Battling the Storm

By: Jordan Hebert

As the snow begins to melt from Winter Storm Uri and the power and water slowly comes back on, the struggle and strife still lingers for many cattle ranchers and stock contractors throughout America. It’s a part of the job that goes relatively unnoticed and untold by many. On top of worrying about the ordinary setbacks from unprecedented winter conditions, including power outages, freezing pipes, trucks unable to start, trying to stay warm and taking care of their families, during the heart of calving season ranchers are also fighting to keep their cattle alive.

Being a cattle rancher can be incredibly difficult under normal conditions. There are not enough hours in the day for these courageous men and women to do everything required of them. The late nights and early mornings have become that much longer as ranchers continue to check on their cows and newborn calves. They are breaking apart ice so that there is a continuous source of water and giving their cattle extra food to ensure these animals can survive subzero temperatures they’ve never experienced before.

“This weather has definitely taken its toll on us as well as our animals,” world No. 15 bull rider and ABBI stock contractor Brennon Eldred said. “Everyday chores like feeding and watering have turned into an all-day ordeal including having to haul water and trying to keep as much hay as we can in front of our animals. Like many others, this past week we have lost a few calves. We’ve also been able to save a few – and that’s a huge blessing.”

As each new calf is welcomed into this world, ranchers take on an additional responsibility: providing them with the best chance of living through the cold in their first few days of life. Random rooms in their houses have become calf rehabilitation centers as they surround them with heaters, blow dryers, blankets, lukewarm baths and bottles full of colostrum to care for these babies.

The love and attention put into their livestock truly starts from day one.

“Losing money is one aspect of this,” Eldred said. “But more than anything, it’s hard just knowing the work that has gone into breeding and raising these animals and not knowing what the potential of those calves could have been. The negative temperatures along with the snow and wind was just the absolute worst conditions you could ask for to calve in. We are thankful for our animals that have been resilient in this weather.”

Those who are valiantly addressing this unprecedented situation head on don’t have much time to share their stories, but their tireless efforts shouldn’t be overlooked. The more knowledge others have about what these ranchers are going through, the better everyone can understand the extraordinary sacrifices made to care for these animals.

Ranching is not a lifestyle for everyone, as their lives revolve around bovines consuming a lot of their time and effort.

Loss and anguish have surrounded cattle ranchers and stock contractors during this storm – loss of power and household amenities but, most heartbreakingly, the loss of cattle.

In some circumstances, ranchers have exhausted all options and still had to say goodbye to their animals. Unfortunately, there is only so much that can be done in this instance, but they do all that they can before it is apparent that nothing else can help change the outcome.

One breeder, ABBI Secretary Gina Graham, was successful in saving a heifer who was born at the beginning of the storm between rolling blackouts as she balanced working her full-time job while caring for this newborn calf.

“We are exhausted both mentally and physically and just want to sleep uninterrupted!” Graham said.

“We were able to save a calf (Miss Kline) because we were in the right place at the right time. We tried to work with her and put her back out in the pasture several times, but she was too lethargic to stand so we brought her home where she’s been living the past week. In this business, especially as breeders, every save is a win. You never know who might be brought into this world, maybe another ABBI Champ or a PBR Bull of the Year.”

The Mills family of Red Laces Cattle Co. had their hands full as well with taking care of calves both in and outside of their home, while dealing with the loss of power and water.

“We had two calves that were born on the coldest day of the week, it was sleeting and snowing and around 10 degrees.” Alicia Mills explained. “We rushed both calves into the house to warm them by the fire and in the bathtub once their bodies could handle it. After a blowout with the hair dryer and a bottle of colostrum, we were able to put them both back out with their moms in the herd the next day. We are so grateful.”

“It was a team effort.” Beau Mills added. “We could not have done it without our parents and family or Austin and Skye. It was an ‘all-hands-on-deck, 24/7, life or death’ situation.”

And the light at the end of the deep, dark tunnel?

Many have expressed that these conditions could be worse and refer to those who have suffered more than them. Some offering prayers, others sharing tips to handle new calves being born in the cold, and everyone reaching out to see if there is anything they can do to help their fellow ranchers and contractors.

“Our prayers have been with the ranchers and stock contractors down south,” Washington stock contractor Craig Wentz shared. “Frigid cold weather is brutal on cattle and people, no matter where you live. For us, there’s no better feeling in the evening knowing your herd is taken care of. Everyday now, we’re one day closer to spring.”

“It has definitely been an eye-opening experience for us,” ABBI stock contractor Katie Perschbacher said. “Even something as simple as running water. We have not had it as bad as others, but we struggled in our own way. Being a part of this industry is great. We have gotten so many messages and calls just checking on us. People have reached out in so many ways.”

For the bulls who end up bucking on the PBR Unleash The Beast tour, this is where it all begins.

Between the hard work and commitment that comes from cattle ranchers and stock contractors across the country hoping to raise the next Bushwacker, Bruiser or Smooth Operator, they have dedicated their lives to watching over their stock and doing anything in their power to see them succeed.

The bigger picture may include 90-point rides and 46-plus point bull scores, but the focus for most bull owners this past week was to get through the unexpected freeze as these courageous men and women working tirelessly help ensure the loss wasn’t as great as it could have been.

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