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We had a nice crowd of over 300 at the Tehama County Cattlemen's Field Day at the Atwood-Wells Ranch, west of Red Bluff last Saturday.
The weather had something for everyone. It rained so hard on the metal barn roof during the morning program you could hardly hear, while there was blue sky and warm sunshine during the afternoon horse events.
John Wells and his crew had scattered sawdust over the floor of the large barn where the cattlemen's crew had set up the tables and 300 chairs for listening to the talks and dining.
The mornings educational program was informative. Josh Davy, our Farm Advisor spoke on the national identification program. He urged the ranchers to get their premise identification number and learn what is available. When it is mandatory, the ranchers will know what is available.
Tim Hugel and Bill Powell, California Highway Patrol officers in the off-highway commercial division told the ranchers that in 1996 the Motor Carrier Safety Implementation Act was signed, but it has not been enforced on pickups since that time because they were working on busses, utility trucks, etc.
A two-axle truck, including a pickup, is subject to CHP motor carrier safety regulation when it is operated in combination with a trailer other than one of the four types, (camp trailer, trailer coach, park trailer, utility trailer), and the truck and trailer exceed 40 feet in length when coupled together.
When your truck and trailer are over 40 feet in length when coupled together, you need to have a CA number from the CHP, and display it on both sides of your truck or trailer. This law has changed insurance requirements, and now you need $750,000 in insurance.
Dick O'Sullivan gave an update on the Tehama County Grazing Ordinance. The main issue is that many country roads cross through ranches that are unfenced and when they were taken into the county system they weren't fenced. That was OK in days of horse and wagon, but now the cars speed on county roads and there will be a collision between cow and car with a liability lawsuit resulting.
In Tehama County it is not a reality that cattle roam and graze, because we ranchers graze our cattle in designated areas. A 150 years ago we had open range, but no longer. There is no fencing requirement in the ordinance, but we would like to see the county roads posted for grazing in designated areas, so the speeders realize they could meet a cow on the road. Shasta County has had a grazing ordinance for a long time. It is grazing in designated areas. Tehama County Beef Ambassador Diana Talley gave her presentation on how BSE affected the beef cattle market and she helped TCCW president Jackie Baker sell the beef caps.
Barbara Frost Kloose collected the ladies guesses on the Darrel Conard Big Steer, and announced that Susan Anderson won the trophy, with 2nd to Lisa Knox and 3rd to Anne Owens.
This year it was two Angus bulls that Atwood Ranch had purchased at the Red Bluff Bull Sale, and will be flown to the Hawaiian Atwood Ranch in the near future.
Dinner tickets were sold by Butte Community Bank's Cindy Brown and Andrea White. Around the corner under the barn eaves was Doug Reed's Palomino Room bar, while Tehama 4-H was selling soft drinks.
Delicious New York steaks, beans and salad were barbecued by Marv Eckels of Cattle Country Barbecue. Hot coffee and French bread from the California Department of Forestry crew of Bob Kerstiens and Ursula Nehrer, Walter and Betsy Williams, Dan and Lana Forester and Gary Durden. Cakes, pies and brownies were served by CattleWomen members Ellen Read, Ruth Flory and Anne Read.
A large crowd enjoyed the sunshine as they watched 22 horses and riders compete in the stock horse contest judged by Skip Brown, Jill Pierre and Jan McCain while Buttons Daugherty and John Growney were watching for the outstanding ranch horse.
Dr. Roy Garlett was announcer, Tony Turri handled the stop watch, Chris Marenco tabulated the points while in the alley on horse back moving the cattle were president Matt Pritchard and Dusty deBraga. Gateman was Marty Montgomery.
Winner of the buckle and $1,000 given by Pine Creek Ranch in memory of Herman Daugherty was Cole Hook riding under the membership of John Owens. Joker, is a nine year old sorrel gelding that was top horse at the Jim Owens Memorial Ranch Rodeo in 2002. He also received the TCCA buckle and $200 for his 140.5 score.
Close behind with 139.5 points was Roy Owens also riding under the John Owens membership to receive $125. Third place and $75 to Steve Lewallen riding under the Susan and Stephen Lewallen membership with 136 points.
Also showing their stock horses this year were Thad Lewis, Grant Leininger, Clint Brewer, Ray Mueller, Tim Williams, John Baker, Jennifer Shanahan, Trent Wagner, Marie Presidio, Linsay Stanfield, Cooper Stumbaugh, Bill Hooton, Cody Ewing, Brett McGiffin, Steve Fox, Dusty de Braga and Corey McBride.
The paint branding with 11 teams was wild and western when cowboys had big ropes and caught themselves or their horse in the loop, or tripped over the rope, or the saddle slipped when they dallied. No one was hurt, but it was exciting.
First place to Pine Creek team of Justin Daugherty, Steve Fox and Grant Leininger with a time of 2.30.56 on two calves Second place to Llano Seco with Cooper Stumbaugh, John Baker and Vince Merckley, in 2.41.88. Third place to Davy Ranch with Josh Davy, Adam Davy and Trent Wagner. Fourth to the deBraga team of Dusty deBraga, Brett McGiffin, and Cole Hook. Fifth to the John Owens Ranch team of Brett McGiffin, Cole Hook and Roy Owens.
Team penning was won by Mark, Renee and Cody Ewing. Second place to Jennifer Shanahan, Marie Presidio, Cory McBride. Third place to Rich Mrofka, Mark Ewing and Bill Lewis. |
