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Cowboys follow a set of codes during branding season that makes the work flow efficiently.

By Ross Hecox

Spring works involve a swirl of activity. Cowboys gather large pastures, trail the herd into a set of corrals, and then brand, castrate and vaccinate the calves. Most traditional outfits in the Southwest rope calves by their hind feet and drag them to a fire, where two flankers set them on the ground and hold them while other cowboys administer shots and mark them with a hot iron.

The Babbitt Ranches crew, which numbers between 12 and 20 hands, spends several weeks working their calves during May and June. Clay Rodgers, the manager of the historic cow-calf operation located near Flagstaff, Arizona, says that spring works flow faster and smoother when everyone understands the job, works hard and follows a cowboy code.

“It’s real critical to have good organization and people knowing what they’re doing,” Rodgers says. “There are codes we follow in the branding pen, and the one that means the most to me is to stay alert and pay attention.”

It may sound basic, but it applies to the youngest, oldest, most inexperienced and handiest members of the crew.

“The guys that are flanking, they need to pay attention to the guy dragging the calves,” Rodgers says. “You never know what kind of wreck you might get into. Somebody might be dragging calves and rimfire a horse, and the horse just takes off. You don’t want to get run over.”

When trailing the herd or pushing it into the corral, Rodgers has seen riders get distracted or careless, and it opens the door for chaos.

“When you’re trying to pen a set of cattle, if one guy is not paying attention and keeping his hole, you’ve got a spot that’s left wide open,” he explains. “A calf might slip through it, and then that guy takes off and starts chasing that calf all over the place. He has also left a hole that someone else has to fill. The biggest thing I stress to the greener guys and kids is always be looking in every direction and filling your hole.”

Clay Rodgers (left) appreciates a crew that knows its job and stays alert.

Rodgers appreciates cowboys who accept whatever assignment the boss gives, follow instructions and hustle in their job. He expects ropers to catch calves by both hind legs below their hocks before dragging them to the fire to prevent injuries. He also wants them to work quietly near the front edge of the herd as much as possible, not immediately push to the backside and create a big disturbance.

“When you get those guys that go to the back of the herd, chasing one calf around, it just takes forever,” he says. “It’s real critical to pay attention to where your cattle are when you’re dragging, and work from the front of the herd to the back. And if there are two ropers, they need to stay on their side of the herd.”

Most managers put a lot of thought into how they assign duties each day, matching up certain skill levels and abilities.

“When I’m getting ready for spring works, I like to figure out what my guys will be doing, and think about what type of horses they’re riding,” Rodgers says. “I might have two guys flanking one day, and the next day those same two will probably be dragging calves. I put a lot of thought into making sure everybody is at least getting a turn at dragging calves. If there’s a guy riding one of our 3-year-olds [owned by Babbitts], I’m going to put him in there to drag at least 15 or 20 calves, because I want to see how much ability that colt has. The work is getting him broke, too.”

Spring works find a rhythm and efficiency when the crew takes orders and executes the plan their boss has in place. Despite being particular, Rodgers has welcomed all kinds of help during branding season, from kids to wannabe cowboys. He says they usually fit right in and figure out what to do if they simply adopt his primary code.

“Someone can be the greenest guy in the world,” Rodgers says. “If he’s paying attention and hustling, I can get more done with that guy than the one that thinks he knows everything but won’t wake up to do his job. If someone is willing to try and pay attention, I sure like working those type of people. They’re wanting to learn.” ★

This article appears in the Spring 2024 issue of Ranch Record. Would you like to read more stories about NRHC and ranching life? When you become a member of the Ranching Heritage Association, you’ll receive the award-winning Ranch Record magazine and more while supporting the legacy and preservation of our ranching heritage. Become a member today.