Our first calf was born on March 4th and since then we’ve had six more, two this morning. I didn’t get to see any of them until Sunday and those four were quite lively. They’ve all been smaller than usual and one of the two born this morning in low 20 degree temps and high winds is not doing well. Eddie says it’s very weak but is getting up, when it’s up his mom is laying down. He took me to see the spring her and their new babes on Sunday afternoon.
They were spread all over the hill eating grain until they heard the old gray Dodge start down the driveway. By the time we got to the field gate, they were all there except the little guy born that morning.
When the cows see that white bucket they know there’s some grain in the troughs.
This is the spring herd getting some grain and bringing their youngsters to meet the old woman on the farm (me)!
This little gal was the first of the year born on March 4th. She can run like the wind and keeps her mama in a tither all the time.
Daylight Savings Time bought this little guy to the farm.
A closer shot of the newborn.
After feeding the grain and we were leaving the field I got this closeup and he was looking for mama and bawling. She went running!!
Mama, where are you???
We went back to the stable to refill the buckets. This gives you a view of the gray Dodge (1970) and the feed wagon.
Inside the feed wagon is three ton of corn gluten. The cows love it!!
The little ones born this morning are doing better than we expected but we’ll keep a close eye on them and in the meantime, we have another mama trying to deliver while I’m posting this little ditty!!
Awww the babies are coming… love this time of year foe that reason, all the baby animals. My friend just got a new mama goat with her two kids and they are so cute… Hope your doing well in this snow and all your other mom’s can hold off having their babies till after the snow is gone.
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Oh, I still have my old 1970 Dodge! It was my first vehicle, and it has outlasted more other vehicles than I can remember!
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It came with the inheritance of the farm about 16 years ago and it has less than 50,000 miles on it. Strictly farm use. Eddie is afraid the rearend is coming out of it, making an awful whining noise. Hope to fix this summer but other equipment always takes precedence. It’s solid gray. My only fault with it is going through farm gates with an eight foot bed and no radio! 🙂
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How sweet. My Pa has a Model A that he inherited. The original owner bought it new while he was young, and kept it until he got old and passed away, leaving it to his young nephew who kept it until he got old and passed away, leaving it to my Pa, who is only the third owner. I hope it goes into a museum after that. I figured that my old Dodge and my old Ford would last longer than I do, but I was in a very serious wreck in the Ford a few years ago. I still miss it very much.
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Soon it will be much warmer for the calves.
I reckon that you will have no worries!
Cows are VERY protective as you no doubt have found out
over the years.
What breeds do you have prominently in the herd?
The calves shown look like they are Aberdeen Angus and that
breed being a Scottish breed don’t mind the cold.
Here in Australia you find this breed in the southern states – mainly
in the hilly regions. It is far too hot for them above the Tropic of
Capricorn ie: Rockhampton and above – nor do you find them in the
far western regions of the southern states – too dry.
I always look forward to the farm animal updates.
Your Aussie mate
Colin
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Our herds are prominently Angus and Angus Cross with a few Gielbiev scattered here and there. All good mothers so far! We have eight little as of this morning and although smaller than usual they are all doing well. Eddie makes sure to roll out the round bales in circle around the herds so the little ones will have something to lay on instead of the snow. It is blustery and snow flurries again today and we’re keeping a close watch on them. There’s 23 cows in this herd, 29 in the herd that has the fall calves and another herd of 14 heifers. The fall herd is looking a little lean but they have huge calves nursing now and they pull the weight from their mama’s in the cold weather.
I am very much looking forward to spring!! Need to get my hands in the dirt and grow things!!!
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I wasn’t too familiar with thus GIELBIEV breed of cattle.
So I did a search – “Gelbvieh (pronounced [ɡɛlbfiː], German for “yellow cattle”) is a cattle breed originating in several Franconian districts of Bavaria, Germany in the mid-18th century.[1] Gelbvieh were originally known as “red-yellow Franconian cattle” and were developed from several local breeds. Gelbviehs were originally bred to be triple purpose cattle (used for milk, beef, and draught), but the modern Gelbvieh is primarily used for beef production.[2][3]”.
With the above information I can see why they are adaptable to the “chills” of Virginia. They are a well known beef breed in Canada.
I do like your farming updates.
Going to be a very strange SCORCHER tomorrow – 38 Celsius!
This must be a lost summer day TRYING to catch up with the other days of summer – ha ha!
Cheers
Your Aussie mate
Colin
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Cold but busy time glad to here u are doing OK love u!rdixon1910
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Have missed all of my cleaning jobs this week due to this snow. I’m fine but want to be out digging in the dirt and growing things. I’ve started a little spring cleaning by cleaning out closets and drawers. I’ve even gone through my large collection of books and weeding them out. Heather and I may have another spring yardsale in May or June.
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