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Checking the Heifers (pictures)

randiliana

Well-known member
Here is the pen where we have our heifers for calving this year. We don't normally pen them, but it is sooooo icy, that we decided that it would be easier and safer for us, and especially them if they were at the barn, rather than out in the paddock if we had to bring them in. Temps today were around -10C with a pretty strong wind, so it turned out to be really nice to have the 3 that calved up at the barn rather than down in the paddock.

Checking to make sure nobody is doing anything, if they were they would be put inside for the night. We have room for one more...
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As you can see, I have assistance with my night checks. That is Blackie, our house cat that the heifer is checking out. I'm sure he's going to learn a thing or two about new mama's before the spring is through.
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These ones have other things on their minds than calving, at least right now....
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Ol #78 who I am expecting to have twins again this year. The signs are pointing to it....
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The 3 new babies
#154 (first calf)
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#153 (second calf) the one I had to help with a leg back
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#153 (third calf)
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PureCountry

Well-known member
Nice pics, thanks for sharing. Green spring grass makes a much nicer backdrop than those 6-8 foot piles of snow you've got now though. :wink:
 

randiliana

Well-known member
I agree, it does Pure Country. But we don't have enough pasture around here to calve on grass, and in order for us to send them to pasture they have to be on the ground. Don't like calving cows out when they are 2 hours away...
 

Soapweed

Well-known member
Looks like you have good protection from the wind and a cozy barn if needed. Your "cowcat" seems to be holding the momma's attention so you can read the eartag. :wink:
 

PureCountry

Well-known member
randiliana said:
I agree, it does Pure Country. But we don't have enough pasture around here to calve on grass, and in order for us to send them to pasture they have to be on the ground. Don't like calving cows out when they are 2 hours away...

Grazing from a distance does present it's own set of challenges doesn't it? Is that a community pasture or PFRA, or just rented?
 

randiliana

Well-known member
Soapweed said:
Looks like you have good protection from the wind and a cozy barn if needed. Your "cowcat" seems to be holding the momma's attention so you can read the eartag. :wink:

That is right, he is a very big asset to our operation :lol: :lol:
 

randiliana

Well-known member
PureCountry said:
randiliana said:
I agree, it does Pure Country. But we don't have enough pasture around here to calve on grass, and in order for us to send them to pasture they have to be on the ground. Don't like calving cows out when they are 2 hours away...

Grazing from a distance does present it's own set of challenges doesn't it? Is that a community pasture or PFRA, or just rented?

It does present challenges. When you send them 2 hours you really like to send older calves, because generally you have less health problems. We try to get up and check every week or so, but sometimes that just doesn't happen.

We own (well in about 10 months we will!!) the stuff that is 2 hours away. We also have stuff that we rent 1/2 hour from home, and we send to the Community Pasture just south of us too.
 

randiliana

Well-known member
Blkbuckaroo said:
Randi,congrats on the new calves.Last year you guys did a little herd dispersal,how are things shaping up?

Thank you. Things are already looking better for this year. We have snow, which will translate into runoff, and into grass/hay, especially if we can get some rain. So we shouldn't have too much trouble feeding whatever animals we have NEXT winter.

It was more of a herd reduction. As far as feed wise, things are looking good, good enough in fact that we just bought in another 16 head. Wouldn't mind another 5-10 more, but that is not a big deal.

As far as the cows go, we've only got calves out of the heifers so far, and they look good. I expect the calves out of the cows we kept to be pretty darn good, as the cows that we kept are the very top end of the herd. The cows are due Mar 6, and I expect that we will have most of those calves on the ground by Apr 1. Shouldn't be any duds, except possibly from a heifer that doesn't perform as well as expected.
 

Blkbuckaroo

Well-known member
randiliana said:
Blkbuckaroo said:
Randi,congrats on the new calves.Last year you guys did a little herd dispersal,how are things shaping up?

Thank you. Things are already looking better for this year. We have snow, which will translate into runoff, and into grass/hay, especially if we can get some rain. So we shouldn't have too much trouble feeding whatever animals we have NEXT winter.

It was more of a herd reduction. As far as feed wise, things are looking good, good enough in fact that we just bought in another 16 head. Wouldn't mind another 5-10 more, but that is not a big deal.

As far as the cows go, we've only got calves out of the heifers so far, and they look good. I expect the calves out of the cows we kept to be pretty darn good, as the cows that we kept are the very top end of the herd. The cows are due Mar 6, and I expect that we will have most of those calves on the ground by Apr 1. Shouldn't be any duds, except possibly from a heifer that doesn't perform as well as expected.
Glad to hear it!! 8)
 

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