By Tyler Trieglaff

Notes from the Chief

We are down to three cows left to calve. Two new babies this week and one more very close. We brought one cow back to join the main herd. Last year, she calved on Aug. 18 and this year she calved on June 20. That is a two-month difference, which is very hard to make up.  

We like the cows to calve at similar times, April and May, so the calves are of the same size and ages when they go to the sales ring. Some years ago, this cow ended up having a late calf and she caught herself up. No hamburger grinder for her yet.  

You will be happy to know that all of our bulls passed their Bull Soundness Exams with a satisfactory rating. One bull had the minimum score on sperm motility, but passed the other criteria. We could retest, but most likely he had a “rusty shot” being it was the first one of the year.

Haying season is in full swing and I put 384 bales through the round baler so far. These bales are between 900-1,000 pounds and are 4-feet by 5-feet. We have about 200 acres to go with the first crop and those 200 acres usually get harvested only once.  

We are way ahead of last year’s drought number of 410 bales. The year before we put up about 750 bales and I think we will be close to that number again. 

Haying season means almost bi-weekly trips to the dealership for parts. Again, we are so thankful that the dealer is only 12 miles away. Speaking of the machinery dealer, I learned a couple things last week when I was there.  

We all know that machinery comes in all sorts of different colors. Red, green, blue, orange, black and several combinations. Here is a tidbit of wisdom I picked up while there, sort of an acronym/matching game for farm machinery. 

I am not picking on any one brand because we have several different kinds ourselves. Here is the analogy.  Blue has always been associated with a first-place ribbon at the county fair. We know that red is second, the first loser. White is usually third and yellow fourth. Does that mean green is in fifth place? That’s what I was thinking until it was brought to my attention that the green ribbons also stand for something else…yep, that green is the color of your participation trophy/ribbon.  

Have a good week.  

Friday, June 17

10:54 a.m. Female with questions about a car she sold and whether it was still in her name. 

11:27 a.m. Welfare check requested on an elderly female.

2:38 p.m. Vehicle unlock just into Otter Tail County.

8:32 p.m. Teenage male reported getting threats from a friend. Officer talked with both involved and told them to grow up and knock off the petty arguing.

Saturday, June 18

10:44 p.m. Argument near the gas station involving the boys from above call. A deputy just happened to be driving by or one of the boys was about to get the “what for” from an older and bigger friend of one of the boys. The Frazee officer let both involved have it again and told them to knock it off or there could be possible charges.

Sunday, June 19

6:58 p.m. Report of an assault at the gas station. Two males fighting over a female. Under investigation.

Monday, June 20

8:07 p.m. Report of kids playing in the street on East Maple and not being respectful of vehicles.

Wednesday, June 22

5:10 p.m. Tree down and partially blocking lane on South River Drive. Officer chainsawed up the tree and cleared the road.  

6:01 p.m. Assist with a medical.

10:29 p.m. Report of a wrong way driver on US Hwy 10. Unable to locate.

Thursday, June 23

5:18 p.m. Report that kids were riding their bikes off the dock at the beach. Call was left on the machine at the office so officer did not see the kids playing Duke Boys off the dock.

5:24 p.m. Report of a disturbance at the beach. Male and female arguing and had left before the officer arrived.