Page 29 - MWC 3-9-2023s

and I knew it would take a The Midwest Cattleman · March 9, 2023 · P29
miracle to move the bull in
time to go with her. I went to
my bedroom, kneeled down,
and prayed that God would
help Dad and I move the bull
in time for me to go to town.
“Dad and I caught the
horses, saddled and loaded
them in the little old pickup
trailer. My dad would drop
the tailgate and the horses
would jump into the trailer
that had sucker rod stock
racks to keep them in. Dad
and I headed to the pasture
about a mile from home. We “My great grandfather’s tractor tire is low or a cow is
pulled into the pasture and brand was a horsehead, dat- limping. Stay tuned in and
the bull was about a hun- ing back to the beginning of engaged and focus. Basically,
dred feet from the gate, with Oklahoma's statehood,” Tay- be responsible.”
not another cow in sight. I lor said. “I decided to name Hired hand Frank Moore,
was amazed! And I knew the ranch in Henry Taylor's Taylor said, influenced him
that God had answered my honor, after his brand.” tremendously by his Christ-
prayer. The bull could have Great Grandson Taylor like ways. He also taught him
been with the herd a mile never met his grandfather. not to touch a hot corral pipe
away from the gate, but he His knowledge of his ranch- fence that's just been welded.
was practically waiting for ing expertise came handed “That was my first ranch-
us by the gate. Dad and I un- down through Taylor's father. ing lesson that I learned at
loaded the horses and easi- “From the time I was knee age 5,” Taylor said, after he
ly moved the bull out of the high, and even while I was burned his hands.
pasture gate around a field an air traffic controller, it Every lesson learned in air
and into another pasture in was Dad who taught me the and on turf has helped Tay-
less than 30 minutes. ropes. He's the one who told lor build a Brangus herd he's
“Even at ten years old, I me, in farming, that no one is proud to run under the fam-
might have considered it a going to come do this for you. ily brand and dedicate to his newborn calf, until they leave
coincidence if the cows had He'd say, 'We have to do it, Lord. our place, gentle action and
been with the bull near the or it doesn't get done.' All of “We've had some fabulous working in low gear around
gate. But he was standing agriculture is tough, but it's bloodlines over the years,” the animals is good for them,
there all alone. I knew I had something I've embraced my Taylor said. “Cadence – out- for us, and our customers.”
witnessed a miracle.” entire life.” standing for size and gen- It's all about handling, ac-
Direct experience work- tleness. John Wayne – a line
Brangus - Better than a ing cattle in the pen instilled that has dominated the breed cording to Taylor, who keeps
Fishing Pole a “safety first” motto into for years. Lead Gun – who is his herd easy to manage and
By the time Taylor was Taylor's conscience. “Always also amazing. These are sim- responsive to him by feeding
grown and starting his own have a Plan B to protect ply the foundation bloodlines from a 5-gallon bucket while
ranch, he had outgrown the yourself, in case somebody that are just solid for the checking the herd.
need to shop for fishing tack- gets squirrely,” Taylor said. traits we're looking for.” Gentleness is complement-
le and camping gear and had Everything from A to Z in Those select characteris- ed by growthiness.
“All of our customers are
become quite content to sel- general care from equipment tics include great dispositions
dom trek to town. Though he to animals, his dad imparted. across the board, along with looking for farm raised bulls
left the distractions of boy- “Most importantly, Dad em- females known for milk and and heifers that have good
hood, he never forgot where phasized the need to pay at- maternal instincts. Horseh- growth potential,” Taylor
he came from. Thus, the tention to the little details,” ead Ranch wants bulls with said. “Folks want to sell big
ranch name. he said. “Check to see if a growth and outstanding calves who put weight on the
EPDs. They want high marks trailer when they head to
in scrotal circumference and town.”
low numbers in birth weight. UltraBlack (Brangus x
“Ideally,” Taylor said, Angus) are part of the hy-
“I want a female to look com- brid picture at Horsehead
fortable in her work clothes, Ranch. The UltraBlacks re-
with superb eye appeal, and move about a quarter of the
outstanding maternal in- Brahman in the first gener-
stincts, so that, at the end of ational cross. “Then we can
the day, she raises a calf that take that calf back to Bran-
everyone wants in their front gus,” Taylor said, “and put
pasture.” some back in, so their calf is
75% Brangus and 25% more
Easy Does It Angus.”
Taylor's cruising level with With Brangus and Ultra-
Brangus is easy and slow. Blacks, Taylor said he sees
“Interaction with our cattle greater pinkeye resistance,
brings a sense of calmness,”
he said, “from the time of a continued on page 30