The Freedom of the Ranch
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- čas přidán 6. 08. 2024
- In this episode of Our Wyoming Life - Not every day can be exciting and some days on the ranch are just routine, but even the routine can be rewarding.
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Join us on our journey as we leave a life in corporate america to come back to Wyoming and help on the family ranch.
Our Wyoming Life features our Wyoming ranch and our ranch family. Giving you a look into the workings of ranching from raising cattle to raising and harvesting crops. Erin will join you weekly out of the garden, showing you how she helps provide for our family through growing produce and selling at local farmers markets, and Mike will take you along as he tends to the animals and land of ranch, from calving to fencing to planting and harvesting hay.
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Please watch: "Calving and Technology on the Ranch"
• Calving and Technology...
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Good morning and thanks to everyone for watching. This week was mostly a clean up week, moving stuff around and getting the place ready for our farm to table dinner coming up on the 27th. I wanted to give you a closer look into what the everyday is like and how the ranch has affected me and our family in the last 10 years, I hope you enjoy. I'm off to try to catch a skunk that sprayed our dog last night, wish me luck! Thanks again and enjoy.
I think that opening was the first and only time I've ever seen you sit down! Never a dull moment in your life! I am binging through your heartwarming, educational, and entertaining videos!
The radio career explains a lot. I always thought you had great sound quality and production value. Your experience shows through. Nice job
Thank you very much, we really take pride in what we do, I'm always proud when people take notice. Thanks - Mike
I discovered at 53yrs old I missed my calling!
The hardest, most demanding yet most satisfying work I've ever done was on a " semi " retired horse ranch in Colorado.
Mucking stalls, feeding, turn out / in, HAY work ( who knew so much work went into that one 70lb bale of dry grass).
Long hours, hard work, sore muscles but HAPPY to get up next morning and do it again!
Very rewarding
Extremely humbling
And I miss it !
" Kicks are for Trids "!
Great video, you are one lucky man and family. I left the farm 40 years ago and am sorry I did. Funny how many of us leave to look for greener grass when all we had to do was look down. Thanks for sharing your story with us.
Thanks Marvin, I can totally understand that, I've been there. Thanks for watching -Mike
Thanks Marvin, I think we all have been there, I know I have. Thanks for watching! -Mike
❤❤❤
I love being on the horse all day with the cows and camping with the cows and I love it I miss it so much.
"I'd keep on ranching 'till the money was gone". Priceless!
The openess of Wyoming's landscape is something I've always appreciated. While boring to some, its relaxing for me to be in Gods country and see many parts of still untouched by the influence of man.
William Dunn I grew up east of Cheyenne, out on the prairie. People make alot of comments about how ugly the prairie is. All they need to do is get out of their car, and take a nice long walk through the middle of it. It's very beautiful, and lots to look at, smell, hear and experience. Special place the prairie is!!
Agreed. Problem is most folks these days don't have the patience or respect to appreciate any of it.
I couldn't agree more, theres nothing like just being able to sit in a field, knowing you are miles from another soul and take it all in for yourself. Thanks for watching! -Mike
If I won the lotto my wife knows we would still be in debt because I would buy a big spread and stock it with the best cows. I'm as broke as I've ever been and as happy as I could ever be.
AMEN! Someone should print that on a billboard! -Mike
Hey Guys My dad told me many years ago that you will never make a better investment than owning property When he passed my mother never had to work a day in her life and still lived in the house they had bought so many years before. We sold a couple of other properties to finance her life but she never wanted for anything. While I was growing up and most of their life we never had alot of money no new cars no expensive vacations had a 2 acre garden that we tilled and planted and harvested to give us alot of our food and a great number of very pretty flowers for the house so you will never ever go wrong doing what you do as long as you possibly can and then hopefully pass it on to the children if they want it Sadly alot of farms up here are being sold cause the kids dont want to put in the effort required All the best to YOU guys
I think this is one of your more informative, and enjoyable videos! Love the "can do" attitude, and lovely kids!
