Happy New Year! I can hardly believe that 2016 is upon us. We are about a month into our winter hay bale grazing season and already looking forward to our 2016 calving season! 2015 was definitely a growing year for our farm, our cattle herd and our family. As with any farmer, there is always that driving force, that desire to be independent … [Read more...] about Happy New Year 2016: Update on the Farm
Hello, World! Baby Calf Being Born.
This post is bittersweet for me to write. The afternoon that I originally planned on writing this post I ended up in the pasture, joyfully watching through binoculars one of our last cows give birth....that joyful moment quickly turned into a heartbreaking time for me as I held this beautiful stillborn calf's head in my lap. Sigh. This was our first loss during calving. … [Read more...] about Hello, World! Baby Calf Being Born.
Naptime, Baby Calves!
I have always enjoyed taking pictures of our herd. Looking through my lens, I witness the changing of the seasons, from lush, green pastures to snowy, white blankets. I watch our herd grow and flourish. And on the very special occasion, I watch a new life come into this world. It probably comes as no surprise, therefore, that my very favorite season to photograph is what … [Read more...] about Naptime, Baby Calves!
Pulling a Calf – Headgate and Chains
"We gotta get her in the head-gate and pull this calf...NOW!" It was around 1pm on a sunny afternoon a week ago and we had a first-calf heifer who had been in labor, with her calf's legs sticking out, for going on three hours. Jer's first attempt to put chains on the calf's legs resulted in him being drug … [Read more...] about Pulling a Calf – Headgate and Chains
2015 Calving Update
We are nearing the end of May and calving has been in full swing for close to a month. Our first calf hit the ground on April 21st and we have had 11 more calves since - all strong and healthy. Of our 12 calves, we had to pull one 90lb bull calf, and then, provide literally a slight tug of the legs, with our hands, on a heifer calf. The calf likely would have … [Read more...] about 2015 Calving Update