Busy Time at the "Office"

Howdy again, we really had a really busy time this week. Our typical day starts with Brian doing the 5am check  then he goes and feeds the fall pairs.  While he feeds the fall pairs, I get breakfast done and any typical housewhole chores done. I then go check the cows again at about 8 am , and feed any of the calves that may need it.  This week we had several " slow calves" that needed extra attention. I also have a "bottle baby" that his mom died after his birth. ( She was born backwards with a leg back ) Then I go check and feed our horses which takes about 1 hour or so.  When I come back, I draw the tags for all the calves that were born that night and morning so Brian and Nick can tag. Nick feeds the bulls and yearling heifers in the morning as well as the pairs. After they tag the calves and move them to the pair pasture, Brian feeds the main cow herd. In between feeding, sometimes we have to pull a calf with a difficult delivery. We check the cows every 3-4 hours for problems.  Usually they finish about 1-2pm, but then all the miscellaneous chores get done in the afternoon. Brian then checks the cows at 6pm and Nick comes back at 9pm. I check them at 1230 pm. Then Brian starts checking them again at 5 am.  That is our typical "Day at the Office"

 This week we lost several calves to coyotes which is very frustrating, Nick and Brian try to eliminate some of them. The coyotes seem to be more of a problem this year that usual.  The weather has been cold at night this week, about 15 degrees. Spring is slow to come!

Cynthia, Nelson Ranch

Heifer Pair

"I am Proud"

Early Morning

Hiding

 

Leader of the Pack




 



House Warming Parties

We had our typical early March snow storm on March 7th!  Had about 8 inches of snow. Had to bring in some calves that were slow to start to "warm " them up.  We put them in front of our wood stove and warm them up.  We then take them back to the barn and their mothers.



 

Warming up!

Our dog Garrett is helping with this calf that was born on a cold morning and also needed "warming up"

 

Hopefully this will be our last big snow of the year, but we do appreciate the moisture!

 

 

We put out lot's of straw for the cows and calves so they can be comfortable even in the snow. Happy cows and Happy calves!

 

Cynthia Nelson, Nelson Ranch

 

 



100th Calf!

Brian and Nick tagging 100th calf

On March 4th we tagged the 100th calf, we are getting about 15 a day or more. After we tag the calf and give it some vaccines, we turn the pair out in a separate pasture.

Turning out

"My Turn!"

Cow and calf waiting to go out gate. The older cows know the routine and some even wait at the gate!

"I am Cute!"

      Heifers in the back pen behind house waiting for their turn to calve. We put the closest ones in this pen to watch them better and put them in the barn when they start calving. These are the 2 and 3 year old heifers. Every day brings us new life and the birthing of new calves is always an exciting event. It makes long days but we ranchers care about our cows. Stay tuned for more weekly stories.   Cynthia,  Nelson Ranch.

 

 

Calving Time in Full Swing

March has arrived and today really felt like Spring is coming.  It was warm and sunny about 45 degrees. The snow is finally melting which then brings on the great thaw!  We now have 68 calves and they are arriving in full swing. Today we tagged 15.

Heifer pen

 

We check the cow and heifer pens every 3 to 4 hours round the clock to monitor their progress and get the number of the cow who has the calf.  We first make sure the calf  has sucked, if not we have to give them colstrum that we mix up from powder and water and have to Tube the calf with it. Most calves get up and suck within an hour with only a few that may be "slow'.

"Awe Mom"  Brahma Baby

 

 We then tag the calf with the mother's number and give the calf some vaccines, treat their navel with iodine and band the male calves. The weight of the calves range from 40 pounds to up to 90. Our average is about 60 - 70 pounds.

 We put the first time mother heifers usually in the barn when they are ready to calve to help them focus on their calf and bond with it. We then turn them out in a separate pasture with all the pairs together.

Heifer Barn

 

  It takes alot of teamwork each of us taking a shift to check all of them. It takes about 45 minutes to go through the herds. At night, Nick checks at about 9 pm,  I, Cynthia, check about midnight and Brian checks in the early am about 4 or 5.

Calf pile

 

 If there is any problems we help each other. At times we have to pull a calf and assist in a delivery if a leg is back or if the calf is breeched. For the most part they calve on their own.

 

Happy Calf!

Again, will continue to update our progress with the calving season!

Cynthia, Nelson Ranch