By Tyler Trieglaff

Notes from the Chief

Cows and calves have been moved to their summer pastures. The herd is brought into the feed bunk and then we find mama and calf by their matching ear tags. They are put into a separate pen until we have 10 pairs then we start sorting for another group.  

We kept the two groups separate overnight and Friday morning we hauled each group to its pasture. One group only had nine pairs as one calf escaped, and we could not wrangle her back in, so we let mama go. She had a slight limp anyways so maybe it’s better that she stays home.  The calves are separated from the cows to load onto the trailer.  

The calves get loaded on the trailer and then I go in and each calf gets a pinkeye vaccine and I mark them with a paint stick as they get their shot. Then the 10 cows are herded into the long chute and each cow gets a pinkeye vaccine and a dose of wormer on their back. The cows are lined up nose to tail so it is very convenient to vaccinate and pour them. We also check to make sure all cows have two ear tags in case they lose one.  

The headgate is then opened up and the cows are loaded into the trailer. They are pretty willing to get on the trailer because they seem to know that is where their babies are. The trailer we have is a 30’ aluminum and it has two doors inside to make up to three compartments. The calves are locked in the front bay so they are safe from the cows. The trailer size is about perfect for hauling 10 pairs.  

Once we get to the greener pastures, the back door is opened and the cows walk out and the calves are right behind them. It only takes a minute or two and they are back together with their mama. Minerals will need to be brought to the pasture as well as a mineral feeder. We also have a fly rub and scratching setup that will be in each pasture. The mineral feeder and back scratcher can be moved pretty easily side-by-side when the cattle are moved to a new pasture as part of the rotation plan.  

Hopefully, we will get 15 pairs moved to a new pasture Friday and Saturday. We will have about 25 pairs left at the home farm to move about on the new rotation program. We have been trying new things on the farm the last few years and it is not easy to change. I found a quote several years ago that I firmly believe in, “the six most expensive words in farming are, ‘We’ve always done it this way.”

Thursday, May 25

11:23 p.m. Assist with a disturbance that happened in Detroit Lakes. Five juvenile boys and two young adult males were issued disorderly conduct tickets for fighting.

Friday, May 26

8:43 p.m. Warning given to 5 kids who were trespassing on railroad property and not crossing at the designated area. 

Saturday, May 27

2:38 a.m. Assist with a medical.

Sunday, May 28

7:44 p.m. Assist with a traffic stop on Co. Hwy. 29.

10:47 p.m. Assist with a medical.

Monday, May 30

8:08 a.m. Report from a neighbor who was walking on private land that there was suspicious activity on someone else’s property. Officer let the landowner know of the concern. No concerns from the police.

9:29 p.m. Report of a missing flag from a light pole on S. Lake St.

10:33 a.m. Report of a semi tractor and trailer that hit some wires in town, causing damage to a house. Otter Tail Power was on scene to repair the damage.

Tuesday, May 31

8:37 a.m. Background checks for local business.

10:37 a.m. Female reporting possible harassment regarding photos posted on social media. Officer gave advice as to options.

4:35 p.m. Resident reporting a dog in their neighborhood that has been out. They did not want officer to talk to dog owner yet as they would try to handle the situation.

8:33 p.m. Report of a small black chihuahua loose on E. Main Ave. Dog has been on the run for a week or so and no one can get close.

9:17 p.m. Assist with a 911 hang-up in the county close to town. Officer found a female who was mowing the lawn and had the phone in her brassiere. B**b dial not a butt dial that accidentally called 911 a couple times. 

10:13 p.m. Report of young kids playing by the water tower and new football field. Officer talked with the four young boys and warned about curfew violations which is 9:30 p.m. for 15 and under and midnight for 16 and 17. The boys were very respectful and three walked to the house they were staying close by and the officer gave the other a ride home.

Thursday, June 1

9:50 p.m. Vandalism/graffiti reported at the Lion’s Park. A large 6’ male appendage was spray painted in red on an outside wall of the bathrooms. Unknown when it exactly happened. If anyone has information, please call the PD at (218) 334-4993.