Team Cattle Branding : Speakers & Interviews

i dont see the problem with both branding the cattle and the wrestling team helping the ranchers. hot iron branding is cheap easy and relatively quick, to put micro-chips in that many head of cattle would cost the ranchers a butt load of money thus driving the cost of beef through the roof. as for the wrestling team helping its a way of giving back to the community every body complains that wrestling doesnt get the publicity that it should, which it doesnt, but its because teams arent getting out and giving back to the community. my high school coach started a program in my town called rent-a-wrestler in which members of the community can call in if they need help moving furniture or doing odd jobs and in return we ask for a donation we dont charge any money they give us what they think is reasonable for the job we have done for them. some jobs are done for free, some people pay us more then necessary. its kind of a self promoter/ fundraiser for our team.

i think that it is great that these guys go out and help local ranchers.

way to delete. what a pu$$y

what a honus?

I can't fully agree with ya man. I don't agree with other posters that think micro i.d. chips are the best alternative solution, but I DO think we should find a different identification process. Branding is old fashion and was the best developed idea BACK then.

You really think burning their skin is necessary with all the progress in technology we have made. I realize you have seen it done many times, know people who do it in Colorado, and are also a cattle-whisperer and believe that they are not in pain, but that just proves your bias. I think the dude "re: Framer" is an unbias opinion and until I read these comments I've actually never thought of it.

dude "big sky montana" has the best post..........

Both sides of this arguement are laughable. Neither put up a worthy fight (maybe writer "i disagree with yall"). However, the solution is simple: Micro-chips. You put it in the damn cattle like Dogs. Senators in Ohio have already discussed this.

Yes, Branding is over, not for the reasons pointed out on this forum, and branding should not stay alive for the reasons pointed out on this forum either. Bottom line is that technology has PROGRESSED as usual. So go out and buy micro-chips.
*** On a side not, Wyoming sucks. Landon Harris is a pos. Rob Hartmen is disgusting. Go buckeyes!

landon harris standing up for any animal hahahahahahahaha. Get off your high horse man. You couldn't even win juco nationals.

Its clear. Stop sugar coating it. Most in defense for branding are complete morons. There is an obvious correlation between the intelligence of posters and what their defending. More simply put, most NOT in favor of an alternative identification process are dumb inbreds, who may or may not have the english skills of a seven year old.

Hey Ben,

I have seen the branding issue from a lot of perspectives (rancher relatives, animal activist, vegetarians, etc..) I have lived in the middle of it and have also been very far away from it (inner city). I think in essence the problem of branding is small because these animals are developed to be killed for food, but I do think that branding is completely out dated. It's a shame that America has not thought of a new method. I agree with below posters: "Train" and "I disagree with ya'll" they each have great points....
In the end its just a matter of uneccesary cruelness to a animal. I don't want to steal others words but I though this was a decent point from below.... " I think there should be a certain level of respect for an animal that is helping OUR species survive. Being humane and acting consciously is what seperates us (people) from other animals".
Its really just a culture of America that has not evolved as quickly as others.

HI travis my name is ben and i am currently enrolled in a colorado school and i am writing a paper i was wondering on what your point of view was on hot iron branding. My family owns a ranch and we have always used the hot iron i really don't see the problem.

hahaha leg bar!

some of you dont get that the branding is just a small part of a long process that gets the meat to your bellies. i suppose they could come up with a better identification plan, but it would have to be just as CHEAP other wise we aint doing it.

As for Cow Boy and Pete, well ur idiots

All of the men in my family have rode Bulls in their life time. It is a thrilling sport. Riding a bull is not meant to "piss those ed hippies off", it is a honorable sport that is geared toward a man's inner will. You (cowboy) are an ignorant inbred that gives bull riders a bad name. Learn how to structure a sentence correctly and then maybe come back.

Hay travis you do any bull riding I do you should try it that will really piss those ed hippies off.

I will re-post my comment below. However, I think there should be a certain level of respect for an animal that is helping OUR species survive. Being humane and acting consciously is what seperates us (people) from other animals.

