Page 10 - Farm & Ranch

It seems like I have tried my hand at a little of everything in my short 21 years. Growing up, I had a deep love for animals and I searched for anything that meant I could spend more time in the barn and less time in the house. From choosing the correct tack for my performance horses to winning Grand Champion with my barn cat at the county fair, I've always been involved in livestock and shows. I'm the daughter of an outfitter, which means that hunting and fishing is a way of life. In the spring, I love to fly fish and hike. I could spend every day on the river catching trout... or attempting to. When I don't have my crown on as Miss Rodeo Montana, you can find me working as a dental lab technician in scrubs of many colors. Stay tuned to yourlocal40.com for more blogs and write ups as North 40 helps promote the Western culture alongsi... Read more

The following is a press release from Zoetis. With the earlier, warmer summer here in the Northwest--it's never been more relevant and time sensitive. Please take care of your horses out there. -N40 Horse Owners Can Still Take Action Against West Nile Threat Vaccination, good management helps offer protection during peak mosquito season FLORHAM PARK, N.J., June 25, 2015 Peak mosquito activity in the United States occurs July through October, which places horses at the highest risk of contracting West Nile virus (WNV).1 Much of the United States has experienced increased rainfall this spring, and the first cases of West Nile have already been documented this year.With the right vaccine and preventive measures, it's not too late for owners to help protect their horses against this life-threatening disease. West Nile is transmitted by mos... Read more

AGM Batteries are a good choice for anyone looking for a new battery to put in their boat.  AGM's are spill proof because the acid absorbs into fine fiberglass crystals inside the battery.  Having a spill proof battery on rough seas and choppy rivers really boosts the confidence of any boater out on the water. You can see our selection of AGM batteries online here. AGM Batteries are a good choice for anyone looking for a new battery to put in their boat.  AGM's are spill proof because the acid absorbs into fine fiberglass crystals inside the battery.  Having a spill proof battery on rough seas and choppy rivers really boosts the confidence of any boater out on the water. Learn more about DuraStart--made in America batteries right here. AGM batteries have a low internal resistance while still maintaining a quick response time with hig... Read more

Self Reliance: How Father's Lessons can go a Long Way As Father's Day approaches and I think about everything that my dad has done for me and taught me, the most significant trait that stands out is self-reliance. As a kid I spent most of my childhood growing up in the farm and ranch lands of Montana. In the country, self-reliance is a necessity, if your car or truck broke down you couldn't always run it to a mechanic, you had to buy the parts and figure it out for yourself. While a lot of my classmates parents were farmers and ranchers. My dad drove semis for a living and so he had a vast knowledge of engines and all things automotive. Looking for automotive parts and maintenance supplies? When teaching my brothers and I how to do anything, my father's philosophy was tell us what we needed to do to accomplish the task, show us how to ac... Read more

How to Kill Knapweed: A Noxious Weed Found in Yards, Pastures and Fore... Read more

Mastering the art of welding can be a rewarding and useful skill.  Things break, and they need repaired around the ranch, farm, shop or home.  When it comes to metal repair, welding has long been the reliable and standard solution. But welding isn't something you just learn by reading a book or watching a few videos on the intrawebs. To really learn welding, you have to flip down your welding helmet and let the sparks fly. As my high school Ag-Ed teacher would say, "You gotta burn to learn." Lincoln Electric Welder Review: Some Background Information My high school mentor taught me many useful skills that are still with me today, but my overwhelming fear of electrical currents challenged him the most.  He taught me welding safety, how to correctly operate a welder and then watched until I was confident enough to explore on my own.  S... Read more