Thank you very much :) - Mike
I just left the suburbs for a small farm in rural Ohio. After spending the 80's in the military, and 30 years in commercial art and academics. Let's see how this thing works out.
It's so refreshing and inspiring to hear stuff like this from other independently employed people. Good on you Mike and Erin. I work as a skilled labor contractor andnit gives me all the freedom in the world and all the opportunity to do whatever I want whenever I want and I get to do a bunch of cool stuff for work. So it's always refreshing to hear from another guy like us. God bless
Thank you Brian and thank you for watching - Mike
Good Morning,it was a great video where you told us of your past before the ranch. Who in your past influenced your passion for the ranch life. Your love for all animals is something that you can’t learn it’s in your soul. The only way a farmer can survive today is to be diversified and wear many different hats. Never get to big where you can’t have time for the family,the children grow up to quickly but while they are it’s free labor.
My passion for the ranch life comes from one conversation I had with a dying old man. The morning he died, I was sitting next to him in his hospital bed. We all knew the end was near and although he could no longer speak, as I held his hand he would give me squeezes to let me know he was listening. I told him that I would do everything I could to make sure the ranch continued on, for our kids and their kids after them. I told him that I wouldn't let him down and he squeeze my hand tight for minutes. That old man was my father in law Gilbert, who owned the ranch. Erin and I came back to help him on the ranch and when he passed he left the ranch to Erin's mom.
I think that the love for all the animals and the passion for ranch life just grew after that day.
Hats I wear plenty, but they all serve the same purpose, to preserve the ranch.
I hope my answer wasn't too morose but for me its the absolute truth. Thanks Brent and thanks for watching- Mike
Cute girls. I hope they grow up helping mom and dad.❤❤
Mike, I have subscribed to a few farming and ranching pages like yours. I know virtually nothing about what farm or ranch life is like. (I was born and raised in Noo York City, (Manhattan Island) for 30-some years (hated it) and have lived for over 30 years in suburban Pennsylvania.) I am an historian who has studied everything imaginable about the Western expansion of the nation and have become totally fascinated with the Western “ethic” and just about everything to do with the west and its people. I have gained a tremendous respect and appreciation for what farmers and ranchers do for ALL of us and have a deep, deep respect for the moral and civic ethic that I see as such a major part of the life of you guys and your families. I do have one question that has me wondering… -I read a couple of books about the cowboy code and the various variations of it. This “code”, while I do realize that there is a lot of romantic stuff tied up in it, IS, I believe, something very good and inspiring for just about anybody to imitate in their lives. My question is: Is the cowboy code still considered “real” out west, or has modern life diminished it? (Just curious as this is a part of my studies about the west today…) Thanks! Regards, Ron -P.S. I like your you-tube videos very much because you explain a lot of what you do and this is immensely important to somebody like me. Your channel is, I believe, one of the best I have seen!
Thanks Ronald that means a lot to us and we appreciate it very much. The cowboy code means a lot of different things to a lot of people. We have a video out there where we talk about the rules of the ranch
( czcams.com/video/_eWYN_PYlOM/video.html ) I think it starts about 6 minutes in.
My dad, who was a real cowboy, reminded me often growing up of Gene Autry's cowboy code and the life lessons taught by the cowboys of his generation the-wanderling.com/cowboy.html
I think the code is still real in everybody... people know the difference between right and wrong, people know you should help other people and all that. Everything that everyone has ever said in the code comes back to just being a good person and I still think people are inherently good. I do think that modern life has given some people the excuse and the anonymity to not face their actions, if that makes sense.
I hope that helps, Thanks again and thanks for watching -Mike
AWESOME BLOSSOMS🌻
Yeah, I do all my own tricks too. I totally reworked my push mower by watching videos here on YT. I paint, do plumbing, electrical work scares me a little but I do it anyway with the breaker turned off. I can climb ladders to work on the house, trim trees with a chain saw on a stick, etc. I am 68. Been a little slow lately since I tried flying when I kicked at my 2 cats who were fighting on the stairs and flew down to the floor in an landed on my knees. Ouchie, But I still move forward cause there is NO moving backwards.!!