"Let me end this once and for all...............
Whether you believe in animal welfare (i.e. using animals for human purposes such as eating, clothing, research, etc.) or are a strong proponent of animal rights (i.e. want to abolish the use of animals as property), one thing that both groups can agree on is that animals should be treated in a humane way and that we should try to minimize their suffering. The government should oppose a new method of identification and ban the old method of branding, plain and simple. Time to start thinking with our brain and our heart, oppose to just blindly following a tradition".

I love how you people define cruel. Cruel is putting a mark on them for identification but it's not slaughtering them for food and leather? Is it cruel to kill chickens for food? Hell it's actually cruel to take their eggs before they hatch and eat them. That's abortion! Those mothers are robbed from their chance to raise that baby chick to be a young outstanding rooster who one day may run for president. Is it cruel to set out a mouse trap? Is it cruel to kill a spider? A what point is life relevant? If you are going to fight for a cows right to not be branded then get on the bandwagon and let's stop companies from making weed killer! Those weeds have rights! They are living organisms and who are we to say their feelings don't matter? And for God's sake please don't even think of swatting that mosquito on your arm. BABY KILLER! This objection is so riducules and it amazes me of the type of hypocritical behaviors going on here. And I agree with whoever responded to Landon Harris....Move to Europe....I'm pretty sure you are single handily responsible for hundreds of cow's deaths! You sure don't look like no vegitarian.

Hey I'm back. I have been going around on the site reading all my old comments. Man I have written a lot. But I still hate this video and I love expressing my opinion.

The one and only,
Anonymous Coward

"Wild West April 3 at 1:00pm
Anonymous Coward, don't watch and shut up. You post nothing but crap on here."

You gotta love this idiotic comment from a wild west representative. The poster writes as if the person, "Anonymous Coward", has been ruining every comments section on this site.

Let me end this once and for all...............

Whether you believe in animal welfare (i.e. using animals for human purposes such as eating, clothing, research, etc.) or are a strong proponent of animal rights (i.e. want to abolish the use of animals as property), one thing that both groups can agree on is that animals should be treated in a humane way and that we should try to minimize their suffering. The government should oppose a new method of identification and ban the old method of branding, plain and simple. Time to start thinking with our brain and our heart, oppose to just blindly following a tradition.

The origin of branding livestock dates from 2700 B.C. Paintings in Egyptian tombs document branding oxen with hieroglyphics. Ancient Greeks and Romans marked livestock and slaves with a hot iron. Hernando Cortez introduced branding from Spain to the New World in 1541. He brought cattle stamped with his mark of three crosses. There has never been anything to take the place of a visible brand as a permanent definitive mark of ownership and deterrent to theft. Livestock people say "a brand's something that won't come off in the wash."

It seems I may be a little late to this discussion but you can't really argue that the definition of cruel does not match branding and leg sweeping animals. Not stating whether its wrong or right but it does match your definition of cruel.

My relatives raise cattle. I can say with ease that most people in that industry are not worried about hurting animals. It is a law to have cattle branded. My relatives would have no problem with changing to a different method of identification. To the poster that wrote its "tradition" well that does not mean crap. There are many traditions in this country that are wrong or were wrong and changed. I'll post the tradition of branding above this post.

Cruel: willfully or knowingly causing pain or distress to others

In that case, wrestling is one of the most cruel things on the planet. We should ban all wrestling videos from this site as well.
I am baffled by the sensitivity of posters on this page. Is it distressing to the cows? Probably somewhat, but it's a necessity in the industry. There is no malice driving ranchers. Frankly, the discussion is embarassing.

so this is why farm boys are good at foot sweeps..ha

You put up absolutely no arguement against the fact that its's cruel.

It's legal so I dont see how it could POSSIBLY be wrong if our government agree's, right? Why is their not a message board on this stupid site????

are any of these cattle on twitter?

write what ever you want about mid-westerners. It will not matter. Their not going to read your slander. They don't own computers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I Like It wrote: Yesterday at 1:54pm
" I like seeing what a collegiate wrestling team does off the mats. Thanks flo for not censoring this video. "

No wonder why Wyoming is not worth a damn.

