Seems that I’ve fallen into the trap of micro blogging on my Instagram account (@mcarthurteam) and so it’s time to play catch up.

Gretchen Rubin’s quote,  ‘the days are long, but the years are short’ definitely comes to mind although in our instance (particularly in the height of winter) the days seem far to short too!

After all, sunrise in winter is more like 6.30am than 4.30 …….

The bureau’s promise of a wetter than average winter has started to unfold with unseasonal but very welcome rain in June. The grass response has been positive and our rolling rainfall curve is now trending in a positive direction.

The business of raising cattle continues, with our mustering team becoming more capable and experienced. Average age of the mustering team being a key driver of this!

Our country type, cattle temperament and paddock size certainly lends itself to mustering on horseback. But we’re certainly not afraid of exploring new technologies and how they can be applied.

The application of the drone is fascinating both the young and old. In the smaller, more open paddocks, Andrew has single handedly been able to scout around 500 backgrounding cattle and move them through their cell centre and onto fresh pasture.

All this has been completed from the sidestep of the ute, parked 50 m from the cell centre, in less than 20 minutes.

Naturally the age old principles of handling cattle applied. No matter the technology, cattle sense is a must!

This footage of Andrew settling the cattle has been taken with the camera on the drone.

Another day, another mob, gathered out of a much larger paddock so we had a few men (kids!) on horses to preserve the battery of the Drone. Andrew began taking footage as the last of the cattle gathered at the corner.

He was able to help Rob (on horseback)  steady the lead until the last of the cattle came through the gate. They then let the cattle flow through a small gully before crossing a major creek.

Andrew supervised the horsemen guiding and counting the 600 odd head through the gate.

While we’ve mostly been shifting cattle to rest paddocks, we’ve had a few mobs of cattle through the yards. There has been some pregnancy testing, sorting and selling.

Adelaide has just celebrated a birthday and was given a new push bike. Seems Hamish, the third boy, was a little tired of the hand me downs and has comandeered the bike to scoot down the hill when he’s running late for work.

There is a lot of watching and a lot of learning that goes on when down at the yards. Body position, attitude and energy are all so important for a calm and happy working environment.

We keep reminding the kids to keep watch, and then you’ll know when and how to best step in and help.

They seem to be catching on quickly!

I don’t mind one bit overseeing  with my camera from the top rail. It’s not a bad spot to capture all the special moments that are fleeting and flying past.

 

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