The calendar says it’s spring, but here on the ranch it’s calving season. This season is a busy time for us. The cows require a lot of attention as they have their new calves.
The older cows, that have calved before, are looked at three times a day. We drive through the herd and look for any difficulties in the birth process, such as a backwards (or breech) calf. In that case, we would bring the cow into our barn, restrain her, and help her deliver her calf. While checking the cows, we also observe the calves already born to make sure they are up and sucking. It’s important that baby calves get a good start in life.
The two-year old heifers, that are having their first calf, demand much more attention. We monitor them around the clock, because they are more apt to need assistance. Heifer problems are mostly a matter of getting everything stretched without stressing the calf. We do breed our heifers to low birth weight bulls to minimize troubles. With this being their first calf, motherhood is all new to them and they need to be watched.
So while we are tending to the cows and the new calves, spring is happening. The green grasses are starting, trees are budding, and meadowlarks are singing. The renewal of life is upon us and it is a beautiful season!
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