Karina Jones is a real-life ranch wife in the Nebraska Sandhills and one of the most highly sought-after speakers in the cattle industry nationwide!
Weaning of the fall herd:
We gather our fall herd off the dry winter range.
For most operations weaning calves in April must seem awfully strange.
But these calves were born in August and September.
Having two herds calving a year is a lot of work, but it is the cash flow I must remember.
These calves are green as a gourd, with a twinkle in their eye.
At this time of year, the mommas are usually ready to say their goodbyes.
The corrals are reinforced and we pray they take the pressure.
It is a stressful few nights where there is no sleep to measure.
You lay in bed and listen for every sound.
Was that a kid going to the bathroom or a warning from a hound?
As long as the calves are bawling, we at least know they are still out there.
Then comes the night when you spring from your bed because there is nothing to hear!
My husband runs to grab a flashlight to head out to pens.
With thoughts running through my head, “oh great, I can wait to spend my whole morning getting them all back in.”
He returns with a smile and says with delight.
They are all laying down, calm and content for the night.
The only probably is it doesn’t feel like night to me anymore.
My mind is now wide awake knowing that it will soon be time to chore.
It’s five in the morning, so why don’t you be a dear.
Go start this momma’s coffee because the school bus will soon be here.
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Karina ranches with her husband, Marty, and 3 daughters near Broken Bow, NE. She grew up in western NE, with roots also in southwest SD. The cattle industry and raising kids is her passion.
Watching the cattle industry go the path that it has gone, she could no longer sit quietly at home checking cows, fixing fence, and doing all the everyday tasks wondering when some else was going to make it all better. As she became more active and outspoken on industry issues, she was asked to join the R-CALF USA staff in September 2020 as the Checkoff Petition Campaign manager. That position transcended into her current role as full time Field Director for R-CALF USA.
You can hear her almost every Friday on Your Ag Network’s Hot Barn Report that is broadcast on 60 radio stations with coverage in 9 states, where she deep dives into cattle industry issues and highlights R-CALF’s work on industry reforms. Listen to Ranch Raised on a Your Ag Network hometown station or www.youragnetwork.com where she talks about her daily life on the ranch.
Cattle producers are her people. She will meet you at the county fair, at the sale barn, or anywhere the dusty trail leads.
[email protected] or visit facebook.com/ranchraisedwithkarinajones
