Branding in the Bitterroot!

The weather has warmed up, baby calves are racing through the fields with their tails straight up in the air, and the mama cows’ hormones have finally settled (which means they’re not quite as determined to kill you every time you so much as glance in their calves’ direction). Branding season is officially upon us!

If you’ve seen my video about calving season, you’ll remember that I called it Montana’s sixth season and my favorite. Well, I spoke too soon—because I forgot about branding season, which is my real favorite!

If you ever get invited to a branding, consider it a huge honor. Ranchers tend to invite only their friends whom they consider handy. It requires efficient teamwork to rope, brand, vaccinate and deworm. It's dirty, physical, and fast-paced (until it isn’t, then you better be fast when you need to be). Drifting on the dusty air will be the rank aroma of singed hair and hide, the beller of cattle, and probably cusswords.

In the midst of the work there is plenty of fun. Sometimes there'll be an impromptu (but not unexpected) rodeo if there's a cowboy training a young colt to be a great ranch mount, or someone might be learning to rope or flip calves for their first time, or maybe one of the little kids in the bunch decides to see how long they can ride a calf. And, of course, it’s the perfect opportunity to find out who in your crew has “texture issues” when the fried Rocky Mountain Oysters come off the branding fire.

Aside from all the fun, spring branding serves a practical purpose: it identifies cattle. Before turning cattle out to pasture for the summer, it is wise to have them marked. As your herd grows in numbers, you can get to a point where the cattle all start to look the same. Without an identifying brand, sorting them all out can be a challenge, especially if they get mixed in with those of a neighboring herd or if you share a lease with a friend.

A brand also deters theft. When cattle are brought to the sale barn there is a strict policy on presenting a brand inspection. If someone shows up with cattle that don’t belong to them, a registered brand can be the key to getting your cattle back.

Theft is more common than you'd think, especially with today’s high cattle prices. In addition to its practical value, branding coincides with vital herd health activities.

You can buy and sell unique brands, but designing your own is better! All registered brands must be approved by the Montana Department of Livestock. Approval considers the design, its location on the animal, and the county in which your bovine friends reside. The department’s website explains brand design features and has a book of registered brands, where you can look up ownership details or find inspiration for your own design.

Brands are often passed down through generations, each mark telling a story of resilience and family legacy. I am proud of the work that has gone into builing my small but growing herd and every time I see my brand on one of our cattle, I’m reminded of how blessed we are to live this Bitterroot way of life.

Kelly and whiskey

Branding Irons in the fire

Kyla Branding