Baby calves are still arriving on the ranch. In addition to the early calvers we (inadvertently!) bought last fall, we also have a small group of older cows that have started calving.

These cows were grouped together as dry cows to go to market and then… a fence-jumping bull decided to visit them. Consequently, we now have a group of cows calving in January.

They require a little more care, because many of them are older cows. They are in a large pen right now, which makes it easier to move them to the barn if it starts storming or the wind is howling.

We can also keep a closer eye on their feed consumption while they are in the pen. Mama cows need a boost in their nutrition levels right before they calve and during the first couple of months after the calf is born. Increasing their feed helps the cows maintain their body condition.

Their menu consists of corn silage with chopped hay.

My helper for the day.

AKA: The Girl Who Loves Pink

My Future Running Partner

My Artist in Training

My Favorite Cowboy-Girl

Here’s the thing about cattle: our calendar means nothing to them. Nothing.

When we bought a couple of loads of bred cows last fall, the buyer assured us that they were set to start calving in March. That would work perfectly for us.

Apparently the cows did not get this memo. This calf was born early this morning. Early this January morning.

Fortunately, the weather this week has been absolutely perfect for calving! 50+ degrees and no wind. We couldn’t ask for better weather. Even in March.

Due to this little guy’s early arrival, I find myself in the odd situation of agreeing with my husband…about the weather, at least. I’m going to have to abandon my hopes for a winter wonderland this year. Instead, I am forced to acknowledge that this mild winter is ideal for the upcoming calving season.

I am really look forward to winter…next year!

Warning: this post contains photos of a somewhat sensitive nature. Especially if you are a mother. Particularly a mother of a three year old boy.

Today we had our veterinarian at the ranch to preg-check cows for us. At the end of the day we sorted the cows based on when they are due to calve and then took them to separate pastures.

To determine when the cow is due to calve, our vet does a rectal palpation and feels the cow’s uterus.

It is not a job for those with an aversion to mud or muck. You may look at this photo and feel some compassion for the dirty job our vet had to do all day long. Me? I look at that photo and thank my lucky stars I am not responsible for his laundry!

It is a quick process, the cow is in the chute for less than a minute. While the vet is working on one end of the cow, the cowboys are at the head of the cow. They give vaccinations and make her a new ear tag.

While the cowboys were hard at work, I was busy tending to the resident three year old. I would like to go on record here that I was doing a perfectly fine job of watching him and playing with him…until the phone rang.

It was a dear friend from California that I hadn’t spoken to in a while. I stepped a few paces toward the house to have my conversation and when I turned back toward where I had left my son this is what I saw:

A proud parenting moment indeed!