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The Hills Are Green!

We have been managing our land in order to maintain it for the generations to come. These years of drought have challenged us in new ways, yet in these past few months we have enjoyed rain falling. The rain reminds us of Noah and the Ark, Genesis 8:1 says “And God remembered Noah, and all the beasts, and all the cattle that were with him in the ark . . .” Genesis 8:8 – 12 goes on to say, “Then he (Noah) sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground; but the dove found no resting place for the sole of her foot and she returned unto him to the ark; . . . and he stayed yet other seven days; and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark; and the dove came in to him toward evening, and lo, in her mouth an olive-leaf plucked . . . and he stayed yet other seven days, and sent forth the dove; and she returned not again unto him any more.”

December 2015 (1024x345)
Here at Grieb Ranch we love to see the hills green by November. However this season, the hills were still brown so we had to have the cattle in close to feed.  Rain fell in December and in January so with green hills surrounding us at last, we finally were able to open the gates for the cattle to head back to the hills.  It took a while for all the cattle to leave and head back to the hills, but one day when we went to feed they had all left!!!!  Yeah!!!

January 2016 (1024x244)

Ranchers manage the range so the ranch will be healthy for more generations to enjoy and use the land.

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Cowboy Calendar with Daniel on the Cover

cowboy calendar cover 2016

Yes, Daniel of Grieb Ranch is the featured cowboy on the front of the 2016 Cowboy Engagement Calendar. Daniel is pictured riding Dee with a ranch dog running happily by his side.  Get yourself a calendar here >.

But that’s not all, he also appears in another 2016 Cowboy calendar. He is the March Cowboy riding his horse Tex and throwing a loop.

Daniel March Cowboy (1024x1017)

Both pictures were taken and submitted by Londy Garcia of San Luis Obispo.

 

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Mud, Mud, Mud

Ranch help in the mud (1024x765)The recent flash rains caused a lot of work for us as the dry, crisp vegetation left on the hills washed and the soil that had turned to powder, flowed.  washout along the road (1024x765)All year we work at maintaining our mountain ranch roads so they will hold up when the rain comes. We don’t need them to get wiped out. The recent rains, and the manner in which they came, challenged all we have done during the past years of drought. Ethan in washout (1024x765)

Our soil is called clay or adobe so even after days of no rain vehicles are not allowed on them. The roads stay very slick and dangerous.

Clearingwaterway (993x1024)

The mud accumulated up the canyon where dead trees had fallen and blocked water passage. This year there was more dead wood because of the years of drought. So we sent Papa, along with some help, to clear the passage. They were able to get a tractor up there and do the job. Who knew there was so much dead wood to wash down?

Riders in the mud (1024x768)

Since the roads were impassable, riders had to be sent out to maintain some remote equipment on the ranch. They rode and worked as the rain came down.

The cows have been kept in off the hills for months to give the hills a rest so we will have a place to ranch for generations to come.  As the hills are greening the cows will gradually follow their noses to find the grass and move out.  We are thankful for the rain, but the mud is still an everyday challenge. Well for most of us anyway!

P helps with the mud (1024x765)