hello spring!

Spring is in full swing here on the farm. This time of year is always a busy time for everyone. We thought we’d give you a glimpse at some of the activities that have been going on at T-T Ranch this spring.
 
The last month has been a busy season for the cattle side of our operation. We have been checking pasture fences, branding calves, hauling mommas and babies out to pastures greening with the first new grass of the season. The start of a new life cycle is underway as well. We started artificially inseminating (AI) heifers the second week of May, followed by a group of cows the end of that week, and the bulls went out to the pasture the following week. We still have one more group of heifers to AI the last week of May, then it’s up to the bulls to take care of their business. 
 
Planting is well underway on the farm as well. We are finally back in the field after a few days of no activity because it was too wet. We are all done planting corn, durum and barley. After last Friday, May 18, we are about 75 percent done planting soybeans. It will be slow going to get the last 25 percent of the soybeans planted, because those acres are extremely wet. Pinto beans are back in our crop rotation for the first time in three years. We haven’t started plantings the pinto beans yet, but hope to get started in the next week. Most acres were in really good shape this year, but there is definitely more water than last year. This year we didn’t start seeding until May 3. In 2016 we were completely done with planting by May 14. Our small grain acres are a little lower this year due to wet fields and fewer small grain contracts. Corn and soybeans acres stayed close to the same.
 
As you can see, it takes a lot of time and effort from everyone to get the crops planted and cattle out to pasture. Even the youngest Topp family members get to help with the springtime activities.