a pox on farm life

springvalley · #21 02/17/11, 10:50 PM

OH, I forgot (((((((((((HUGS))))))))))). >> Marc

DJ in WA · #22 02/17/11, 11:39 PM

Sorry to hear of your loss. One reason I intentionally keep myself less attached to my animals. They all die on you, unless you die first.

Sorry that the cow thing has been hard. I've been concerned for a long time that many people bite off a bit too much when getting a full dairy cow. Which is why I've been recommending beef cows for beginners. Generally more hardy and less nutritional and other needs. I sold my half Jersey cow and am going to a beef cow or two. I'm going to steal a quart or two of milk whenever interested, but it won't be a big commitment.

Besides, you can't have a garden without manure!

Of course, cows and everything else homesteading, is optional - to each their own.

Here's a pic of my heifers last month:

a pox on farm life - Cattle

springvalley · #23 02/18/11, 12:00 AM

Hey DJ, that is a cool picture of your calves, if you could get them to put on Santa hats, that would make one heck of a christmas card. > Thanks Marc

**gone-a-milkin** · #24 02/18/11, 12:10 AM

Beautiful pic, DJ.

We always go around and around with death. Farmers see it first-hand more then most people do.
Heck, my DH didnt want to see me spend money on a TREE one time because "What if it dies?".
I suppose that same argument could be made to never love anything or anybody...

springvalley · #25 02/18/11, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gone-a-milkin

Beautiful pic, DJ.

We always go around and around with death. Farmers see it first-hand more then most people do.
Heck, my DH didnt want to see me spend money on a TREE one time because "What if it dies?".
I suppose that same argument could be made to never love anything or anybody...

Wonderfully said Dear Friend

nobrabbit · #26 02/18/11, 09:04 AM

It's so hard to lose an animal. We just recently lost a calf that we have been hand raising since October. He was the sweetest little orphaned bull Charolais but just never seemed especially healthy despite all of our doctoring. I think he was a bummer calf and just wasn't meant to be saved. But you have to try. Not only is it heart-wrenching but it's a big loss on our time and pocketbook.

This is what non-farmers don't understand about farming. We see the nitty gritty facts of life in a way they never will. On any given day we deal with sickness, death, danger, bad weather, horrible working hours and on and on. Sometimes it all feels like an uphill battle.

BUT, when everything goes right; healthy animals and crops, nothing is breaking down, a great day spent working on the farm, a good day at the stockyard, etc. and you can look back and see how far you've come and what you have accomplished.....you realize that it's not a lifestyle but a life.

There are definitely days when I look forward to the time when we have retired and moved off of the farm but I know it will also be one of the hardest days of our life.

Callieslamb · #27 02/18/11, 09:20 AM

Oh, I am not getting out of farming, just milking the cow. We're paring down the chores dor a while. That's all. I might put up a greenhouse. And I will probably take a calss from Tiller's International on spinning. Or maybe put in a raspberry Upick. There's plenty yet to learn and do. it's just the milking that has to go for a while. I still have one son at home to raise - he deserves a mom on even keel rather than a nervous wreck that always worries about getting that cow milked. We might switch to a beef cow. There are a lot of options - getting out of farming isn't one of them.

I appreciate all the nice thoughts. I have made some of the best friends here. You guys are the best.

CraterCove · #28 02/18/11, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kirkmcquest

You cannot get attached to your livestock. True farming takes a certain amount of detachment. It's all a long term numbers game.

I don't think it takes actual detachment... just being practical. Detachment leads to poor treatment, in my experience. There is both life and death on a farm. There are small injustices and little miraculous happenings every day. And as we learn more about or land and our animals and accumulate enough scars to call ourselves wise we can start tipping the balance in the direction of the good things that can happen.

I am sorry you are feeling like the farm life isn't for you. Maybe things are indeed off kilter for you but I'd say don't give up! Take a step back, regroup, rethink and try again. And this board is full of wonderful knowledgeable people who will help if they can.

Callieslamb · #29 02/18/11, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nobrabbit

...................................
This is what non-farmers don't understand about farming. We see the nitty gritty facts of life in a way they never will. On any given day we deal with sickness, death, danger, bad weather, horrible working hours and on and on. Sometimes it all feels like an uphill battle.

BUT, when everything goes right; healthy animals and crops, nothing is breaking down, a great day spent working on the farm, a good day at the stockyard, etc. and you can look back and see how far you've come and what you have accomplished.....you realize that it's not a lifestyle but a life.

........................

Very nicely put. I haven't had one of those days in over 6 months. It isn't the days -it's what's inside.

Tad · #30 02/18/11, 01:20 PM

I get a big kick out of reading the posts here, we have by no means a large farm but big enough to make most things routine. All the baby watch and other posts make me chuckle at how much people look forward to things I see once of twice a week. I also forget how hard people must take it when a single cow family looses a calf. I am sorry for your lose, it happens to everyone at some time but it doesn't make it easier. As far as good farm news we had our first ever R/W holstien last week.. a 110 lb hiefer! Don't really know if it is that much cuiter than the others or just because it is different than all the others.

Callieslamb · #31 02/18/11, 01:27 PM

Congratulations on the RW holstein. They are beautiful cows. Post a picture and we will let you know how cute she is.. LOL!!!

DianeWV · #32 02/20/11, 01:25 AM

I am really sorry to hear about little Daisy. I understand your heart-break. Take care and I hope you have a nice garden this year. Keep your chin up, better days ahead.