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Pictures from the ranch this week…

One thing we do a lot of is put up and take down hotwire fence. This is the fence we use to build all the temporary paddocks that contain the cattle as they graze a particular piece of ground. One of the benefits to using smaller paddocks as opposed to giving the cows an entire field at once, is that it allows us more control over how heavily the herd grazes any forage within their paddock, and therefore helps protect the area from over-grazing. The herd always has plenty of room in their paddocks to move around as much as needed.

The hotwire is strung between and wrapped around thin fiberglass posts that have been pounded into the ground. A solar charger, like the one pictured above, is connected to the hotwire. It pulses an electrical current through the hotwire. If a cow touches the wire it experiences a small, harmless, uncomfortable shock. The cows quickly become “hotwire trained” and know not to touch the wire.

We have a new cowdog-in-training at the Tendoy ranch! Her name is Svenna, and she goes with Scott everywhere, whether it be work or play. Here she is accompanying the family on an evening walk. She is already showing great enthusiasm when working the herd, and good instincts on when to pressure the cows and when to back off. We are excited to continue to train her, and watch her grow into a full-fledged, working cowdog!

Happy cows on good fall grass; a satisfying sight!

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“You first notice the color change. Lush greens are fading to brown, the green color trickling down out of the tops of the grass and down into the roots. You can still see green, if you walk around and pick up a handful of grass, a bouquet mix of orchard grass, clover, alfalfa, sainfoin, and bluegrass. Looking out across the pasture, the grass is bent over, wind tousled, like a toddler’s hair. I know. I have a toddler.

Color was stolen from us this year. We had a sudden hard frost in early October, before the aspens and cottonwoods along our river had turned color. Green leaves changed directly to brown (without passing “go”, as you might say). The winding river bottom, which should have been shrouded by resplendent gold and copper leaves, was instead a disappointing ashy green gray.

The blackbirds are making different sounds. Perched among the cattails, frothy with silk, they make the call you hear only in fall and spring. “Hurry up,” they seem to say.

We might be disappointed, but we aren’t worried. Every year is different in this country.”

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And that’s it for this week!

Thanks again for partnering in what we do!

Glenn, Caryl, cowgirls and cowboys at Alderspring.

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We’ve been crafting our pastured protein here in Idaho’s Rocky Mountains for nearly 30 years and delivering it direct to our partners for nearly as long. This is wild wellness, delivered from our ranch to your door.

Your partnership with alderspring directly supports our mission to improve soil health, wildlife habitat, and animal and human wellness through regenerative ranching practices.

Here’s what we’ve accomplished with your help & support in just the last 12 years!