The Rural Voice, 2002-12, Page 37just tum them out could cause chaos.
They would kick up their heels and
stampede. Dad would turn the calves
loose into the fenced barnyard for a
few days and then untie six or eight
of the yearling steers and heifers
each day to join them. He would feed
them a mixture of loose hay and less
oats each day to get them ready for
pasture. Then on the appointed day,
usually about the end of April, the
cattle would be herded to the grass
farm.
For a few years our grass farm
was the Armstrong farm about a mile
and a half down the road. Today it is
better known as the Wingham Golf
and Curling Club. Taking the cattle to
the grass farm was an adventure.
Kids were especially helpful. The
cattle were herded down the road by
Dad while the neighbour kids and I
stopped them from straying up
laneways or turning the wrong
corner.
t was a game of leapfrog. One or
two kids always had to get ahead
of the cattle and then stand in the
gateways to keep them out while the
next contingent had to run past the
We kids became valuable
when it was time
to move cattle
cattle for the next gateways.
Each of us carried some sort of
stick. Once in a while the cattle
would stampede or a frisky steer
would take a run at one of us. When
that happened you dropped your stick
and high -tailed it over or through the
nearest fence. I think the purpose of
the stick was to mark the spot you
left from.
Often one or two cattle would race
up somebody's lane and have to be
rounded up to rejoin the herd. There
was a lot less traffic on the country
roads and a lot more fences. The
neighbours were always out to help
when they saw a herd coming down
the road. Mother's role was to take
our Model A Ford down the road,
park just past Armstrong's gateway
and turn the herd into the correct
laneway.
Not all of the herd went to pasture.
Each year Dad would have about 10
or 12 fat cattle ready to go to market.
These cattle would be walked slowly
the four miles to the stockyards at
Another Christmas
NiRK
And wed like to say thanks for helping to keep us
on a roll! With best wishes for a merry season.
Happy Holidays from Matt, George, Dan, Wes, J.C. & Carrie
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From the staff at
The Rural Voice
Magazine
DECEMBER 2002 33
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