It was brutal. Cold. Snow. Slight breeze. From 50 degrees to -25… it’s hard on everything.
The guys were working themselves to exhaustion. Tess was right in there, Megan and I helped when we could. Although most of the heifers have calved, the cows started calving too. Anything born in that weather needed to be discovered immediately.
Driving home from the library, I saw Daniel pull in to one place with the pickup and horse trailer. That’s not a good sign this time of year.
I drove in behind him, grabbing my snow boots and extra hat and I dug around for some gloves. Always grateful for being able to wear jeans at my library job, I stepped out into the zero temperature.
“Dad’s got one calving. We’re going to haul her to the calving shed.”
Vernon drove up and they took off on their four wheelers to herd her into the horse trailer. My job was to make sure she turned into the trailer and not THROUGH the panels!
The pickup and horse trailer are parked parallel to the fence about eight feet away. That gives you a basic “alley” for the cow to run down.
Two portable panels were set up at the back of the trailer turning the “alley” into the trailer. I was told to be here, standing off a bit, but ready to step forward to encourage the cow to enter the trailer.
It took two tries, but we got her.
She’ll get to calve in relative comfort.
These four days of deep snow and bitter cold were brutal and difficult. We had some loss. Today was brilliant and beautiful and 50 degrees. I think we’d be thrilled with a consistent 20* and sunshine… but we don’t get to pick. I’m just looking forward to when the guys can sleep without nighttime checks…
Find me here!
I’m always amazed at what you do for the cows. Hope they appreciate it.
Extreme weather is not easy for man nor beast. Hope things modify a bit soon, so all your remaining cows can calve in the safety and comfort of the calving shed. TC of yourselves, too.
Thinking of you
Hope your weather stabilizes. We went from the 70s – bees were bringing in pollen and building up brood nest – to the teens last night. Hoping I had big enough clusters to prevent chilled brood. It’s always something!
Hope you are all well!!
Jean
Glad you got the mama cow to a safe place to give birth. Minus 19C is the coldest I have known and that was during the night. Slightly warmer during day but I learnt that out walking on the common I needed a HAT. Enjoy your warmer temps.
I doubt that most people ever associate those conditions with being a rancher, although if they did they might appreciate that burger or steak more. I definitely appreciate what ya’ll do. Thanks.