Jess and I have been very busy this past month. My unusual shift schedule happened to have days off during the weekends for the last several weeks, so we were able to work together on the ranch. This is literally the first chance I've had to post anything. Here is a very concise update on the status of things.
- All of the 830' by 20' fence line have been cut in the overgrown area. All but approximately 200 feet have been completely cleared. The remaining 200 feet are felled tree trunks that need to be moved.
- 2786 feet of electric fence posts have been installed. This includes two end H-braces, three corner H-braces, all of the fiber-glass posts, and one 6' by 8' steel gate. I've also finished installing two of the four 12.5 gauge HT wires. Once I install the other two wires, that part will be done.
- Three water-anchored posts have had their steel bases fabricated.
- A new steel tip for my 8 inch wide auger big has been fabricated and works very well.
- All remaining wooden posts and H-braces have been installed for the next 800' of woven-wire fence.
- The pair of 6' by 8' steel gates have been installed at the vehicle entrance of our ranch.
- We've placed an order for a 24' steel cattle trailer from Delta trailer company. It should be ready in a few months.
Remaining on our list of thing to finish before we can get the first bison are:
- Finish removing the last 200' of trees from the fence line.
- Install four end h-braces, one corner h-brace, a second gate, and the four wires for the rest of the electric fence.
- Finish and install the the three water-anchored posts for the water-accessible portion of the electric fencing.
- Install the electric fence charger.
If we are able to accomplish these remaining tasks in the next month or two, we should be ready for bison this fall.
A few other things to update:
- We have a flock of at least 15 wild turkeys hanging around the ranch.
- The two strong beehives one our ranch are still active and seem to be in the middle of a honey flow.
- All of the 830' by 20' fence line have been cut in the overgrown area. All but approximately 200 feet have been completely cleared. The remaining 200 feet are felled tree trunks that need to be moved.
- 2786 feet of electric fence posts have been installed. This includes two end H-braces, three corner H-braces, all of the fiber-glass posts, and one 6' by 8' steel gate. I've also finished installing two of the four 12.5 gauge HT wires. Once I install the other two wires, that part will be done.
- Three water-anchored posts have had their steel bases fabricated.
- A new steel tip for my 8 inch wide auger big has been fabricated and works very well.
 |
| The 8" diameter auger bit had been severely worn down, so cut, bent, and welded a 1/2" piece of steel, so that it could be bolted over the remaining tip. One-quarter-inch hardened steel edges could then be bolted to the 1/2" steel and replaced when they wore down. This new tip has a slightly more aggressive cut than the old, worn-down tip did. It's still manageable, but would probably be dangerous if the auger didn't have a safety brake. |
- All remaining wooden posts and H-braces have been installed for the next 800' of woven-wire fence.
- The pair of 6' by 8' steel gates have been installed at the vehicle entrance of our ranch.
- We've placed an order for a 24' steel cattle trailer from Delta trailer company. It should be ready in a few months.
Remaining on our list of thing to finish before we can get the first bison are:
- Finish removing the last 200' of trees from the fence line.
- Install four end h-braces, one corner h-brace, a second gate, and the four wires for the rest of the electric fence.
- Finish and install the the three water-anchored posts for the water-accessible portion of the electric fencing.
- Install the electric fence charger.
If we are able to accomplish these remaining tasks in the next month or two, we should be ready for bison this fall.
A few other things to update:
- We have a flock of at least 15 wild turkeys hanging around the ranch.
- The two strong beehives one our ranch are still active and seem to be in the middle of a honey flow.
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| The flower that all the bees are after now appears to be Lespedeza capitata or "roundhead lespedeza." Everywhere I go on the ranch I see this plant in bloom and several of my bees buzzing around it. |
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| A Luna Moth. |