East River Branding
May 16, 2012
Branding calves is a ritual on most West River ranches. However, East River cowboys and farmers in Yankton County enjoy an annual branding near Utica because Newt Hicks — born and raised West River near Philip — married Carol Tacke, a Utica farm girl, many years ago and brought his branding irons when he came to corn country. Here are scenes from this year's roundup.
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Brandings always begin with a noisy separation of calves from the mother cows. -
Some of the sorting can't be done on horseback. -
Two dozen friends and neighbors came to the Hicks ranch to help, to watch and to play. -
Liz and Nate Hicks wrestled a calf so their dad, Newt, could apply the brand. -
Terry Anstine helped rope the calves. -
The bawling calves were branded, vaccinated and given a quick health check — then sent on their way. -
Some of the calves belong to the Hicks' three children — Liz, Nate and Matt — and that accounted for the numerous branding irons in the propane-fueled fire.
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