I do agree with below....

"....Maybe the U.S needs a meat- eating PETA type group to see that dumb, below average wrestlers can't show up and leg sweep poor defenseless animals.
Guys at Flo support beating on animals? I hope not, cause god forbid someone starts another wrestling site with cooler merchandise, more videos of college and less of 12yr olds, a discussion board, and host there own tournament. Every one here would jump ship...."
But as long as it is a law (although dumb) to brand cattle then we should not complain about farmers doing it. Do you really think any one from the West is going to give a crap about hurting an animal. In the Mid-West thats called a Sport.

To everyone that says branding cattle is cruel, you obviously aren't from the west, where this is a traditon. It is a law to have your brand on cattle to sell them. So if you like eating steaks and burgers you should just keep your mouths quiet. Also wrestlers that wrestle in communities with cattle around them always get ask to help brand. It is a great workout and great way for team bonding and help the people that support your wreslting program

I like seeing what a collegiate wrestling team does off the mats. Thanks flo for not censoring this video.
Thanks to Wyoming Wrestling for taking it up a notch at this years NCAAs

I actually know a kid on that video. He is a dumb redneck that would not object to making an animal suffer, so I dont really support this video or see the point to it on Flo. BUT I do support our American farmers.

Maybe the U.S needs a meat- eating PETA type group to see that dumb, below average wrestlers can't show up and leg sweep poor defenseless animals.
Guys at Flo support beating on animals? I hope not, cause god forbid someone starts another wrestling site with cooler merchandise, more videos of college and less of 12yr olds, a discussion board, and host there own tournament. Every one here would jump ship.

it is like hard to watch people do tat to animals but its ;ife u knoe people live different ways na d they protect there property with branding but it is wat it is not saying i agree with it and at least these guys can wrestle cows cause they sure cant wrestle in competition

Looks like a fun workout, but jeez...seems kinda cruel to the cows or whatever. I don't know, guess I'm just a wuss when it comes to seeing animals getting scared and manhandled.

I dont think people are really arguing about where beef comes from or whether or not they should sell the animals to a stock yard. Its an arguement over animal torture and how the animal is handled for the duration of their short life span. You should of probably touched on something of relevance in your long drawn out banter, which i'm assuming was a shot at sarcasm and humor.

good call "ummmmmmmm"

wrestling forum or animal rights forum ????
Guess its neither because Flo refuses to install a forum so we can have discussions...

"Landon Harris wrote: April 9 at 11:40pm
And these idiots wonder why people hate "american rednecks"....

Sometimes I am ashamed of the state I live in.
Italy has already shown us multiple ways to raise animals for a source of food with out torturing and other harmful traditions.
Wyoming- where fair game is reffered to hunting and sleeping with family members."
WELL THEN MOVE TO EUROPE LAME ASS!

That is so cruel I can not believe that people, human beings, would actually grab a baby cow, throw it to the gound. Like ouch! Then put a hot iron to your side so that your owner (who checks to make sure you are born healthy and checks on you in the middle of the night to make sure mother nature doesn't take you, keeps you fed, leases land, doctors your ailments) can ship you to a stock yard and earn MONEY off of you. So SAD! HA HA like I said, medium rare please! You all are a bunch of whinning babies! How do you think you get your beef?

below poster I gotta agree with your last line

"These minutes may add up to be the gap between a match that will lead to the demise of there goal. They will not be National Champs. You gotta feel bad for these naive guys like Eggemyer, Alex Reider, Poulus, Brock Smith, Mikel Hoopes...
I mean these poor Wyoming guys will never reach there goal of being a champ. Its a harsh reality.
I'd say less. Count how many high school programs we have and then how many collegiate programs. 1 out of 100 HS wrestlers don't even make it.
The statistics of being a National Champ are crazy for every one. You basically have no shot statistically speaking.
Look at Collegiate wrestlers from around the country: Billy Murphy, Jayson Ness, Mike Grey, Alex Trsistis, Kyle Borshoff, J.P Occonor, Colt Sponseller, Shane Onufer, David Craig, Tyrelle Fortune, Ben Berhow...None of these guys will ever be National Champs. Its crazy to think about........ May suck worse then being branded.

