Branding: A ranching tradition

<p>ALL HANDS-ON DECK: Each calf is brought from the herd at pasture to be branded. A group effort helps to keep calves safe and still during this process.</p>

<p>CALF CARE: Pairs are gathered from the pasture at the beginning of the morning. The calves are brought into a corral to be sorted, checked for diseases, and then branded and vaccinated.</p>

<p>DONE AT ONCE: To reduce stress on calves, bull calves are castrated after receiving their brand. This way, they can be turned right back onto pasture after receiving all of their care in a matter of minutes.</p>

<p>PERMANENT ID: The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association has over 21,000 registered brands in the state. The brand helps to identify and track cattle back to their home ranch.</p>

<p>GATHERING: After calves are separated into a corral, ropers will catch each calf and bring them over to the branding iron. Here, Calby Hanson readies her loop to catch a calf out of the group.</p>

<p>ASSIGNED JOBS: With the work to be done during the day’s branding, each person has their own assigned role to help the day go smoothly. Here, Lexie Peters is on the ready to administer vaccines to the calves.</p>

<p>RAIN OR SHINE: Coordinating branding help, gathering the cattle and preparing supplies means that a branding day will often happen as long as there aren’t extreme weather issues expected. A cool, dreary day helps to reduce calf and cattle stress.</p>

<p>PUT ON YOUR WORKBOOTS: Friends, family and neighboring ranchers all come out to help with the day’s works. Even the youngest members of the group put on their boots and help out with the day’s events.</p>