McKenzie Ranch
Box 614 Solopo Delisle, SK, Canada

A few repairs, a new floor, and a set of load bars; should be good for another 35 years

Cows have water, shelter and good fall grazing with about 15 inches of snow on the ground.They are happy as can be.

On this day in Montana history in 1886, an arctic storm brought heavy snow and freezing temperatures to Montana. It was the beginning of what was to become one ...of the worst winters in recorded history. "The Hard Winter of 1886-1887" killed thousands of cattle and brought an end to the open range period of Montana's history.Toward the end of that winter, Charles M. Russell painted this watercolor, "Waiting for a Chinook." The powerful image was published widely, launching Russell’s career as an artist. [Courtesy of the Montana Stockgrowers Association, Helena, Montana]

Possible new US Government and announcement of a Covid Vaccine , has really put a spark into all the markets. Chicago Mercantile Exchange traders feel there... will be a big demand for beef, if we can get the US economy back on its feet, and with the possibility of Biden going in as President (likely some new relief money) has also sparked the markets. Light runs due to weather will be the theme till later in the week for much of this area. The markets that did have sales today, I’d call the market steady to a touch stronger. With this weeks blizzard it will be CALF-JUMANJI next week, so the shear volume of calves coming to town may take the edge off the market. Every market will be filled to capacity next week! DEAD CALF MONTH is upon us... Drastic changes in temperatures, and calves are always a hard thing to juggle. A few days after a good storm usually reminds backgrounders why they like paying more for yearlings. SHORT-WEANED CALVES Designed by the Devil himself... If you’re going to wean your calves HOLD THEM for 8 weeks, and make sure they’re healthy and eating good before you ship them. If your calves were weaned in mid-October, you should be selling your calves in 2021. Fresh Calves right off the cow, end up at the feedlot a few days after weaning and get the standard induction vaccines, depending on the feedlot and likely an antibiotic as a precaution. These calves get to their new home and have that well this isn’t so bad feeling and if they do get sick on day 5-14 upon arrival, normally that antibiotic is enough to keep them feeling alright. Now, the short-weaned calves are already tired, and have a compromised immune system before they even reach the feedlot, and that simple antibiotic upon arrival usually isn’t enough to keep the calf healthy, in turn, those calves have to be pulled (brought out of their pen, and likely put in a treatment pen) and some become very ill and some just don’t make it. They will be coughing, stiff, runny nose, and likely a fever. These calves have that I don’t think I’m gonna eat today, and I’m gonna lay in the snow to cool off kinda vibe. This is a bad mix and a pen-checkers nightmare. Selling calves between 1 to 4 weeks after weaning should be a Criminal Offence. I have heard it all while marketing the last million calves, as an Auctioneer & now as an Order Buyer, some of my favourites include: I just weaned them long enough to take the bawl out of them. The cows have kicked them off. They sure weren’t sick when we loaded them. ALL BULLSHIT! You have worked all year to raise that calf, don’t do anything goofy the last month you own them to effect the price or the health of the calf. If you want to wean your calves, awesome, wean them and sell them in the new year. If not, sort them off the cows the day they go on the truck! I know a lot of folks reading this already know all of this, but, it doesn’t take a PHD to be in the cow business, so if I help one person from making these mistakes, I’ll take it as a win. There will be lots of cattle on the move next week so, Call you Local LMAC Auction Market and make a plan. If you did wean your calves TELL THEM, and make a plan for moving them in the new year!