'Hey Idiots' wrote: "We just choose to live our lives with out a chip on our shoulder."

Your out of your mind. Iowa people hold very heavy chips about New Yorkers, immigrants, gays, etc... You think the mid-west is this happy go lucky place where everyone gets along. pleeeeease. Ask the native Americans about that one. Stick to wrestling and animal tortuting, leave the real talk to the big boys.

I dont really agree or disagree with this vid. I eat animals but I am an animal lover.

I do agree with poster below named 'ummm' though......ha... Joe O'Farrel has no shot either. I'd bet Garnhart doesn't place either....Is it just me or is Rob Hartman the ugliest person ever?

wrestlign forum or animal rights forum ????

Guess its neither because Flo refuses to install a forum so we can have discussions...
Anyway these are being branded for i.d purposes. Its very outdated but they have no rights at all, unlike dogs.
These wrestlers should not be treating cows like this. Not there problem.
Statisticly speaking they actually have such a small window of reaching there goal of becoming a National Champ that every minute actually does count. These minutes may add up to be the gap between a match that will lead to the demise of there goal. They will not be National Champs. You gotta feel bad for these naive guys like Eggemyer, Alex Reider, Poulus, Brock Smith, Mikel Hoopes...I mean these poor guys will never reach there goal of being a champ. Its a harsh reality.
I'd say less. Count how many high school programs we have and then how many collegiate programs. 1 out of 100 HS wrestlers don't even make it.
The statistics of being a National Champ are crazy for every one. You basically have no shot statistically speaking.
Look at Collegiate wrestlers from around the country: Billy Murphy, Jayson Ness, Mike Grey, Alex Trsistis, Kyle Borshoff, J.P Occonor, Colt Sponseller, Shane Onufer, David Craig, Tyrelle Fortune, Ben Berhow...None of these guys will ever be National Champs. Its crazy to think about. May suck worse then being branded.

well landon, it doesn't matter what Italy does. We do what works for us. I'm from Iowa and I can say that I too get sick of the mid-west stereo typing that is big in the U.S and Europe. I realize people in iowa, as a whole, are not as smart as the rest of the country. But the Northeast etc.. have their flaws too. We just choose to live our lives with out a chip on our shoulder.

And these idiots wonder why people hate "american rednecks"....

Sometimes I am ashamed of the state I live in.
Italy has already shown us multiple ways to raise animals for a source of food with out torturing and other harmful traditions.
Wyoming- where fair game is reffered to hunting and sleeping with family members.

3 point throws evrywhere lol......burning flesh has to smell like

"Little Cubby"

sweet leg kick

Wow,
Well said. I'm a alumni of the wyoming wrestling team this tradition has been going on for years. It is part of a life skill of hard work. Wrestlers don't go on to be high payed athletics and have to take part in everyday life and think of it as helping a friend in need, but again maybe for all that complain about this should come to a good old Wyoming branding to understand it.

Also, I doubt that school officials or anyone living in the state of Wyoming have a problem with this video. I would imagine there is a lot of respect for the cattle industry in the region.

This is amazing. Hard to imagine a wrestling website with this many whiners! The headline says CATTLE BRANDING. If you don't want to see it, don't open it! It's that simple. It's not misleading. It doesn't say "Wyoming Powder Puff Pansy Prancing". I dount the team was forced to participate. I am sure it was voluntary and it does not look like those that participated were offended. So that only leaves the ones on here whining....GO AWAY! Cattle are branded, castrated, and eventually slaughtered. Not unlike when you go have your dogs and cats fixed. Did they ask for you to kill their reproductive cycle? NO! Don't be a hypocrit. I'm sure you have never killed a spider or swatted a fly. If that person exists out there who has never harmed a living organism and doesn't eat meat, or benefit from any animal hides, and is offended by this video, then I'm sure the wyoming wrestling team apoligizes. Also they would like to suggest to you to follow a different sport like glitter dancing because wrestling is tough, rough, gritty, and sometimes inhumane....again, GO AWAY! BTW, I just became the biggest Wyoming Wrestling fan in the world right now! Anyone with me?

