It sounds so simple: Neighbors helping neighbors get a job done. For some folks, that might sound old-fashioned. But for ranchers in Nebraska’s cattle country, it is just the way things are.
The photo “Cowboy Branding” received the “This is Nebraska” award at the Nebraska State Fair in September. Using a Nikon D3100 camera with a Tamron lens (18-400 mm, F/3.5-6.3), photographer Robyn Koelling captured Luke Staab roping a calf during branding time with neighbors in Mira Valley, south of Ord in Valley County.
“Spring branding is a time for ranchers of this valley to take turns working livestock,” Koelling says. “Each rancher decides on a date to brand calves, lets the neighbors know, and the cowboys and cowgirls in the neighborhood show up to help.
“This is a time we all look forward to — not only to accomplish this necessary task, but also for the fellowship that takes place when we go back to the house and have a dinner fit for royalty. We catch up on the news of the day, family activities, aches and pains. But mostly, we laugh and tell stories of happenings of this last year and years past. Memories.”
All ages in the neighborhood participate in this yearly ranch ritual. “At the end of the day, the task is complete, stomachs are full, hearts are happy, and we look forward to the next neighbor’s branding and repeat the process until all the calves are worked,” Koelling says. “We change hats to get ready for the next stage of spring, which is usually planting, growing the food to feed the cattle that feed the world.”
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