It is calving season and Equine Journeys students are assisting the calving operation at the EJ Cattle Company ranch. During calving season first-calf heifers must be checked every four hours to ensure the birthing process proceeds without endangering the life of the cow or calf. Oftentimes first-calf heifers will experience birthing complications which require assistance, such as turning or even pulling a calf if the cow cannot naturally give birth without problems. Every four hours throughout the day and night students rotate the responsibilities of heifer checks and birthing assistance. This process will continue for approximately two months and until all the calves are born.
Additionally, during heifer checks, students also check up on the calves which have already been born to ensure they are nursing appropriately and not experiencing health problems which can be prevalent in newborn calves. If a problem is detected, they provide the appropriate medical treatments and interventions to ensure the calf’s well being.

Equine Journeys recently developed a cattle purchasing program for students who wish to buy, own, breed, and sell their very own cattle. This program provides students with the opportunity to become entrepreneurs, learn sound business practices, improve responsibility skills, manage personal assets, monitor market conditions, and earn money. With financial backing from loan programs or parents, student purchase cattle from the local auction and immediately begin herd management as they plan for grazing and feed costs, breeding choices and expenses, calving operation, and day to day care of livestock. Student-owned livestock are tagged with an ear tag which specifically and uniquely identifies each of their cattle as their own and allows them to easily identify their cattle from other ranch cattle in the main herd. Students also participate in raising feed crops to assist with feed provision for their cattle.