Everyone has a different calving season. Some have none at all. Some folks begin Spring calving in January, others wait until March or even May. Then you have Fall calving season that can begin in September or October. With so much difference, what’s the right answer for everyone? There isn’t one! And if someone tells … Continue reading Calving Season – What works for your operation?
I brought this calf the house to warm because it was born in a snowstorm and covered in snow and ice. Its ears and nose froze the night after it was born. At least its still alive! Just about as fresh out of the oven as you can get. Can you guess this crop and … Continue reading Wordless Wednesday: Calving Season
Calving is one of my favorite seasons on the ranch. I was reminded of this on Sunday morning as I watched young calves buck and run against the backdrop of a wonderful sunrise. Our snow-laden and cold weather have given way to a much more welcome warming trend this week; much better conditions for calving … Continue reading Calving Season: Labor of Love
Sorry, not many photos this week from the ranch. I spent half of the week out with the flu, so I was just doing the chores and heading back to bed. BUT we have started calving season. Here is our first bundle!
How many hours per week do you tend to work on average? (Wrong answers only.) Join the discussion on Twitter. May is a busy month. As the days and nights finally begin to warm, things really kick into high gear. Daylight hours become longer and still, I find myself struggling to fit everything into the day. … Continue reading Sharing seasons of life through advocacy
Earlier this week, I was busy in the barn at one of our farms despite the humidity and rain. We were working cattle and pulling bulls from the cow herds. The calves were receiving their first round of vaccinations (2 shots – one to protect against 7 different Clostridiums and Pinkeye, another for Respiratory diseases), … Continue reading Breeding Season coming to a close
Who ever said ranch life is boring, has not stuck around for a day. Just as soon as we wrap up one season, the next is waiting on its heels. I finished up calving season as April walked out the door and with May comes breeding season. I turned the bulls loose the other day and … Continue reading Traveling Bulls and Breeding Season
Here it is calving season, and in Arkansas so far we have had pretty decent weather. 60s and 70s with sunshine in February is nothing to complain about; granted we do have severe thunderstorms in the forecast. On Monday, I described the challenge we face with calving dystocia during calving season and how fetal rotation … Continue reading Prevention of Calving Dystocia
Yesterday I took you through the first half of my day in the snow storm. Several inches of snow were falling on the ground, I found myself with a prolapsed cow who wanted me on the other side of the fence, and hours behind in getting things done around the ranch. I promised a more … Continue reading Ranch Snow Day: Calving Heifers
Calving season is upon us in Prattsville. Our first calf was born Saturday morning in the fresh snow. The first-calf heifer, now a cow, had no problems calving and got the young calf warmed up and dried off. So what work is there before calving season starts? I have talked in many Tweets and posts … Continue reading Preparations for Calving
