…was told by one of the higher ups today that the "yard" is being kept better than it has been in a long time. Regular delivery drivers like to see me coming because I try to be careful unloading - no damage to equipment and no damage to their trucks. Like the guy said in the movie, "Slow is smooth and smooth is fast." Nice to look forward to going to work.
Chevroid
Member
Like y'all I thoroughly enjoy watching the Egrets do their work. I was out mowing a little today & of course they just chase me in circles.
Interesting about you detailing a tractor. I've got a tractor in for service at the John Deere here in Lufkin. I'll see if it gets cleaned out, but it wasn't too bad to begin with.
I train a lot of the younger ones at work & always tell them that they should roll out of bed looking forward to going to work….well 90% of the time at least. After 35 yrs, I'm getting less inclined…..starting to look forward to retirement myself.
Interesting about you detailing a tractor. I've got a tractor in for service at the John Deere here in Lufkin. I'll see if it gets cleaned out, but it wasn't too bad to begin with.
I train a lot of the younger ones at work & always tell them that they should roll out of bed looking forward to going to work….well 90% of the time at least. After 35 yrs, I'm getting less inclined…..starting to look forward to retirement myself.
Chevroid
Member
Project of the day
I have a creek that bisects a pasture & the floods earlier this year took out the electric fencing. Finally got the fencing put back in today so I can use this pasture. The creek actually gets almost 5' deep, thus I couldn't go straight across without the waders filling with water. Will see how long this fence lasts as we seem to get a flood each year.
Anybody else have good ideas on better fencing across creeks? Pictures help.
I have a creek that bisects a pasture & the floods earlier this year took out the electric fencing. Finally got the fencing put back in today so I can use this pasture. The creek actually gets almost 5' deep, thus I couldn't go straight across without the waders filling with water. Will see how long this fence lasts as we seem to get a flood each year.
Anybody else have good ideas on better fencing across creeks? Pictures help.
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EasTex
Well-known member
I don't have any pics, but I have hung cattle panels across the water gaps on my place. Cut them to the size I need. Does ok on letting leaves and stuff flow through, but I did have to clean them off some after all of the rain we had earlier this year.
Jeanne - Simme Valley
Well-known member
Yes, I was going to say use heavy cable HIGH and have cable or wire straps hanging down.
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We don't do it for every customer…this customer specifically asked for it. We do give a good washing to trade-in equipment…some equipment brought in for service may get washed to allow the techs to get a better look at it…otherwise, it is either requested by the customer or one of the salesmen. Once in a while a tech will ask for a piece of equipment to get a basic wash down when they finish with it. However, this is the first one I was told to clean thoroughly inside and out by the service manager (my immediate supervisor). Often when new equipment is sold, the salesmen will ask to have any dust rinsed off that may have accumulated from being stored outside…but that's usually just an exterior wash down.
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Chevroid
Member
Sounds like pretty good customer service. I actually cleaned the insides a couple months ago & Armoured All it…….which only happens every few years. But I also washed the exterior as I figured to make it a little easier on the mechanics (I know I personally hate working on dirty equipment).
Nothing majorly wrong with the tractor, mechanically still in good shape but needed the air cushioned seat & hand throttle fixed, and since I needed to take it in, I had them service it.
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Some of the coastal bermuda in the hay pastures is close to the top of my thigh. Hopefully, we can get it all cut and baled in the next couple of weeks or so. Forecast shows no rain for the next 15 days but somewhat cooler temps.
Took the girls some cubes today and all 33 cows were present and accounted for…looking fat and healthy…no sign of a limp on the bull…he's back to acting like his old self. Will get them up for fall worming sometime in early October…at the same time, the 11 born this spring and next one old cow will take the ride to the sale barn…here's hoping the prices will be good.
Took the girls some cubes today and all 33 cows were present and accounted for…looking fat and healthy…no sign of a limp on the bull…he's back to acting like his old self. Will get them up for fall worming sometime in early October…at the same time, the 11 born this spring and next one old cow will take the ride to the sale barn…here's hoping the prices will be good.
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Woo-hoo! Hay cut today…it will be interesting to see how many bales it makes…the hay guy said the pastures look better than they have in a long time.
Job still going well…nice to look forward to going to work. Guy in the mower shop actually carved out a little space for me in one of the corners…nice guy.
Temps, especially before noon are very nice…good to be out in it.
Job still going well…nice to look forward to going to work. Guy in the mower shop actually carved out a little space for me in one of the corners…nice guy.
Temps, especially before noon are very nice…good to be out in it.
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Incidentally, has anyone used "Impose" on crabgrass in your hay pastures? Did it work well? If not, what works best on crabgrass in a hay pasture? Any input will be greatly appreciated.
Have also heard of a herbicide called "Tenacity" for crabgrass…haven't researched it yet. And another called "Panoramic 2SL"…thoughts?
Have also heard of a herbicide called "Tenacity" for crabgrass…haven't researched it yet. And another called "Panoramic 2SL"…thoughts?
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Preliminary plans for a new barn next year underway…another long overdue infrastructure project and the last really big one…other than brush clearing along fences and a few other areas…of course, the brush clearing seems to be any day that ends in "Y" for me. Local VFD ready to burn rehab pasture as soon as the grass goes dormant…hopefully it will knock back some of the bluestem that's showing up over there.
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Yesterday, started using some scrap 1-1/2" square tubing to build cages over valve boxes on the new waterline that was installed earlier this year - don't need a cow stepping through those plastic covers. A little out of practice with the old stick welder but making progress. I'll post a pic or two when finished.
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Wound up with 57 bales (5'x6') of good, clean coastal bermuda…that gives us 132 bales on hand…the girls will eat good this winter. Hay man called it "$100 hay"…probably would have had more if not for the early July invasion of army worms…got on them pretty quick but not before they did a little damage…grass recovered fairly well with the July-August rains…I would say this is a good result…excellent quality hay…
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Moved the 75 bales from the first cutting and have 42 from the second cutting in the hay barn…will put the other fifteen in there tomorrow afternoon along with 13 from the first cutting (I can only fit 70 in there)…taking a day off Tuesday to take mom to see tax lady, then talk to contractor about cost for a new barn next year…will also worm cows and send 11 calves from this past spring to sale barn…building a new barn should be the last really big infrastructure project…we've come a long way but there is still a good bit to do…trying to keep it in a nine line bind…gotta keep on keepin' on…
kenny thomas
Well-known member
Just gotta:
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It finally happened…was feeding some cubes this evening and the bull, in his eagerness to get his fair share, bumped me in the butt with his big meathead…went flying landed and turned a complete flip…didn't drop the feed bag or spill any feed…pretty good for an old man…a classic stuntman drop and roll…nothing bruised but my pride…lol
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All 11 calves from this past spring are on their way to sale barn along with one white cow whose best days are behind her. Hated to let her go but she just wasn't keeping up any more…age takes its toll. Kept 20 good cows and the bull - all got pour on wormer instead of injectable due to the flies. Gave them a couple of bags of cubes afterwards to show them that there are no hard feelings. They were relatively easy to handle…whole operation was finished in about 30 minutes. Let them in on one of the hay pastures to let them clean up what the baler didn't get. Nice to see them right behind the house. They are all looking good and sleek. The guy who helped me said these are the best looking calves (probably in the 600-700 pound range) he's seen since he started helping us out here…and they did look very good…should have snapped a pic but neglected to do so…my bad.
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1982vett
Well-known member
Picked up a few myself. Plan to send some more in December. Would usually wait till January as I don't necessarily like selling in December, but I'm pulling income forward this year.
