May Calf Branding, Bassett, Nebraska

My father-in-law took me to a calf branding on 3 ranches near Bassett, Nebraska. This is the true definition of a co-op. More than 30 folks arrive to help out with no pay other than lunch and some cold suds after the work is done. They rotate through all the local ranches during calving season so that all the work gets done. In fewer than 3 hours, more than 180 calves had been sorted, branded, medicated and castrated on 3 separate ranches. Its truly amazing how fast all this work gets done. The threat of oncoming rain certainly helped motivate folks as well.

While holding the back leg of a calf and getting ready to turn him out back into the pasture, I loosened my grip. He reminded me that even though they're small, they have a heck of a kick. My lip is almost back down to normal size.

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The modern urban cowboy. My inspiration for this photo came roughly from this Gary Larson "The Far Side" comic: