Herd Mates

"A day in the country is worth a month in the city."

The herd had some visitors last weekend.

They brought treats and conversation for me AND for my cows.

 I LOVE Meals on Wheels!!!

As soon as they unloaded the fresh clam chowder, snickerdoodles and tapioca for me, we grabbed the case of graham crackers and headed down to the farm to chat and chew with the herd. 

 

 We had some fun quality time with the girls.

 

 The herd were polite and recieved their sweet treats gently.

 

 

I take great pride in seeing my city friends being so comfortable around all kinds of livestock.

I have known them since I was 15 so they have been subjected to all kinds of species as I grew up.

I started in 4H at a young age, so I had the rabbits, cavies, ducks and geese.

As I got a little older I rescued an ancient Hampshire ewe that I had befriended at school and who was headed to the school slaughter house because she did not get bred.

I put her in my old blue car and drove her home. 16 days later she had a big ram lamb and that started the beginning of my flock.

Then the horses came. Cows were the next natural step after working on dairy farms and big southern ranches.

These 2 friends came to the dairy farm I worked on and camped out in the field in a red tent (that the cows did not like) and helped me do chores, bring the cows in and carry the pails of milk to the bulk tank.

Anyhow, they have persevered with my different life style and the constant animals and personal challenges in my life.

My own brother is not that comfortable around my herd.  I always chuckle about that.

Oh well.....

As the morning wore on, the special tricks started.  There is always "one in every crowd" who has to show how brave they are with graham crackers....

 

After we left the herd we went to go pick up some local meat I had ordered.

My friends got to see another farm, meet another farmer and see where my lamb came from.

It was a fun adventure.

That evening we attended a local chorus. There were 78 singers and a huge harp on the stage and they sang like angels.

We met the harp and the harp owner.

 

Next day we went to church.

We sang a lot.

 

I took photos of the oldest church member. (96)

We visited rural cemeteries where relatives are laid to rest and deer run through the field.

 

 Then we came to my place and picked Brussel sprouts.

 

And bagged them up for their trip home.

I cooked lunch (no fires), we talked, laughed, made plans and had a joyous time.

In the process I packed up some eggs for them to take home so they can enjoy the wonderful taste of really really fresh eggs.  

The cows were visited again, a few more errands were accomplished and then it was time for my dear guests to head home.

 

 I think I wore them out.

They are such party animals.

Have you had any wonderful guests lately?

What did you send them home with ?
~

Cow Talk and New Calves

The herd was chewing on their bale and chatting about the green grass that is just growing outside of their reach.

The rest of the herd was trying to get me to drop the fence so they could eat all the grass that is starting to grow on the other fields.
They are very persistant.

I went and visited the neighbors cows and discovered a new calf.

He soon figured out how to get some nice warm milk on this chilly morning.

Then he came running over to me.

Nothing like cute calves in the morning!

You got any favorite calves running around your area yet?
~

Ms. Smudge

Name:  Smudge 

Age: DOB August 2010

This calf was here with her herd when I moved my herd to this farm in September 2010

Occupation(s): Mischief maker, Centerfold, Networking expert, Official Field Greeter, Cow teaser and Arobics instructor.

Outstanding Qualities:  Photogenic, Independent, Comical, Plays Well With Others

She may be small and dainty, but her personality is Big and she is a real survivor.

In a short 6 weeks this remarkable calf has escaped a barn fire and a fatal barn collapse.

Her elastic personality serves her well.

She is easy to photograph and finds her way into the majority of my photos.

No matter where I aim my camera, she is there and posing with her friends.

left to right: Panda, Smudge, Shorty

She often gives me that cute  "nose up" sign.

When I pull my camera out of my pocket she stops what she is doing and waits until I am done clicking and then walks off...with her bff.

She occasionally hangs out with her Aunt at the local watering hole and is not afraid to socialize with adults and chew some cud.

And she loves loves loves being out in snowstorms.    Her activity level increases with the speed of the falling snow.   Smudge initiates a game of  "chase me around the barnyard" and behind the Club house shed.  She gallops over snowdrifts with half the herd trying to follow her as she does a lap around the field.

Even though she is the smallest heifer, she leads the pack of August calves.
She is the "boss calf."

Where she goes, the others follow. She often leads the afternoon walk to the watering hole.  As I get out of my truck she starts heading my way with her pals.

And every day I watch Smudge wrestle with a few adults.

She runs circles around them and then comes back and.....

Butts head...and sometimes stays in this position for 10 minutes.

I haven't seen any of the other calves do this.

Smudge is always aware of people entering "her" barnyard and field and often comes over to sniff a guest from a safe 10 feet away.   She is very independent and takes every opportunity to make sure everyone knows it.

Except during bath time.... when she complains and whines just like any other kid who does not want anyone to see her being washed by her mom in public.

We are lucky to have her.

Mothers & Daughters

Its getting closer to weaning time.   It is snowing those big sugar flakes, a little every morning, as the temperatures dip lower and lower in the night. The geese are headed south and the robins are nowhere to be seen anymore.
The calves are running through the fields with vim and vigor as their moms chase after them or merely take a look over the last of the seasons grass to make sure their kids aren't getting into trouble.

Jillian was giving her mom,Wanda, a face bath this morning as I entered the field for our morning cow chat.

These two are always the most interesting to watch.  They play and tease each other like 2 big Golden Retrievers. None of the other cows play with their calves like Wanda does.  She is the most unusual cow I have ever had.
Mellow, protective, playful, WISE, gentle, fussy about her snacks and vocal when it is time to go to a greener field.
All her calves wean heavy and calm. I would love to keep this heifer as a replacement. Wanda's heifer calf from last year was also incredible, but a friend wanted her so I sent her to a new pasture.

These two walk with me all over the field as I check all the other cows and calves.  Sometimes they also escort me all the way back to my truck.

I am always under the all-knowing, watchful eye of Wanda.

Too bad cows can't vote.