Cattle as Grazers

Unloading Cattle

Around mid April, cattle unload one at a time from the semi trailers.	Ranch Management Caretaker Gene Matile, watches for sick or injured steers, while counting each head.	Cattle awaiting instructions before going to separate pastures to graze.

As they have been doing for over 100 years, cattle are grazing on the lush bluestem grass of the Flint Hills. Stephen F. Jones saw the value of these prairie grasses over a century ago and chose to make Chase County, Kansas his base of operation starting in 1878. It was his plan to have a two-fold operation, both a farm and stock ranch. He named his ranch the Spring Hill Farm and Stock Ranch for the plentiful running spring found on the hill behind his 11 room Second Empire limestone ranch house. Mr. Jones raised Hereford, Polled Angus, and Durham cattle. This was over a century ago and things haven't changed much, except that cattle are now loaded onto large semi trucks and transported to their next destination, instead of by railroad car. Also today, many mixed breeds graze on the lush Flint Hill grasses. What once bison grazed, now cattle help promote diversity in the prairie.

Here at the historic Spring Hill / Z Bar Ranch, cattle graze for 90 days at the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. Cattle can gain over two pounds per day on the lush and nutrient rich grasses of the prairie. In the photos above, the cattle are being "unloaded from the trucks one at a time," says ranch caretaker Gene Matile. Mr. Matile is responsible for counting how many head of cattle are off-loaded from the trucks, while keeping a careful eye to watch for sick or injured steers. Once the cattle are unloaded into the holding pens, they are then moved to various pastures where they graze and fatten before being sent to feedlots. During this time, Gene is responsible for taking care of the cattle by feeding mineral supplement, administering medicine as needed, and making sure the cattle remain in the pastures. Even before this cycle begins, he is responsible for burning last season's dead prairie grasses, that will in turn promote new growth.

Loading Cattle

Starting in mid July, cattle are gathered and loaded back onto the semi trucks for shipment to various feedlots. Below are some photos from several days of "gatherin" in the Flint Hills at the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. These modern day cowboys utilize many of the same whistles, calls, and horsemanship techniques that have been used for centuries. Imagine the sounds made by the cattle and cowboys, as both go about their daily routine that has found its place in the hearts, minds, and mystique of life as a cattleman. As the cattle make their way from far northern pastures to the loading pens, their low bauls are met by the gentle sounds and calls of the cowboys as they are driven to their next destination.

Semi truck waiting for cattle to load.	Cattle waiting their turn in the holding pens.

Cattle making their way to the loading chute, while cowboys "push" cattle through the loading chute and onto the truck. Gene Matile, Norm Wilson, Bruce Brock and others assist in pushing and encouraging the cattle through the loading chutes and onto the cattle trucks.

Cattle being encouraged to move forward through the loading chute.
A dusty, dirty job in the loading pens today. Cowboys get an early start to the day.