On June 26 I started weaning the oldest calves. Fast Eddie and Handsome Jack are the oldest bulls and Allie, a heifer I am keeping were all born within a week of each other. Today was their second washing and it went really well. The first wash was pretty tense but over the past week their stress level has declined noticeably.
Their daily routine starts about 7:00 am. Overnight they are allowed to be off-halter and allowed to graze the barnyard. They get haltered and tied before being allowed to eat and afterward allowed to lay down a while. About 9:00 or 10:00 I will take each to water and then tie them standing followed by a brushing all over to get them used to the handling and touching. After brushing I'll spend 15-20 minuets each in lead-training to get them to walk without resisting. This will get expanded as we go along.
After training, I may leave them tied for another hour or so. They will then be allowed to be off-halter in their pen so they can get free-choice hay and access to water as needed. The heat is pretty bad now so I have a fan going constantly. About 6:00 of 7:00 I will halter and tie them for their evening feeding and a light brushing. They are then individually led out of the pen into the barnyard, taken off-halter and allowed to romp.
I use range cubes as treats and as encouragement/reward for desired responses during training. It is a sure form of addiction. I'd love it if my cattle responded to my commands and directions because they want to please me or just because they like me. But, that won't happen. The best way to get any semblance of obedience is to become the source of the things they want, either feed or grass. I found early on that pushing cattle only works if they are going where you want them to anyway. It is far easier to lead cattle with food or the promise of a fresh pasture and cubes work great. I'm too old for playing rodeo.