Cattle RanchHER Battles Extremes in the Bayou

Julie and her husband, Mark, navigate the challenges of ranching in a remote area known for its extreme conditions. With a vibrant spirit and joi de vivre, they’ve faced hurricanes, mosquitoes, and droughts to sustain their operation in Hackberry, Louisiana, an island just 13 miles north of the Gulf of Mexico.

They keep their business and cattle thriving by drawing strength from their roots and grounding themselves in their Catholic faith.

West Hackberry Cattle Company

In Louisiana, it’s all about helping each other out, especially when it comes to working our hauling cattle.

Part of that volunteer spirit comes from the many hardships faced as a remote, tight-knit community reachable only by a single bridge or boat. Ranching land so close to the Gulf comes with many challenges from Mother Nature—from hurricanes and flooding that make checking cows difficult to mosquitos so fierce at certain times of the year that the cattle need to be moved inland for their protection and comfort.

When our crew visited the Trahan Family’s operation, West Hackberry Cattle Company, it was inspiring to see their community come together to volunteer and help sort cattle.

“We are known in Louisiana to help one another,” Julie explains. “So, it’s not unusual for 10 [or] 15 people to come with their horses, trucks, and trailers and offer to help or haul cattle.”

Janie also got a chance to lend a hand. She ran the starting gate of their two-way pitch and had a blast!

Dinner on the Ranch: Cajun Turf & Surf

After a long day of sorting cattle, Julie invited Janie and the crew to a family dinner on the ranch. They enjoyed grilled steak with fried shrimp, sourced from Julie’s cattle and local seafood vendors, who sell things like oysters, shrimp, and crab.

Julie says they can access an abundance of fresh seafood in Louisiana with just a quick trip on the shrimp boat or gigging catching frogs in the canals.

While alligators can be dangerous, encounters with them are not unusual. She’s spotted gators up to 12 feet long, a common sight in Louisiana, sometimes even crossing the road—which was Janie’s dream come true for the trip.

Don’t miss the RanchHER Mid-Season Premiere, which airs on Tuesday, October 22, at 9:00 PM ET only on RFD-TV. Catch encore airings on Fridays at 9:30 PM and Saturdays at 10:00 PM ET.

Binge all episodes and past seasons of FarmHER and RanchHER on-demand at any time with your annual RFD-TV Now Subscription.

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