Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Babies, Babies, Babies!!!!

One of our many baby calves, this is Hauney.
So it's been a little while since I posted a blog, and it's not from lack of trying, but from lack of sleep.  I think we have spent the entire month of January on "Baby Watch".  We knew we were expecting a large number of calves this month, but you never realize how many there are until they are all born and ready to eat!!!  So our tally (so far...I have one more cow due with a set of twins for this week)...





  • 33 calves since Christmas from 29 cows.
  • 18 heifer calves (girls)
  • 11 bull calves (boys)
  • 4 loved baby calves still born (I always miss my lost ones!)
  • Currently feeding 27 calves on milk!!!  Lots of hungry babies to play with!
Even though we have so many calves, I can assure you that we are not skipping over our chores or doing a poor job.  Each calf is important, just as important as their mothers.  We strive to give each of them the best care possible, even if that means some short sleep nights and early mornings for us.  I have been doing the 3am checks for calves this entire month.  I am certain that I am checking my dry cows (expectant mothers) at least 10 times a day, waiting for the next little blessing.  Cold Minnesota weather has also offered a challenge.  It is critical that we move the calves quickly to get them into the warm nursery.  It's also equally critical that we get our cows to the milking barn after calving.  Both cows and calves are moved to prevent them from experiencing frost bite in these frigid temperatures (-10 to -20's last week).  February looks to be a lighter calving month, and a much needed break for this active dairy farmer! Stay tuned for more pictures and videos from the calf barn!

4 comments:

  1. Hi there,

    Just wanted to let you know - that as an Australian in the dairy industry - I really like reading your updates - keep them going.

    Thanks

    Robbie

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  2. Robbie: Thanks for checking in on us! I hope to add some more posts soon!

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  3. Hi there, also an Aussie and a friend of Robbie's, wondering how much your little coats cost? I had a tiny baby girl (Pygmy - she's a bit of a legend, and well known through our dairy industry website), anyway, she was born around 13 kg and 5-6 weeks early on a horrendous winter night. I wrapped her for the next 5 or so weeks in one of my Ridgebacks jackets and believe it to be the main reason she survived!

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  4. Clance: Those calf jacket are about $30 (USA) each. They are made for a holstein calf (75-110 pounds). I might suggest a Jersey calf model (built for a smaller calf). Check out the site below: http://www.uddertechinc.com/index.php?mod=Products&type=main_item&main_id=93

    ReplyDelete

I write this blog to share my passion for my cows and farming, please be respectful of that. I reserve the right to delete those comments which portray hate, call names, and are out right disrespectful. If you have an honest question, I will respond, to explain what we do on our farm, why we do it and how we do it. Please read with an open mind. My time to blog is short, as most of our days are spent caring for our beloved cows. Thank you!