MATAGORDA COUNTY, Texas – Texas produces more cattle than any other state -- so the beef industry is vital to our economy. With hurricane season upon us, we also know devastating storms are a reality. So how do ranchers grow their cattle healthy and strong and protect them from the threat of hurricanes? KPRC 2 news anchor Keith Garvin went on a cattle drive in Matagorda County to find out.
Keith was invited to join the ranch hands at Baer Ranch in Matagorda County. The group was led by their patriarch -- legendary ranch boss J.D. Gatson. The cows and calves need to be relocated to better grass -- and to a safer spot ahead of hurricane season.
It started with cutting -- or separating, certain calves and their mothers from the rest of the herd.
The animals that aren’t old or strong enough to make the nearly 6-mile trek are collected, so they can be hauled over in a trailer. And make no mistake -- it’s a slow, grueling, and long six miles.
This section of the ranch near the community of Sargent is in salt grass country -- closer to the coast where the soil is soft and muddy. The grass -- which is salty and gummy -- is not very nutritious for baby cows.
“That salt grass don’t grow ‘em so good,” said assistant ranch manager Don Gatson. “We move them to that better grass on higher ground to grow the calves out.”
As they trudged through the mud the horses worked hard to guide the cattle and to manage the strays that break off from time to time. And then -- perhaps the toughest part of the journey. The cows and horses have to be brought across Live Oak Creek.
The purpose of this creek crossing is two-fold. First to get 700 cows and their new calves on the other side to better feeding grounds. Secondly, in anticipation of potential storms and the hurricane season.
Greg and Reid Westmoreland are two of the owners of Baer Ranch.
“This place. Hurricane Carla, went under nine feet of water and we lost a lot,” said Greg Westmoreland. “You gotta make sure all your cattle’s gone.”
“They don’t survive if they’re not moved,” added Reid.
This is just one set of cattle that Gatson and his crew will make this season to get their cattle to higher ground. Overall the process takes two to three weeks -- up to eight or 10 hours a day.
