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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (March 9, 2016)
Blue Mountain Eagle AG DAY Wednesday, March 9, 2016 A7 Contributed photo Black Angus cattle dot spacious pastures as they graze on the Mullin’s ranch below the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness. RANCHING often rely on 4-wheelers to save time while covering the acres, to get more done faster. Continued from Page A6 The new law raising the “When you’ve got live- minimum wage in Oregon stock to take care of, you hits the ranching industry, can’t just decide not to do it,” too. VKH VDLG ³7KH\ FRPH ¿UVW “We can’t afford to hire as and are even cared for before many people,” Carolyn said, anything else.” adding, “You can’t hire a kid The Mullins used to have until they’re 16.” about 300 head of their pure- She said, however, they bred cattle and are now down are luckier than many others to about 60. because they are able to use Unlike many other ranch- mostly family members. ers who are busy calving in According to Carolyn, the spring, the Mullins do other changes over time in- theirs in the fall. But animals volve the push for organic at any number and any time and natural meat, and no an- of year still have endless tibiotics. needs, and something as sim- “We have so many rules ple as a recent weekend trip and laws by people who to a bull sale in Klamath Falls don’t know what they’re do- involved arranging for peo- ing,” she said. “I don’t know ple to help with feeding and what we’re going to eat.” other chores in the Mullins’ However, the biggest ob- absence. stacle today, Carolyn said, is While they enjoy their increasing government inter- ranching way of life, Carolyn YHQWLRQ²VSHFL¿FDOO\IRUHVW said, “It’s not as fun as it used management. to be.” That’s where the future of Just getting everything ranching lies, she said, both done that needs to be done here in Grant County and is harder nowadays, she said. other rural areas throughout They used to be able to ride the West. horses to and from chores The Mullins lost 800 across the ranch, but now acres of timber and 1,000 of pasture last August from the ravages of the Canyon Creek &RPSOH[¿UH “I look at that hillside, and it’s all burnt — it’s like go- ing through a war zone now,” Carolyn said. The Mullins were using the timber they lost as a kind of bank ac- count, but now, Carolyn said, “There’s nothing.” Still, Car- olyn said, it is a wonderful place to raise a family. Being outside is what she enjoys most. In addition to the cattle, they raise chick- ens, and she tends a summer garden and does all the irri- gating at the main ranch. “I thoroughly enjoy hear- ing the birds sing and let- ting the dogs run,” she said, though she admitted the view was better before “they burned our mountain.” The Mullins have con- templated retirement, but the prospect of empty, ranch duty-free days seems a bit daunting after all these years. “What am I going to do if I don’t have cows to take care of?” Carolyn asked. Proud Sponsor of National Ag Day 03501 G r ra an y nt t C ount o un ty S t ock Sto ck G r o w ers er s “Proudly Surveying & Engineering In Grant County’s Agricultural Industry Since 1974” Sustaining Agriculture for over 100 years Ferguson Surveying Engineering Holliday Land & Livestock PO Box 519, 210 E. Main Mt. Vernon, OR 97865 Phone: (541) 932-4520 Fax: (541) 932-4430 E-mail: dfse@ortelco.net 11 We believe we are to be leaders and innovators in the fuels and fire industry, continually aspiring to the highest levels of professionalism; providing the highest quality service and product to our customers at a fair price, without compromise towards safety and excellence. To provide family wage jobs to our employees, in an environment that promotes integrity, honesty, and an excellence in work ethic built on a strong foundation that will last many generations to come, a bright light upon a hill. Where people and places have been coming together for 49 years Lori Hickerson, Principal Broker, GRI • Office: 541-575-2617 • ljh@ortelco.net Sally Knowles, Broker, GRI • Office: 541-932-4493 • sknowles@ortelco.net Babette Larson, Broker, GRI • Office: 541-987-2363 • ddwr@ortelco.net rmls.com • eastoregonrealestate.com • farmseller.com • centraloregonrealtors.com • oregonreanchandho mes.com/dukewarner Get your scouring calf back on his feet for $100 a day! Providing Grant County with quality livestock care for over 35 years. Colleen Robertson, DVM Laura Meadows, DVM 59989 HWY 26 John Day 541-932-4428
