Calving 2013

randiliana · #1 03/04/13, 08:50 AM

Here's some photos from last night. Fortunately this is the only calf born overnight in this and while it was quite nasty out, the temps weren't too terribly cold. And, believe it or not, she had him in about the best place she could have to keep him out of the wind! We do have 3 other pair in the barn, but they were all born before it turned really nasty. He's calf # 11 out of about 290! Hope the weather smartens up!

What a welcome into this world!!
Calving 2013 - Cattle

DH is pulling the sled up the hill. I'm following just in case she decides her calf really isn't in the sled, but back where we found him!
Calving 2013 - Cattle

Ah, finally, much nicer in here!
Calving 2013 - Cattle

**gone-a-milkin** · #2 03/04/13, 09:00 AM

I think these photos pretty well express the fun times you are having up there.

290 calvings?

I am only dealing with about half that many and with dairy cows.
And in a much more temperate zone.
And I *still* whine about it.

How deep is the snow there?

Good luck with your calf crop.
I always enjoy seeing your photos.
Thanks for sharing them.

opportunity · #3 03/04/13, 11:29 AM

We had weather about like that on our first calf and it was 60 days earlierthen we thoughwe would start so we lost it. I hate weather like that when we have cows close

randiliana · #4 03/04/13, 01:19 PM

We have a couple feet of snow I would say. Lot of it is in banks. Probably got between 4-6 " of snow out of this one. It is supposed to warm up by the end of the week and really it isn't terribly cold here right now, 28-30 F. It's just the darn wind. Had another one this morning that quickly spit her calf out, before we could get it up to the barn. But they are inside now and fine.

Opp, we kinda expect this sort of thing, usually get 2 or 3 every spring. The last few years, March has been better than April, and we usually have better setup's than the April calving guys do...

randiliana · #5 03/04/13, 05:38 PM

So, the weather has kinda straightened out now. Got lots of snow and lots of snow banks! But it's still windy and it has gotten a bit colder out. So, here's the cow that we put in last night cause we thought she was going to calve. I turned her out about 3:30 this afternoon. These photos were taken just before 5 pm. She was not kindly referred to when we saw this....

Calving 2013 - Cattle

Cause that meant that we had to do this...
Calving 2013 - Cattle

Blew this snowbank out this morning so we didn't have to wallow through it, much easier this way!!
Calving 2013 - Cattle

Here's a cow that calved at about 1 am Mar 3... What a difference 24 hours can make!!
Calving 2013 - Cattle

This is what my backyard looks like
Calving 2013 - Cattle

WJMartin · #6 03/04/13, 09:45 PM

Love the pics! Lovely snow babies!

**gone-a-milkin** · #7 03/04/13, 09:48 PM

Dont your little calves ever just catapult themselves out of the sled?
Sure beats CARRYING them!

unregistered41671 · #8 03/04/13, 09:54 PM

I see these pics and wonder how you guys do it? I spent most of my life in S Fla working cattle and of course we saw nothing like these conditions. We did have to battle the water, the skeeters and the heat. Glad I was raised in the deep south. Looks like you are doing a great job with your mama's and babies.

Crazy Farmgirl · #9 03/05/13, 05:10 AM

You had to figure the one you turned out would have the calf about as soon as you were out of sight!! That's the way it work here.

Everyone looks good!! Love the snow..wish we had more here.

randiliana · #10 03/05/13, 07:52 AM

Yes, G-a-m, they do catapult themselves now and then. But if you can get their legs above their head on the edge of the sleigh that usually keeps them down. Good reason to pay attention to temperament tho...

One more baby last night, and we actually managed to get her in the barn BEFORE she calved!!

Gabriel · #11 03/05/13, 08:02 AM

Glad you were able to save it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gone-a-milkin

I am only dealing with about half that many and with dairy cows.
And in a much more temperate zone.
And I *still* whine about it.

I don't whine about it, I just don't do it... calving in May makes my life easier.

topside1 · #12 03/05/13, 08:10 AM

Simply amazing, stay warm...Topside

randiliana · #13 03/05/13, 08:14 AM

Just remember sometimes situations force your hand. Turnout here is about May 1, if you have tame grass, by August it is usually dried up. Killing frost is usually in September, can be in August or October. We pasture most of our cows 2 hours from home, the rest are 1/2 hour away. We sell calves the end of October, and cows fall graze til, hopefully, Christmas.

Lots of people calve April/May here, but for us, we can't really send the cows to pasture 2 hours away before they have calved, and we don't have enough pasture to keep them home til the end of May. The extra 50-100 lbs is sure nice at sale time, so I think it makes the extra bit of work worth it.

**gone-a-milkin** · #14 03/05/13, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gabriel

Glad you were able to save it.

I don't whine about it, I just don't do it... calving in May makes my life easier.

The last few years of super hot late summer have made it difficult to get the dairy cows to settle for May calving here.

Grass-based dairying has been challenging with the drought.

RedRider · #15 03/05/13, 09:40 PM

Amazing pics....thanks for sharing!

RedRider