Very good! watch out for those cats. Thanks Betty - MIke
You do have that "radio voice"...I hear ya on freedom of your job..I'm in retail hell...lol
If you go back and watch our new to the ranch playlist you can get our back story. We both came here from a career in radio. Thanks for watching - Mike
That explains why you narrative is so fantastic! Radio background!
Mike on the ranch for those big gates we have installed wheels at the end. Once the gate can rest on the wheel it doesn't put so much stress on the hinges in the big post.
I have some of those for some corral gates where they are on even ground, I have seen some that even have a suspension system that might work better for gates in the field. Thanks for reminding me of them Frank. :) -Mike
I sure do love watching the episodes
Also, congrats on your 2 year old.🎉🎉🎉
Our shop was always active repairing items. Fortuntionly the welder helped a lot as a blacksmith corner. But, your right repair is the priority. Sometimes neighbors asked for help as well because that is what we do.
Neighbors help each other out, thankfully. I've been in a lot of sticky situations where a neighbors help has made the difference. Thanks for watching! -Mike
Old stuff re-surfacing, yay! Never seen this before.
I must admit, I admire your belt buckle!
I like it also, I have had it for a few years. It was handmade by a guy in Montana ironically enough. I have tried getting in contact with him but I cant reach him, not sure what happened. Thanks John - Mike
I’m watching the latest vid, n said woah!!!! These peeps are very cool, so I’m starting at the beginning n learning how y’all grew into this beautiful life, I have lots to watch so bingeing is happening while your kicking ass, lol I love the life y’all made n live, I’ll say hay, cuz your cows love it n that’s my greeting, ttys soo good!!!!! Professional n personable WOW 🤩
You tell when a man is happiest...he's in the backyard playing with his kids.
I have been watching for just a little while now. Really good videos. Learning things, I never really thought about before:
Just found this channel. Love it. I grew up on a farm as a kid in Indiana. Left for the military and never went back. I do miss it. Viewing from Southwest Florida.
I want to be a rancher someday and hopefully soon. Thank you for your videos, they help explain the ups and downs of ranching and yet I want to do this more than ever! I’ve been dirt-poor broke many many times, it was the satisfaction from a hard days work that got me through the tough times. I’m a handyman and have more freedom than at any other type of job but the big idea I like about ranching is work is at home and you have the freedom to do what you want there.
Love the format
Thank you for your videos. It sure helps me to learn and look forward to my dreams hope one day comes true
Hi Mike,
I like this concept a lot. Instead of throwing the items in trash, Fix it.
I was really amazed to hear that, since it’s similar to ranching life in India.
We always fix and reuse the items.
There is no concept of trash in farming. All goes into the ranch ecosystem.
We have to follow this to lead a sustainable life.
Continue your videos and farming. I am gonna share with all my friends. You are doing a great job.
Thank you very much, we always look at it as if you are throwing something away you are throwing away money, you are right. No such thing as trash. Thank you for watching :) - Mike
The good life Sr .
Thank you very much - Mike
This is a nice heartfelt video Mike.
Thank you -Mike
Thank you for your service in the military! I enjoy the great videos from Ohio, looking forward to the spring videos.
So very jealous of your life style continue on !!!
If you added a bed and breakfast to the ranch, my wife and I would be happy to be your first guest. Even help out with work on the ranch.
We have thought about it, maybe somewhere down the road, lots of infrastructure to build to be able to do that. Thanks Travis, we will for sure let you know when we are able to do it. Thanks - Mike
I love the dirt. 😥
Good stuff. Thanks for watching -Mike
No where else than Our Wyoming Life
Thanks John - Mike
i knew with that voice you had to have been in radio. and thanks for serving. Old retired 11m30 here.
