We calved out 70 cows, including ten first-calf heifers, this past fall—the most since we started the cow/calf operation. Here are a few of the highlights.
Adoptees and Twins
A few days later, one of the cows, #608, birthed a stillborn. Bill made another trip to the dairy for an adoptee. That story, “Another Adoption, But Without the Drama,” was posted on Sept. 15th.
In October, we added yet another Holstein adoptee when second-calf heifer #362a lost her calf. Our adoptees are usually only a few days old, but this one was born about two weeks earlier. Since he was much bigger than the other two, Bill named him Hoss.
The Hereford Dynasty
The Toe Family
But happily, daughters Two-Toes and Three-Toes both calved this year. The Toe Family Legacy lives on!
(Photo quality isn't good but I discovered long ago that most of the time you have to settle for what they give you; and sometimes you get lucky, but not here!)
Settled in for the Winter
- Eleven replacement heifers, born fall of 2016, that were bred in December and January so will have their first calves next fall;
- A few cows that birthed late calves—it’s easier to keep them here rather than haul them to the ranch later;
- “The Gimpy 4” – Four older cows with mobility issues that we need to monitor. One-Toe is included in this group, and all have advance reservations for their last trailer ride after their calves are weaned. "Do advance reservations guarantee us window seats?"
- Two bulls to breed the replacement heifers and late-calving cows. The Gimpy 4 may also be bred but won’t be calving, at least not here.