The weather is finally giving signs that spring may just be here.  The pasque flowers are up, the birds are singing and, yes our horses are shedding!!! After the long winter off, most horses have an extra little spring in their step, and maybe a little extra attitude.  Even "old reliable" may have extra energy and a renewed youthful spirit! Here are 5 easy things to help ensure that your first rides this spring are enjoyable and made of great memories! Check all your Tack before Summer Especially high pressure areas on your saddle, girth, bridle and reins.  These areas take the brunt of wear and tear and easily crack or break. Look for any rough or worn spots that may need repair.  The last few cold, blustery days of March and April are always great days to spend cleaning and oiling the tack. Here's a selection of tack and replacemen... Read more

Trailers. Hauling. Cargo. At North 40 Outfitters, we've seen it all hay bales, logs, tractors- classic cars. When you need to haul something that reflects your passion- or impacts your bottom line, you want to know that cargo is secure. We stock a wide range of trailers and towing accessories and have been part of the hauling game for more than a decade- so we know what straps to use, what tie downs, what hitches, etc. Here are some common use cases: Construction: securing table saws, ladders, air compressors, and shovels and rakes Moving: securing mattresses, head/foot boards, dressers, tables, filing cabinets, and any and all appliances Camping: securing tables/chairs, kayaks, mountain bikes, and coolers The Erickson E-Tracks are designed to control your cargo during your haul. Let's look at the different ways you can use the Erickso... Read more

Originally developed for use in military aircrafts, AGM, or Absorbed Glass Mat batteries are the go-to option for applications like snowmobiles, marine batteries and RV batteries. When you opt for an AGM, you're going to be able to see (and feel) an immediate difference over flooded batteries. Flooded batteries, also called "wet-cell batteries," are the original type of rechargeable battery. They're commonly found in aviation, electric utilities, and energy storage or cellphone towers. The battery contains a liquid electrolyte that is "flooded" such as sulfuric acid, a dangerous corrosive liquid that damages what it comes into contact with AGM is different because this fluid is contained in each inner "cell" of the battery rather than being "free-floating" in the battery's shell. Top 4 differences when going with an AGM over wet-cell bat... Read more

Want your horses to have good feet, stand for the farrier and keep healthy year round? Follow the simple steps below, provided by local Montana farriers. Regularity for your Horse's Feet Keep your horses on a 6-8 week schedule, and, if possible, let your horse go unshod with regular trims so you can get a balanced, natural shape before the spring preseason kicks off. Handle their feet regularly, pick up their feet, put them down and clean them out: once more, handle feet regularly. Want to read the full review about these safety glasses you see in the video above? Cleanliness in your Horse Pens Not only should you have a clean area for your farrier to work when he comes, your horses should also have clean water, clean feed and clean pens before he gets there. Cleanliness translates to hoof heath. When it's wet and boggy, your ho... Read more

Bully Tools  "For many years I would buy a rake, hoe, shovel, or some such tool. Many times I would return to the store the following spring to show them the rake with the handle that pulled out from the head, the broken shovel, or the bent hoe. I admit that I am a bit tough on tools but, jeez, they should be tougher than that. I got so exasperated. When I got the opportunity to sell Bully Tools I was excited because I AM a tool user and I could see that these tools are built DIFFERENTLY than others. Hold any American Made Bully Tool up against any foreigner (just about all other brands are made in China, Mexico, etc.) and you see and feel the difference. Use a Bully Tool and you won't be back next year to replace it! Check out our selection of Bully Tools online here. Attached are some pics from the (unfinished) project I built with a ... Read more

In appreciation for National Ag Day, we are proud to highlight our involvement with two great programs that foster the future of agriculture, 4-H and FFA. "My time in 4-H was invaluable. I have always had horses and been active in many types of equestrian sports endurance racing, roping, and trail. I was on a cattle drive with my dad, I must have been about nine at the time, when I found my first calf. He had been stepped on in the herd and had a broken leg the trail boss gave him to me of course, but my dad only allowed me to keep if I promised to go through the local 4-H livestock program. I named him Norman and went through the program. I learned valuable lessons about beef cattle and best-practices for animal husbandry. I am happy to have the opportunity to announce that North 40 Outfitters will be continuing to offer a discount to... Read more