A Visit to the Maternity Ward

The cattle lots to the east of our house are empty this winter. 

And, I must admit, that hasn't bothered me some days:

1) When the wind chill is below freezing;

2) When we are able to leave for the weekend - or even midweek - and not have to figure out who is going to feed and water the cattle;

3) When Facebook reminds me of the polar plunge from this time last year. I resembled the Michelin man for my daily stint in the feed truck;

4) When I'm not awakened for late night or early morning heifer mama checks;

5) This morning, when it's snowing.

But, I also must admit, I do miss the new little faces, practically in my own backyard. 

Thankfully, Tye & Todd have granted us liberal visitation policies with our 2022 calf crop. And we don't even have to wear a mask or follow any particular visiting hours. 

On a sunshine-filled afternoon last week, we took a drive through the "maternity ward."

It didn't disappoint ,,, except for rascals who only wanted to show their backsides - even if they're cute backsides.

But there were plenty of others who were ready for their closeups, as Greta Garbo used to proclaim. 

Some were as long-legged as runway models - or so it seemed.

Others were dressed for this month's Valentine's Day (note the "heart" on 787's chest).

While Tye and Todd don't care if we get a close-up look at our calves, some of the mamas give us the stink eye.

I'm always amazed at how some babies look just like their mamas ... 

...and others definitely don't. I guess that's true of human babies, too. 

 Some can't be bothered with any visitors: It's snack time!

We all know what's really important.

Heifers and Helpers

  

I may not be as cute as this little helper at the Pratt sale barn. But I like to think I was just as indispensable. 

I am under no delusion that I was the most vital helper during the County Line's latest cattle work. That honor went to our veterinarian, Dr. Bruce.

He was at the farm Monday to preg-check 25 heifers - our first-time mothers. Many times, he has done  the examinations manually. But this time, he brought along a helpful machine. It's like a sonogram machine for cattle.

I seem to have mostly gotten Bruce's reflection in the photo below, but maybe you can also see an image, too. It's a little hard to see what you're photographing when you're taking the shot over someone's shoulder in bright sunlight. (Thanks for your patience, Dr. Bruce!)

 Most of the first-time moms were 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 months pregnant. 

I was the secretary for the ladies' doctor's appointments and also helped move them up the lane. Dr. Bruce inserts a wand to get the image and determine the approximate gestation, based on the size of the baby.

When I saw 001 come through the chute, I had to take a close-up. I knew I'd be able to find a baby photo of her. She would have been one of the first babies born in 2020, and she would have been born to a heifer, too.

August 2, 2021

January 25, 2020

No. 001 was pregnant, but three of her pasture mates were not. Those three - and an Angus bull - made a trailer trip to the Pratt sale barn. 

To make the sorting job easier, Randy always marks the  "open" cows with "O" on their sides and puts a chalk streak down the front of their faces. 

 

We sorted them off from the rest, and they had a chauffeured ride to Pratt, where they'll be sold on Thursday.

As one was walking away at the sale barn, I realized the Hereford-looking one was my 2020 Valentine's calf. I always thought she was so pretty, and I also noticed her as we fed silage this past winter. But, just like a sports team, you have to make tough cuts to the roster. And not being pregnant is a big deal for cattlemen.

Notice the "heart" shape on her chest: She made an appearance on the blog in February 2020.

 The rest of "girls" were transported to a different pasture, where they will graze as "ladies in waiting" until this coming winter when they will deliver the Class of 2022.