Thank you very much. And thank you as well. Refresh my memory. Artillery? -Mike
11B is basic grunt (infantry) 11m is the M means mechanized (Bradley`s. BFV). where lucky get to ride to the fight. lol weeell kind of. keep up the videos its relaxing after a days work to come home and see someone else working. :)
Thank you very much. Will do
best video yet
Thanks Chad, and thanks for sticking with us! -Mike
Great Video. We farm just out side a small town in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa. We may be on the other side of the world from you but we farm for the same reasons you do and we operate pretty much the same way as you. We wouldn't do any thing else. It's a great life.
It amazes me everyday when we talk to someone from far away how similar things really are. You are right, a great life. Thanks for watching - Mike
Wonderful video!!!!
Thank you very much Jannis, and thanks for watching! -Mike
Blessed indeed Mike! Also, did I see a cactus 🌵 while you were feeding cake? I’m no stranger to cactus here in Az but was surprised to see it there. Anyway please keep doing what your doing. I hope you know what it means to a lot of us
A nice little series .... :)
Thank you - Mike
You have a very nice life and a great vid. I just found ya and enjoy the thought of that kind of life... Even thou I'm the guy you described at the beginning! ha, ha.. But it is what works for me at this time in my life... Maybe someday I'll get the courage to switch gears! Only time will tell. Thank you for the encouragement!
Hi Mitch, Thank you for watching, I've been there and you have to do what works for you. Do what makes you happy! You watching gives us encouragement so it works both ways. Thanks -Mike
Mike, I just envy you and Erin more and more every Sunday morning! Keep up the hard work, it certainly will pay off with family (grandkids on the ranch!). Thanks, as always Mike.
P.S. I hope you're planning on vlogging the Farm to Table dinner!!
We are hoping to get some video of it, the problem may be with some people that dont want to be on video, we are going to play it by ear and see. Thanks Deb -Mike
I'm loving your films! I was looking at your merch to see if you had a "live like the gate is open" shirt.
Thats a great idea, I think I will get one made. Thank you very much ! - Mike
Great life
I know I would love it
Hey Mike
It's hard work isn't it?
But we can see that Ranch life is also full of good adventures
Keep it up Videos are great
Jul 24, 1:55pm Brazil (Wagner)
Thank you, you are correct ! - Mike
Really like your channel. Found it last week. We re a young family as well and just started a dairy farm in Maine and would like to share it in the same manner. Keep it up.--M
Thank you very much, good luck to you and thanks for watching - Mike
I would love to have a bottle calf. I love taking care of something or someone.
nice vid there. I do 50% of my ranching on the back of a horse. I don't like using the atv as much
Now thats living
Are you reading something from behind the Recorder? Lol
Save your feed bags and cows DC food to made topsoil
On the freedom of the ranch was
I do love the videos Mike. Thanks for posting them. Is it possible to address at some point being able to get started when you don't yet own land? I have read through a lot of Greg Judy's and Joel Salatin's books. I've worked on and off farms for a while yet the ever elusive ability to own acres hinders me, I think. What are your experiences in regard to ranching when someone doesn't have thousands of acres to inherit or buy outright?
I did this job when I was a teen back in Honduras, now I’m 30 year old and ready to go back to the ranch life. I have to be honest, I’m not happy living in the city
I get that, thank you and thanks for watching - Mike
There are two kinds of rich. There is Money Rich....which is fickle at best and not all that good at feeding the heart and soul of a man. And then there is Life Rich....where what you do and who you are become one....where loving what you do becomes loving who you are....where every day is seen as an adventure, a chance to grow, a opportunity to learn. I, unfortunately, have neither. I live pay check to pay check.....always have enough to make it through, but never enough to live a life of luxury. What I do and who I am at heart are miles apart....my heart yearns for the soil, the field, the tractor seat, the smell of freshly cut hay, the sound of a rooster staking his claim...but I go to work each day to clean stainless steel machinery used to process and package produce, rarely seeing the sunset, and the smell of tons of processed onions is nothing like the smell of rich, fertile soil. Lucky is the man who loves what he does, does what he loves, and knows that there is no place on earth that he would rather be. I watch CZcams videos of farmers and ranchers and think....that is where I want to be. Six nights a week, I work in near freezing conditions, soaked with water, bleach, soap and sanitizer....my body is there doing the work...but my mind and heart are in a constant dream....dreaming of the sound of the breeze whispering through the alphafa, the steady done of a tractor engine as the plow cuts deep into the soil, the caress of the sunlight on the back of my neck.