Fun,

I understand your point, but I highly doubt officials of the University of Wyoming will have a problem with athletes branding cattle. The act is highly ingrained in the culture of the state.
Further, I will never understand what the uproar is about. People act like these young men are committing crimes or causing trouble. They are lending a hand to a local rancher doing true, honest work. Branding is necessary in the cattle industry, and it's true special (in my opinion) that these young men get to experience this.

Git'r done shui! Not to bad for WI native

this is ed up

Looks like fun....BUT in this world (And I have no problem with any of this myself) you are putting the team, coaches and university at risk by posting this on here. I bet anything this gets out and the university will have people cry who in some way have a financial involvement with the school and they will say they will stop funding if this continues. Who wants to take that bet. I have a rule in my wrestling room...WHAT HAPPENS IN THE WRESTLING ROOMS STAYS IN THE WRESTLING ROOM. That didnt happen here. AGAIN I THINK THIS IS AWESOME AND FUN AND GREAT WORKOUT. THIS IS A PART OF LIFE...IF THEY DIDNT DO IT SOMEONE ELSE WOULD. BUT AGAIN PUTTING YOUR PROGRAM AT RISK!!!

This is really cool exercise, do you get college credits for every cattle you brand or hold???

hahaahhahha

Anonymous Coward, don't watch and shut up. You post nothing but crap on here.

Not feeling this one... Looks extremely painful.

The car push is a competition that they have every year at homecoming amongst all of the sport's teams and fraternities. Each team is required to push a car up the ramps at the football stadium, and they decide winners based on the time it takes to reach the top. There are three catagories of teams, you have 800 lb teams, 1000 teams, and 1200 teams. Needless to say, the wrestling team has always won, because we are superior to all in strength and conditioning of course. It sounds kind of stupid, but the car push is actually extremely exhausting. I remember football players walking to the edge of the ramp and puking after completing the push, what a bunch of out of shape . A lot of teams can't even finish, and they have to drive the car to the top. It is a good time and while I was there it was a pretty big event, and I am sure it still is.

Wyoming rocks. The sensativity shown on this page is embarassing.

Hey TXref, you're an idiot. I don't like Folkstyle because I can't get off bottom? More like, you can't win on your feet or can't win 2 of 3 periods. Or just maybe, you're scared of getting dropped on your head. But anyway, the rest of the world doesn't wrestle Folkstyle and they never will.

Peta: "People for the Eating of Tasty Animals." I sure hope all that want this video off don't wear leather, have down bedding/clothing, eat any kind of meat, dairy ect...........get a clue its a way of life if you don't like it don't watch and still go to the store and buy that steak.

West Texas A&M;is talking about putting together a team, that would be D2. They might find a supporter like Mike McGill. I would like to hear about the car push.

2 Posts Below you only like Freestlyle more because you cant get up off the bottom!! FILA is ruining our FS/GR with the Clinch, Push Out and having to win 2 of 3 periods!! The rest of the world ought to be wrestling Folkstyle like we do!!

these people are sick. not for branding cattle... just in general

coward is well named. where do you think those steaks come from city boy?

This is cool. I wish our team could do something like this. Wyoming appears to have a lot of fun during the year while they train hard. I admire that team.

Maybe the Russians would be better if they powerbombed cattle.

No, I disagree. We are losing to the Russians because they wrestling Freestyle from birth and we wrestle folkstyle. Why? I don't know. I like Freestyle better.

This isn't the first year that they have helped McGill brand. This has been a long standing tradition on the team. It is great because ol McGill would use to let us on his place year around to coyote hunt, deer hunt, antelope hunt and fish. We use to do 2 brandings every spring to help out local ranchers, and they would donate to the team. You will notice that there were several people at the branding. Ranchers in Wyoming depend on people lending a hand to get their branding done each year. Folks just helping Folks. Go Pokes!

