After a two-day break, calving got back under way last Thursday. While it was extremely misty in the morning, we took a chance to empty what slurry tanks we could. Having contractors do this allowed me focus on the cattle.
Three cows calved in a nice orderly fashion. However, the last calf was the first lazy one of the season. This 45kg lump required a bit more help than the rest of the calves who have landed so far.
Naturally, this one landed late in the evening as I was headong off for a rehearsal. I was delayed a bit, but thankfully the others involved in the production are very understanding. They had to be when I showed up unshowered with the scent of calf and slurry.
With the rain easing slightly for an hour or two on Sunday morning, I left the first four calved cows out to grass for an hour. Ground conditions were soft but their stay out was short. Key to the success of this is allowing them to come to the shed gate to look at the calves. They were joined by the next three who calved on Wednesday and all seven are into the routine now.
If a cow was going to calve, it would be either as the rugby match was to kick off or as I was about to leave for Rossmore for the opening drama night.
There was another break in calving until Sunday. I figured if a cow was going to calve, it would be either as the rugby match was to kick off or as I was about to leave for Rossmore for the opening drama night.
All seemed OK in the shed about lunch time, until Dad rang and asked: “What time is the match at?” Sure enough when I checked the camera, a second-calver carrying twins was beginning to calve. I said I’d watch the match until half-time and keep observing the cow from the comfort of the house. She was forcing, but with no results, a sure sign that one was coming backwards.
I went out and stalled her, got the gloves on to investigate and I had assumed right. I got the legs out, ropes on and dusted down the calving jack. The first calf came arse first but alive. I attached the legs to the second calf and got him out without much effort.
It took my mind off the nerves for a bit when we went live last weekend. Enough bits went wrong for us to spend more time correcting them, but at least the hard work of January and February when we met for over 34 nights in a six-week period began to pay off.
Read more
Calving diary: Lights, (calving) camera, action
After a two-day break, calving got back under way last Thursday. While it was extremely misty in the morning, we took a chance to empty what slurry tanks we could. Having contractors do this allowed me focus on the cattle.
Three cows calved in a nice orderly fashion. However, the last calf was the first lazy one of the season. This 45kg lump required a bit more help than the rest of the calves who have landed so far.
Naturally, this one landed late in the evening as I was headong off for a rehearsal. I was delayed a bit, but thankfully the others involved in the production are very understanding. They had to be when I showed up unshowered with the scent of calf and slurry.
With the rain easing slightly for an hour or two on Sunday morning, I left the first four calved cows out to grass for an hour. Ground conditions were soft but their stay out was short. Key to the success of this is allowing them to come to the shed gate to look at the calves. They were joined by the next three who calved on Wednesday and all seven are into the routine now.
If a cow was going to calve, it would be either as the rugby match was to kick off or as I was about to leave for Rossmore for the opening drama night.
There was another break in calving until Sunday. I figured if a cow was going to calve, it would be either as the rugby match was to kick off or as I was about to leave for Rossmore for the opening drama night.
All seemed OK in the shed about lunch time, until Dad rang and asked: “What time is the match at?” Sure enough when I checked the camera, a second-calver carrying twins was beginning to calve. I said I’d watch the match until half-time and keep observing the cow from the comfort of the house. She was forcing, but with no results, a sure sign that one was coming backwards.
I went out and stalled her, got the gloves on to investigate and I had assumed right. I got the legs out, ropes on and dusted down the calving jack. The first calf came arse first but alive. I attached the legs to the second calf and got him out without much effort.
It took my mind off the nerves for a bit when we went live last weekend. Enough bits went wrong for us to spend more time correcting them, but at least the hard work of January and February when we met for over 34 nights in a six-week period began to pay off.
Read more
Calving diary: Lights, (calving) camera, action
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