9:16 the dog looks like a good boy. is he a good boy?
Hey there, thanks she is a good dog, however that night she decided to tangle with a skunk and we have spent most of the last few days giving her baths and trying to get the smell out of her. She thinks she smells great! -Mike
Here in Northeast Oklahoma our ranches are covered in trees, and look way different than yours. Would you prefer more trees or do you like the open landscape of your ranch?
I like trees but also its nice to be able to look out across the landscape. I sure wouldn't want to chase cows through trees, that doesn't sound like much fun. Its funny but we have family in Oregon on the coast that we went to visit and all the trees make you claustrophobic. Its so weird to me not to be able to see all around for miles. haha. Thanks for continuing to watch, I really do appreciate it. -Mike
Hey Mike, Are your days typically physically easier in the winter time?
Winters can be weird because most of my day will be dependant on the weather. Feeding always has to be done but if its nice(above freezing and not blowing a blizzard) I might be able to get some outside work done. I tend to do alot of shop projects during the winter also, luckily the shop is heated. Thanks for watching-Mike
Good Evening, I really enjoyed this video. A couple of questions please: You mentioned about having the cows getting an ultrasound to see if they were pregnant. If they're not pregnant would you have the bull run with them again? OR, Do ranchers use artificial insemination or is it cost prohibitive? I've heard they use artificial insemination with dairy herds and with sows.
Cows inseminated now, would calves be out of sync with the rest of the herd and be more trouble than it's worth? It's always a pleasure watching your video's, I miss the west and the wide open spaces. There is just a certain attraction about a distant horizon...what's over that next hill?
Howdy Larry, thanks for watching. We dont use any artificial insemination here, the cost is high and usually not worth it at this point. If a cow isnt pregnant we will usually sell her at auction, feeding for and paying for an unbred cow isnt making us any money and its just costing us money. We can use the money from the sale of unbred cows to buy bred heifers to help replenish the herd. If we have a first year cow that isnt bred we may give her another year to breed back, but thats the only time they get a get out of jail free card. I hope that makes sense. Thanks again! -Mike
👍
Thank you and thanks for watching - Mike
what is that called that you pat on cow to move forward
Hello Mike, After watching from my easy chair in Texas I have a question. Is Cow Cake like Range Cubes?
Some call it cubes, some call it cake. I think its more of a regional thing kinda like soda or pop. The term cake comes from the days when it was made out of cottonseed cake. Enjoy your easy chair, keep watching ! lol Thanks - Mike
BTW, I found your channel from watching Guy in WY. The first time I heard your voice I knew you were worked in Radio or TV. I have watched quite a few of your videos and enjoy your trials and tribulations. I liked the Antelope Hunt video in how they were like family and not a client. Your wife's food videos causes hunger and mouth watering. Well rounded content, family oriented. Thanks-RKHarm24
Thank you very much, means alot to us. And thanks to Blake as well. - Mike
I came from Blake to you .... And from Tractor Time With Tim to Blake ..... I see the same names all the time .... Like family .... ROFL! :)
what do you do if you want to go on vacation, can you hire people to look after than ranch for a week? or do you just not go on vacation
and holy hell is that a lot of flies on the cows
Flies are life this time of year, the cows and calves have insecticide tags to keep them off, plus they have fly repellant powder they can get on them but its a never ending battle. Vacation? Whats that? We did get away for 4 days in between branding and haying. A neighbor will usually keep an eye on things for us. Thanks! -Mike
thanks for the detailed reply. what attracts flies to cows so much, i assume its their excrement?
