Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Wards Earn Farm Family Honors (cont)

e are wormed twice each year, and dusted for insect control.

Each spring the cattle are dehorned, castrated and vaccinated for black leg.

At the same time, they are given a growth hormone implant in the ear. The calves are then branded with a "W" and the last number of their birth year.

All calves are weaned in September and October.

The cows are given numbered ear tags, recording their calving dates and sex.

Some of their cattle are sold at local and area sale barns, while some heifers are sold through private treaties. The Wards have also sold cattle through television satellite auctions. They also send about 100 head annually to a feed yard in Oklahoma, retaining ownership.

To keep track of their operation, the Wards utilize the Cooperative Extension System's Farm Record Book. One is used for farming, and another for personal expenses. These books are kept in balance and audited annually by a certified public accountant.