A10
Ag Day
Blue Mountain Eagle
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
FAMILY
Continued from Page A9
“They get a good work
ethic out of it,” he said. “It
gets them out of the house,
and you can turn work into
fun if you do it right.”
Some of the duties for
the older boys include help-
ing feed cattle and moving
pipes, as well as assisting
when tags and vaccinations
are done.
Ethan likes to practice
roping, and he showed a 4-H
hog last year for the first time
at the Grant County Fair.
Brandon said his kids are
given their own cows when
they earn it and, after car-
ing for the animals, enjoy
receiving a calf check at the
end of the year.
Sydney said some of their
best times together, and a
favorite for her boys, have
been being on horseback in
the summertime to check
on cattle spread over 20,000
acres of land, sometimes
having a family campout.
The Thompsons have
faced their share of challeng-
es, along with other Grant
County ranchers, including
drought conditions, low-
er sales prices and a higher
death loss with calves.
When a winter cold snap
hit, the family frequently
brought newborn calves in
their home to warm up by the
wood stove.
During haying season,
Brandon said it’s not unusual
for him to punch in a 20-hour
day.
“It’s not always gravy
train,” he said. “Everything
has its challenges. There are
a lot of struggles. It’s just
a good way of life in my
mind.”
The Eagle/Angel Carpenter
Carson Thompson kicks the hay off the trailer, helping his father, Brandon, feed cows.
Brandon Thompson
ranches with his family in
Dayville.
The Thompson boys, from left, Tyler, Ethan and
Carson, ride up top on the hay bales for the afternoon
feeding at the ranch.
Ethan Thompson bottle-
feeds a calf an electrolyte
mixture while it is recovering
from an illness, as his sister
McKenzie plays nearby.
Three-year-old McKenzie
Thompson smiles as she
passes by in the tractor
with her father, Brandon.
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Grant County Extension
Growing the next generation
of agriculturalists
Youth gain knowledge,
develop life skills, and form
positive attitudes to
prepare them to become
capable, responsible
and compassionate adults.