The trees are finally starting to leaf out. The grass is growing too. It's been very windy all week. The temperatures are still staying below normal in the 50's and low 60's. The wind makes it feel even colder. The next four days have rain in the forecast. We still haven't gotten the corn planted due to wet fields. It looks like it will be later than ever.
It has been such a long, cold winter that we are running out of feed. We have been fixing fences this week and sorting cattle. The heifers have had all their shots and been branded. As soon as we get a nice day next week we'll work cattle and start taking them to summer pastures. The cattle are ready. They are working on the fences trying to reach the greener, longer grass on the other side.
It always surprises me how soon the baby calves start eating silage and hay with their moms. They will enjoy the sweet taste of greener pastures too.
Some one asked if we name all our cows. We don't name them all, but some of them get a name by their actions or because we've had special contact with them, like the bottle calves. Of course, DH calls some of them some names I can't mention. As much as you want to help a cow, she usually doesn't understand that you are only helping her or her calf. All the cattle have ear tags and we record information by tag number. It helps to match up pairs and know the age of the cows.
Working with cattle can be dangerous for the rancher and sometimes for the animal. This is "Crooked Jaw". Her jaw was broken in a stampede. She survived the injury, but needs extra care. We usually keep her in a smaller pen of animals so she gets extra feed. She eats slower so she needs to have the opportunity to have extra time eating before someone else eats all the food. She does well eating grass too. She raises a baby every year.
I'm looking forward to the end of morning feeding chores and all day calving activities. I haven't even cleaned the garden off yet. I did pick up some garden seeds when we were in Pierre last Saturday. With the cooler weather it really hasn't felt like gardening weather yet. I'm itching to get back to some time for sewing and blogging about quilting. lol
Hopefully your weather will improve soon and you will be basking in glorious sunshine. Thanks for sharing your life and all of the photos.
ReplyDeleteIt's so interesting to see the differences in farming and ranching there and here. Here, the corn is already harvested along with winter wheat and whatever was grown for hay. Second crops are going in. We haven't had but an inch of rain all year, so everything is irrigated. My brother in law has been helping with calving for the last few weeks, so that is the same.
ReplyDeleteThat poor little cow and her crooked jaw. That's sad. It's good that she has a kind rancher to take care of her.
I love reading about your ranching life, Janet. Keep the stories coming when you can. I get tired reading about the work involved on your ranch! lol
ReplyDeleteI hope it warms up soon so you guys can get some crops in, or at least your kitchen garden! I think it's been on the cool side everywhere this spring!