This spring semester, I am interning at a ranch in Central
Montana to fulfill a requirement for a couple classes in order to graduate in
May. I’ve decided that I’ll make an attempt at doing weekly or bi-weekly
installments of my experience. I’ll be here until the first part of April, so
we’ll see how this goes!
Last
Tuesday, the 9th, I endured what seemed to be the longest travel day
of my life. My flight out of West Virginia was delayed two hours because of fog
at Dulles Airport. I had to change all of my flights around so instead of
landing in Great Falls at around 2:30, I landed at around 10 that night. To top
it off, my luggage didn’t make it on the plane in DC (after a 7-hour layover,
which was tons of fun I might add) so when I landed at 10 o’clock, I had very,
very little luggage. Thankfully, it made it on Wednesday.
The next
few days I was without a vehicle so I just accompanied hands and the rancher’s
family to move cows or feed cows. I also helped with pre-calving vaccinations. Now
that I look back, I was and still am almost always thinking “we couldn’t do it
that way in West Virginia” or that “this just doesn’t happen that way in West
Virginia.” For example, to move cows, they use their trucks. On our farm
anyway, that is near impossible. Sometimes we will use our RTV to toll cows
with feed, but the rest is done by walking. Sure, many producers use
4-wheeler’s and RTV’s to move cows in the state, but the luxury of a heated or
air-conditioned truck is nearly unheard of.
Another
difference here is the wind. IT CONSTANTLY BLOWS. A couple days ago, it snowed,
was close to 0 degrees, and the wind howled all day long. It was absolutely
miserable for bovines and any humans involved. That was the moment, as much as
I have completely wondered why we do what we do in West Virginia with such
hilly ground, that I realized I miss the mountains.
I still
think though that the biggest thing other than the time change and getting used
to the different climate, is the fact that there are SO many cows. I don’t
think I’ve seen so many bovines in my life except maybe (which is a big maybe)
since we visited a feed yard while I was on the livestock judging team.
The small-town feel is something
that is still around a little bit at home, but it’s like reliving my youth being
in this town. Everyone has been so nice and welcoming and even though I don’t
know anyone when I’m driving, they still will wave.
There is
certainly a lot for me to get used to on this little adventure. I’m still
getting used to the idea that I won’t be home until early April and will be
completely missing out on my own calving and lambing, but I’m really trying to
stay positive. I miss the mountains, and I will most likely go.
