Connor’s Cowboy Corner: First Cattle Working of the Year
Howdy folks,
Welcome back to this week’s Cowboy Corner. I’m Connor McCauley—a former Colorado ski bum turned Texas rancher after I married my wife, Helen, a fifth-generation rancher herself.
This week, we’re switching things up a bit. Instead of going through the whole week, I want to take you along for Saturday’s cattle working—our first of the year. And let me just say… you really need to check out the YouTube video. If you're reading this newsletter, that’s great—but you’ve got to watch the video. It’s beautiful, chaotic, and full of tradition. And if you enjoy it, please hit subscribe so we can keep growing our channel and spreading the word about what ranching is really all about.
If you are going to read only one part of this newsletter please read the why we do it section and share it with everyone you can. It is very important. Thank you!
Early Mornings & Biscuits
Helen and I headed out to the ranch Friday evening to be ready for a 5:30 AM start. When we woke up, Sam was already up and cooking breakfast—he’d been at it since 5 AM. He whipped up a feast of bacon, biscuits, gravy, and eggs for all the cowboys.
As we sipped coffee and waited for the crew to arrive, the usual cowboy banter started. We all shared a few laughs, said a prayer, and enjoyed breakfast together before gearing up for the day.
Saddled Up
Now here’s where it gets fun. This time around, I actually got to help. And I’ll be honest—it’s hilarious watching a former ski bum try to be a Texas cowboy. No cowboy hat, no chaps, not even real boots. But they let me ride anyway.
Aaron helped me saddle up, and we loaded the horses into the trailer. We hit the road just as the sun rose over the canyon—absolutely stunning.
Along the way, we dropped off cowboys at strategic points around the ranch to help gather the cattle. Aaron and I headed out to the pens, unloaded our horses, and rode out—me on Pepper (the beginner’s dream horse) and Aaron on Lariat.
We looped around the pastures looking for stray moms and calves to bring in. At one point, a calf broke off and bolted across the pasture. I kicked Pepper into a gallop and cut it off—got it turned around and back through the gate. It was a small victory, but I’ll take it.
Working the Herd
Once we gathered the herd, we pushed them into the pens and started separating moms from calves. The pens are split in two—one for the cows, one for the calves. It’s a controlled, calm process, and honestly, it’s impressive watching the cowboys work the herd so precisely.
Once separated, we ran the cows through a sprayer that coats them with a fly-repellent solution. This is super important for keeping flies, parasites, and disease away during the hot Texas summer.
Why We Do It
Now, I want to take a second to address something. I know some people get uncomfortable seeing calves or hearing about cattle work. I’ve even had people ask me not to include pictures of calves in the newsletter.
But let me be clear: nothing we do out here is cruel or unnecessary. Ranchers—especially family-owned, generational ranchers—care more about these animals than anyone. Period.
Think about it like this: when you were a baby, you probably got checkups that weren’t fun—but they were meant to help you grow up healthy. That’s what we’re doing here. It’s not disturbing or harmful. It’s responsible care from people who know exactly what these animals need to thrive.
Cattle aren’t humans—they don’t feel or think the way we do. But that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve excellent care. And out here, they get it—often better care than some people give themselves.
We provide food, clean water, protection from predators, room to roam, and real hands-on care. No one is better equipped to raise and care for cattle than American ranchers and cowboys. Not vegans. Not animal rights activists. Not influencers online who’ve never had mud on their boots. Us.
And yet, vegans continue to throw around wild accusations, trying to paint what we do as abusive—while offering no real solution. Some even go as far as to use language borrowed from the most tragic and horrific parts of human history. That kind of comparison isn’t just wrong—it’s offensive. It shows a complete lack of respect for the victims of real atrocities, especially those who suffered in places like Europe during World War II. Comparing animal agriculture to that kind of suffering? That’s not advocacy—it’s ignorance.
Here’s the truth: if vegans got their way, the American herd would disappear entirely. They don't want better care for cattle—they want no cattle at all. No beef. No ranches. No animals grazing open land. And that’s not compassion. That’s hypocrisy dressed up as virtue.
You can’t claim to love animals while rooting for the death of every single one on ranches like ours.
We live this life. We care for these animals day in and day out. We know what they need because we’ve spent generations learning it—not from books or slogans, but from experience. Ranchers and cowboys are the real stewards of animal welfare in this country. Always have been. Always will be.
What Actually Happens
During this working, bulls become steers—just like you’d neuter a dog or cat. It’s quick, it’s safe, and it’s over before they know it. Within minutes, they’re back with their moms like nothing happened.
We also check on the heifers and make sure everyone’s healthy before turning them out to graze. Each cow gets over five acres to herself—usually much more—and the calves stay right there with them.
It’s peaceful, it’s productive, and it’s Texan to the core.
Brisket, Laughter, and Cowboy Stories
After the work was done, we loaded up the horses and headed back. Then came the real fun: a big meal of brisket and beans, and a whole lot of storytelling. Cowboys don’t run out of stories. There’s always something going wrong, something hilarious, or some ranch wisdom to share.
It’s moments like these that remind me what makes this lifestyle special.
A Final Word
Before I wrap this up, I want to say something straight: we’ve lost respect in this country for the people who feed us. The folks who work with their hands, who bleed and sweat so the rest of us can eat. And that’s not right.
Ranching isn’t glamorous, and it sure as heck isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme. But it’s vital. And these people deserve your respect.
So next time you sit down for a steak, think about the men and women behind it. Think about the cowboys, the ranchers, the hands—and maybe even subscribe to a YouTube channel that tells their stories.
Thanks for riding along with me this week. We’ll have one more newsletter before we go on our spring break. Helen and I are headed to Ireland for two weeks, so if you’ve got any beef orders, check the schedule. And if you’re the praying type, we’d appreciate a few prayers for safe travels.
See you next week—
Connor
Meet the Author:
For those new to my newsletter, I’m Connor McCauley, and I’m married to a fifth-generation rancher. Much of what I write comes from my own perspective, which is shaped by a unique blend of backgrounds. Raised in the home of a stockbroker in Southeast Pennsylvania, my outlook often contrasts sharply with my current life on a Texas ranch. In 2015, I moved to Colorado to pursue a career in the ski resorts, where I met my amazing wife, Helen. By 2021, we made the full-time move to her family’s ranch, where I’ve taken on a range of roles—from ranch hand to marketer to retail manager.
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