They should put up a video of the car push next year. Now that is crazy!

This would make a great Technique Tuesday.

Dude, this is Wyoming. That's on the other side of the country from the Appalachian Mountains.

PHS 112, thats some funny stuff!

lol!!! 3:05 great hips!

nice foot sweep....that cracked me up!

Real American Heroes

Some of us have been branded. It's not so bad.

Boob Jobs are stupid, please nock that one off the list. Cutting too much weight is also stupid. And getting circumcised or spanking is completely up to the parent.

I guess they're going to die anyway.

You girls are all correct, I am sure it hurts a baby to be circumcised so let’s stop that. It probably also hurts to get boob jobs, nock that one off the list. Cutting weight hurts so lets discontinue that. Spanking our children is inhumane. “Save the dolphin and “F” the tuna” Dennis Leary

I understand that is has to be done, but he wrote "it's a good workout and a great time." You said it doesn't really hurt, sure looks like it does though.

Branding is the only way to identify if that bull, steer or cow is yours. Cattle rustling in Texas and the Western United States is up 48% since our economy is suffering. If people did not steal the cows, they would not have to be branded.

You people just do not understand. Wrestling is a blue collar sport. Other wrestling programs should be jealous that they do not have a supporter like Mike McGill. If you people had done any research of the some of the D1 colleges that have wrestling, a lot of them are STATE colleges and or land grant colleges. They get federal funding (like all industries now). They will have an AG department. You could see this on those school campuses. Iowa State, Oklahoma State, Penn State, UC-Davis, Cornell, Illinois, NC State, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio State, Penn, Purdue, Michigan State, Wisconsin and Wyoming to name a few, have great Vet programs, AG programs, and other NON computer industry jobs that are still needed to make sure those steaks and chickens get to Chili's for you to enjoy. I understand if it is not your thing, but do not judge. They are not judging you because you did not partake. Mark Branch is bringing some parity to college wrestling in the West, and it is long over due!! GO COWBOYS!!

For everyone who's saying branding cattle is cruel and everything along those lines, it's really not that bad. A cow's hide is pretty thick so honestly, it doesn't bother them half as much as you might think. It'd be like a person getting pinched. Plus, branding is just a part of life on a cattle farm or ranch. It's just something which has to be done. The ear tags honestly probably bother the cattle more because there's less fat and hide, although there are less nerves too. But I like the little sweeps throughout the video. Just goes to show wrestlers are versatile and adaptable athletes!

If you think this a great time, there's something wrong with you. Can I brand you for fun?

i think you should remove this video.

Anyone else see that wicked leg sweep at 1:11

Travis, I cant believe you let one get away...weak!

I like steak!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i dont know i am a vegan

How do you think the hamburger gets to the store or resturant?
Dumb ass people!

that is cruel

nice footsweeps....yeeeh haawww

Not cruel just part of the life of a cow! Enjoy that hamburger!

haha ouch !!!!!!!

There's some different kind of people out there, not my thing but damn!

At least the are not castrating them..... So is this how Mark Branch got those boys so damn good so fast.

Every head of cattle goes for big bucks and you gotta put the brand on 'em for ownership. It's only done once, and done quickly. That's the business. If you ain't into it, don't wrestle or live in Wyoming. There's a lotta things you don't see that would make you wanna quit eating the way you do, which is why I never worked at Taco Bell--I love eating there too much to work there and ruin it all!

You say thats cruel while you're wearing your leather shoes and eating that medium rare steak! Gotta love it! Part of the business and someone's gotta do it. Looks like a great experience for those young men.

grow up

WTF! This is not cool at all! that is really fing cruel and mean. I did not like this at all and i think it should be taken down. for real

This might be the only "Cowboys" team that actually lives up to the name of their mascot. Crazy!

1:11....2 takedown ! hahahaha yee haa

whats your point?

SAVAGE!!

Seems cruel

Only on Flo.

I said thats crazy

YO that's crazy