2013 Narjes Cattle Co. Branding

This past weekend we had our branding. One of the most important weekend of the year. Family, Friends, Food, Drinks, and Cattle!

The Vaccinations Table. 

It was this young mans first branding. He was so excited when it was all said and done that he promised to come back next year! 

Ryan Branding

Waiting on a brand or shots?

Tyson giving the calf vaccinations to prevent illness. Similar to the shots your child is required to have before going to school. 

The wonderful chefs!

We're Engaged!

This past weekend I went back to Sidney for their Annual Octoberfest celebration. I rode back with two girls from Sidney who go to school in Omaha, so it made the long 5 hour drive go much faster than normal. Octoberfest is much like the Clarkson Czech Festival, focusing on German roots and traditions and of course a big tent with lots of people and beer! Little did I know that Tyson was planning something a little more exciting than partying in the Octoberfest Tent.

Saturday morning there is a parade in town at 10 AM. Tyson told me that after the parade we would go take mineral out to the cows, which is something that we do almost every time I come out to Sidney. Little did I know what was actually waiting for me to see in the pasture. The parade got over about noon, then we headed to the Octoberfest tent to have a brat and a glass of beer , before we headed out to the pasture. After we put out mineral, Tyson and I walked through the calves and cows that were by the windmill like we always do and we talked about our favorites and which ones Ty wanted to keep back as heifers. Then we hopped in his pick up and headed up to the top of the pasture to look for the rest of the cows that weren't down by the windmill. Once we got to the top, we walked up to the edge of the ridge and found this: 

Who would have thought that Tyson could be so creative?!?! : )

A view from the top of the pasture.

The preparations, 2 1/2 pick-up loads.

A few pictures minutes after I said, Yes!!!

Celebration Hugs and Joys!

Many thanks to Susan for the coming to take a few pictures to share with family and friends. My family enjoyed viewing the picture, since they couldn't be with us on this joyous day! Now let the planning begin! Stay tuned for future wedding details! : )

Narjes Branding

I apologize for the lateness of my post, with finals and preparing for my upcoming France trip I don’t seem to have much spare time.

This weekend marked the second annual Narjes branding and my only ever second branding. Tyson and his brother Ryan decided last year that they wanted to start a cow/calf herd together so that they could take over renting their Grandpa’s pasture. I believe it has been a huge learning curve for the both of them, as they have never had their own cow/calf herd. Neighbors and friends have been more than willing to help them get started and give advice to the boys, which I know they are truly thankful for.

I’ll be honest last year I was completely new to this thing they call branding, and I had no idea what I was doing. The brand inspection area starts just west of where I grew up, so I had never experience a branding before. In eastern Nebraska there are no branding laws and we are required to fence in our cattle, but in the brand inspection area, cattle are still “free range” so to speak and producers are required to fence out other animals. The brand is used to identify animals to a certain producer and make sure that the person selling the animals has right to do so.

The weather Saturday wasn’t exactly what we had hoped for with 40° temperatures and winds up to 40 mph, but the boys pulled the stock trailer up next to the barn to use as a wind block. It was actually not too bad behind the barn, and I must say it was better than last year when it was raining and just as plain cold! The boys had plenty of people show up to help so the whole process went fairly quickly. 

Here are a few photos from the branding this past Saturday:

Tyson's brother Ryan worked the cows as they came through the shoot, he was assisted by his soon to be father-in-law Joe and his fiance Laura.

On the other side of the shoot, Tyson's oldest brother Kyle was branding the cows that the boys had purchases this year and hadn't been given the Narjes brand yet. Kyle and his girlfriend Sarah came back from Denver to help!

Sarah has never been to a branding before either, so she was eager to jump in and help, she did great!

Here Tyson is giving the calf a vaccination to help protect against diseases. The vaccination will last all summer long while the calf is in the pasture.

The boys had so much help that this is about all the action I got when it came to actually helping. Here is Tyson's younger cousin Allyson helping hold the calf while waiting for branding and vaccinations.

Here is why there was no need for me to help, look at all these strong men! :) Many friends and neighbors came out to help for the day, thanks to everyone who helped out!

After the quick branding and vaccination, the calves are soon back on their feet and reunited with their moms. You can   see the upside down TV, which is the Narjes brand.                                                                                                                                       (Don't mind Kyle in the background, I believe he was practicing his yoga or something...)

After all the work was done Susan, Tyson's mom had a great lunch ready to eat and cold drinks for all.

Here's the whole crew that showed up for the branding, minus Susan. Many thanks again to everyone that came out, it was a lot of fun! 

 Also many thanks to Tyson's mom, Susan, for all the wonderful pictures!

Why Blog???

Well I have finally done it.. I’ve started my own blog! After receiving a pamphlet on UNL City Campus about Veganism and Animal cruelty (from a man who has never set foot on a farm) I figured that now is the time to start telling my story. Lately it seems to be so important to connect people back to the farm!

So here is a little about me:

Above is my Dad and my uncle. My Dad owns a hay hauling and grinding business, they were honored at this year's Platte Valley Cattlemens Banquet as the 2010 Agri-business of the year! Janousek Hay Service is their full time job, but both farm and have cattle on the side. My brother Clint is also involved in the operation he's a little camera shy so I don't have a picture to show him off yet.

This is my boy, Tyson. He helps me keep my sanity.. most days anyways!

Here is my Mom and my two sisters. Even though they are 7 and 8 years older than me, I am still very close with them glad that they live so close to home so I can visit everytime I go home. And thankful for them giving me two cute nieces and nephew. Such a joy to be an Aunt, its a whole new kind of love!

Here are my two adorable nieces Audrey and McKenzie.. they are only 3 months apart and love to be together! Gets a little crazy at Grandma's house with these 2 year olds, but I love it!

And here is the newest additon to our Family, my nephew Dillion. I was so excited to have a a nephew that I drove home in a blizzard just to be the first one to welcome him into the world!

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