By Tyler Trieglaff

Notes from the Chief

Weaning tags were pulled last Thursday and the calves were separated from the cows. Pulling the weaning tags requires another time though the chute but studies have shown that the two-stage weaning process is much less stressful on the calves.  

I will confidently say that we have not had a sick calf due to weaning since we started with the weaning tags several years ago. The calf is locked in the headgate and the tag is removed. If you can imagine the snottiest slimy boogers, chunks of feed and saliva all mixed into one spot, this is what is sliming around on each weaning tag.  

I used rubber gloves this year to take the tags out, just have to remember not to scratch my nose during the process. The tags are collected and I wash them in the washing machine and we will reuse them next year.

We also separated off the eight open cows and they will be burger on a plate somewhere soon. We have one open heifer that we will fatten for 60 days then have butchered and sell to family or friends. 

I just learned from our nutritionist that the 60 days feeding on a high corn concentrate diet will move the beef animal from the “yellow fat” stage into the “white fat” stage. This is where the marbling comes from that makes the steaks taste oh so good. 

Proper finishing of the beef animal is crucial and we have started to do that on the farm. Most of the time we sell the calves at the 700-900 pound range and they are fattened at a feedlot somewhere else. I anticipate we will keep 4-6 steers and fatten them on the farm to be sold privately. The steers we will keep back are as good quality as any of the others, they are just different colors.  

Cattle buyers like uniformity when they buy feeder calves. Buyers at the auction want similar sized calves to match up from other farms. These will be put into a feedlot with others the same size so the pen will all grow and finish/fatten at the same time.  

Most of our calves are black as they come from black bulls although we did use a red Simmental bull this year. Black is the dominant gene in cattle but occasionally the recessive sneaks through. We have a couple red white face calves, one Charolais/white steer, and a couple light brown calves. These would most likely get separated and bring a lower price at the sale barn so we will keep them and fatten them to 1,200-1,500 ourselves.  

Friday, Oct. 28

12:36 a.m. Welfare check requested on mother and kids, reporting party was ok that it wait until morning.

10:23 a.m. 911 hang-up reported, turned into a suicidal related call.

12:05 p.m. Report of possible harassment.  

12:42 p.m. Disturbance reported on W Main Ave. Family dispute.

3:26 p.m. Report of a lady walking her dog and other dogs became aggressive as she was walking by the yard. Other dog owner talked to about leash law.

Saturday, Oct. 29

4:20 p.m. Attempt to locate vehicle coming from Otter Tail County on US 10. UTL.

5:15 p.m. Assist with driving complaint on Frazee Road. 4 teenage boys on their ATV’s and dirtbikes given warnings for driving conduct.

5:32 p.m. Report of kids and adults in the roadway on W. Maple Ave and in the way of vehicles.

Sunday, Oct. 30

4 p.m. Officers got to hang out and hand out candy at the Trunk or Treat at the Lutheran church in town. Lots of kiddos showed up!!

5:42 p.m. Welfare check on an adult male on Co Hwy 10 who was acting strange. Male was well known to officers and declined assistance. He was allowed to be on his way.

Monday, Oct. 31

9:59 a.m. Assist with a medical/welfare check.

10:59 a.m. Parents reporting a 16 yr. old son as a runaway.

1:11 p.m. Report of a small grass fire on Balsam Ave. The hose draggers were able to extinguish the blaze.

2:33 p.m. Officer served a trespass notice on behalf of the Third Crossing Bar and Lounge.

4:40 p.m. Tenant reporting suspicious activity in her apartment building. More of a landlord issue and she already talked to him.

5:23 p.m. Officers assisted and participated in the UCB Halloween parade. What a wonderful turnout!

8:10 p.m. Report of construction vehicles running the stop sign on W. Maple Ave. Crew foreman was notified.

Tuesday, Nov. 1

10:05 a.m. Assist with a medical/welfare check.

11:57 a.m. Female reporting that the vehicle she gave to a male party to fix has not been returned. Female unsure when she gave the vehicle to the male, officer saw him driving it last week, and she wants it back and she dropped the insurance on the vehicle. Attempt to locate placed on the vehicle.

11:59 a.m. Assist another agency with looking for a vehicle/suspect from their jurisdiction.    Officer called Sgt. requesting the information and let him know we did not find the vehicle or suspect.

12:10 p.m. Male party reporting the theft of a small yellow garden wagon with a wooden handle.  

12:39 p.m. Assist with a medical alarm. Turned out to be an accidental push.

3:28 p.m. Assist with a medical.

5:04 p.m. Parking complaint with a vehicle parked partially blocking the new sidewalk on S. Lake St.

5:34 p.m. Assist with a medical.

Wednesday, Nov. 2

7:30 a.m. Assist a parent with locating juvenile left home and got a ride to Frazee overnight. Officer talked to the youngster and told him to talk with a counselor or social worker before he has to visit with a probation officer.

4:58 p.m. Officer received a call from a mother who was concerned there may be an issue with her ex as she was dropping one of the kids off. The ex lives out of town so out of our jurisdiction.  Officer gave advice to possibly call the county if she felt the need or just drop the kiddo off at the driveway similar to the bus and let the ex know her intentions.

7:02 p.m. Report of a lost dog by the high school. Dog was returned to owner.

8:22 p.m. Vehicle unlock on Red Willow Drive.