Photo Story - Weaver Family/ Nye Ranch

The Weaver Family have been selling cows since 1999 and ranching for more than they can remember. They have been all over the state originally starting in Brownsmead Oregon to now, Crook County Oregon right outside of a small town called Prineville. They own a beautiful ranch that has been passed down 2 generations, it is called Nye Ranch. There's many things you need to do in order to keep a ranch in tip top shape but it's more important for the animals to be the healthiest and safest they can be.

The Weaver family takes their jobs very seriously when it comes to taking care of the animals. This includes vaccinations, branding, and tagging. Vaccinating prevents diseases and airborne illnesses. Most common vaccines for cattle are an immunity shot, BVD, IBR, and a pinkeye prevention. According to Katelynn Weaver, branding and tagging represent the same thing. Both are to differentiate the cattle and the owners to help separate. But branding also makes it harder for cattle to be stolen from ranches. 

Katelynn Weaver and Craig Weaver running cows through the cattle chute to be branded, tagged and vaccinated. All very important factors when it comes to ranching and selling cattle at the Nye Ranch on November 31. 

Isaac Goozee is the husband of one of the Weaver sisters. He has been a part of the family for 10 years. With ranching it takes a lot of people to get the jobs complete in the limited amount of time they have in the season. Goozee is holding a baby calf so it can be tagged and vaccinated at the Nye Ranch on November 30. Some of the cattle chutes are too small for the calves so they take action with their hands.  

 

Isaac Goozee is ear-tagging a Black Angus/Simi Bull at the Nye Ranch on November 30. A black angus cow is easily identified by its solid black color, compacted body, and short legs. Each cow is placed into the chute and held securely to insure it is the safest way for the procedure.

Isaac Goozee, branding a calf on the left hip so that you can identify who the calf belongs to. This was on November 31 at the Nye Ranch. Branding is one of the most common ways of identification for livestock.

6 black Angus/Simmental cows being fed grass hay in the afternoon on November 30 at the Nye Ranch. 

Grass-fed hay is important for cattle because it's their natural diet and provides the nutrients they need to thrive.

Jake, the horse on the left is a chestnut gelding and Sunny, the horse on the right is a palomino gelding.  Both quarter horses and that are walking toward the gate getting ready to be saddled on November 31.