It’s that time of year again. The time when we separate the calves from the mama cows.

Nate feeds the cows up the chute

where others stand ready to receive the calf.

These cowboys close the chute and turn it on its side creating a work table.

These gals keep track of how many males and females come through as well as few other things as needed.

Like measuring out immunizations

and administering them.

My father-in-law checks out this calf

while my cowgirl slides a rope into the back of the chute for the cowboys to loop around the calf’s back legs.

Then she and her cowgirl cousin take turns securing the rope so the cowboys don’t get kicked when they raise part of the panel …

to do this. Rocky Mountain oysters anyone?

This guy’s never experienced that.

Branding is the last part of this process.

The calves are released into a holding corral until we’ve worked with all of them.

Grandma helps the tiniest cowgirl peek at the calves.

The calves are released back into the waiting mama cows. Lots of loud mooing ensues as each calf and mama cow call out until they find each other.