That's a great neighbor! I assume they have as much to do at their place as you do at yours, so basically doubling their workload is a pretty big favor. I assume what goes around comes around, and you would return the courtesy.
Why are there no trees on your place? I understand the property, but I'd have thought you would plant a tree by your house. In Texas, our cows need shade from our very hot sun, so trees are everywhere around their field. I live in a county with 16,000 people and 65,000 cows! I'd have thought you would have more cows with all that land, but maybe it wouldn't sustain more.
Question for the q&a: can humans eat cattle cake?
I've tried it, its pretty dry. Bring milk. lol Thanks Ben - Mike
How much for a quarter beef can u ship it to washington state
I'm afraid the shipping would be out rageous, but you can always come pick it up! Thanks for watching - Mike
Hey Mike, Do you know a guy in radio named Kevin O'Brien?
Hello, the only Kevin O'Brian that I've met was a sportscaster I think, and I'm not sure how it was spelled. Thanks! -Mike
How far to the nearest Home Depot?
The closest Home Depot is about 20 miles away, and just like any job, the repairs when I need parts usually need at least two trips because I forgot something or got the wrong size. Just the way it goes! Thanks for watching David. -Mike
This guy is good at making you feel a part of the ranch but I suppose to be good in radio you would have to learn fast to do this. Luca
How many ranch cats do you have? Are they hunting machines?
Thats a good question Scott. We have 3 main barn cats that I consider our cats. A couple are more friendly than the other. Then we end up getting a few strays that wander through. They are hunters, I havent seen a mouse or any other rodent in the barn or near it for years. However, they think skunks and raccoons are cats also and I've caught our cats eating out of the cat food feeder right next to one. I try to tell them the difference but they just dont get it. Thanks for watching! -Mike
Do you sell frozen chickens???
How many bags of cake do you go through in a day and how many cows is it for?
It actually depends on the hay that I'm feeding that day. If it is a good alfalfa hay that is high in protein they may not get cake that day. When I do feed cake then they get 2 pounds per cow and I will feed over 300lbs, bags are 50lbs each so that would be 6 bags. Thanks Thomas and thanks for watching - Mike
Our Wyoming Life I can't stop watching honestly. I just found you guys yesterday and now I'm watching all the videos! Keep up the awesome work.
Thank you very much, feel free to comment anytime, we love answering questions!
how much is cow cake?
It costs about 400$ per ton. Thanks - Mike
Don't B Gitti'n a Fat Head or so, Butt ; YYZ, Mohawk-Planker Truly Believes ur Promotion Of Farm Life is Bigger than the Act of The Farmi'n" Itself ! Tracktor 2 Turbine kind'a Guy & ,don't 4git the Horse of Course ! 2 Old 2 go Home But the Memories are Truly Awesome ! Thank-U !!! Planker. Pitch-Fork & Flat Shovel at the Ready ? May-B an App 4er that! ?
Thank you very much - Mike
Yours is the first ranch in 70 Yrs with no Dogs. How come?
I'm not a farmer but I was wondering why don't you raise your own bull so you don't have to be out for $1000?
2:56 please tell me your cat’s name isn’t “Hitler” ?
Once it's in ure blood u can't get away from it
Baler twine a farmers best friend and worst enemy due to getting caught in it
Oh I hear ya, we mostly just keep twine around for odds and ends as most of our bales are now wrapped in net wrap, but its still handy stuff. Thanks for watching! -Mike
Our Wyoming Life yep we still use a twine baler a new holland 688 its been a godsend no more squares for us!
oh yea, squares are a pain!
Our Wyoming Life especially when your balers from the 40s-50s international model 46 but now we have a 273 hayliner so we're pretty set
awesome. I dont know what I would have done if my father in law didnt leave us good equipment. We are very lucky