2 good days

Yesterday and today went well for a change. I had a bull calf that for various reasons I didn't get sold on time. One reason was that he wouldn't go in the catch pen, but the main reason was that when he did he jumped over and mashed down a gate. Decided to rebuild loading chute and make a new gate. Broke pto shaft on nearly new 3ph digger for no real good reason that I could tell. Finally got things repaired and built a new 6 foot high gate, putting it in a location where the cows could get used to going out that way, yesterday got bull in pen and got him on trailer without too much trouble, took him 50 miles to sale. I have a 5 x 10 trailer that I pull with a small truck. I could tell the bull was back there and was nervous the whole trip. Bull was larger than I thought, weiged 1500 pounds and brought 57.5 cents per pound. Top price for bulls I saw sold was 60 cents per pound so I had a good days work. BTW. 5 hogs weighing 1350 pounds brought 33 cents per pound.

I had left 2 other smaller bulls in the pen with the way open to get out by the loading chute. This morning I caught one ot them and took him 45 miles the other way to a sale barn. Didn't see him sell. He was no trouble to load put pitched a fit unloading, including chasing someone's Australlian Shepard up an alley in the barn. Guess he decided after being moved around by people he didn't have to put up with a little dog.

That sale barn is located about 2 miles from the Revolutionary War Battle of Cowpens site. I guess its appropriate since the name Cowpens comes from the fact that early settlers in the area free ranged cattle and rounded them up occasionally, putting them in pens there. In those days there were some open meadows and some cane brakes for the cows to graze on. There were large numbers of chestnut trees and I don't know if cows ate chestnuts or not, but hogs which were also turned loose got fat on chestnuts. Livestock was driven to the coast(Charleston) to market.

For those of you interested in the Battle of Cowpens, It took place along a road. The British were advancing up a slight hill which was high enough for some of the Americans to hide behind. Militia forces in front fired a couple of well aimed volleys, then retreated exposing regular forces which engaged the somewhat disorganized British. The American General Morgan reorganized the militia and hit the British from the sides along with a calvary charge. Big victory for the U.S. since one wing of the British army was destroyed.

KEH

Very interesting post. Thanks for the history lesson. Battle of Cowpens probably wasn't big enough to make it to most history books, so I enjoyed reading about it. Thanks again.

Just curious. For 860$ did that pay for the feed and other costs...ie. did you make any money on the bull? thx

Thanks for responses. On profitability, the bull grew mostly on grass in summer and hay in winter. Some grass grows here during warm spells in winter. Salt provided, sometimes a protein block in winter. I'm not organized enough to have a cost breakdown on him, however, IMO it would have been better to have sold him at weaning, like I did the bull today. There is a steep price per pound drop starting around 700 pounds for bulls. I think when they reach 1500 pounds the price for pasture raised steers and bulls is about the same, but I could be wrong. I think the price for 2 500 pound bulls or steers would be more than I got for this bull. My intentions were good, he just fell throught the cracks.

Nancy, that battle should be in good Revolutionary War texts. It was a major victory which forced changes in the British battle plan to their disadvantage. General Morgan deserves the credit for a well thought plan and good leadership. Incidentially, I think I'm correct in saying that there were more battles fought in SC during the revolution than in any other state.

KEH

also a good review of that battle in a 2 part video called "The Rebels" with Don Johnson, Peter Graves & many stars. Prolly in your local library.

KEH , I live in Cherokee county SC , good to here from other in our area.