The Day After Walda

  Walda, our April 2013 blizzard, has moved on finally and now we are left behind with lots of snow drifts, some lingering wind and of course hungry cows!  While it is definitely intense and stressful the during a blizzard, I have always thought that the day after was the hardest one.  I don't know if it's because everyone is so tired from spending sleepless nights taking care of newborns and their mamas or what but it is a long day nonetheless. 

  The guys have taken the tractor and are trying to get hay to all of the livestock.  They left with a cell phone in case I have trouble and this message...."There is a heifer calving in the lot, she's wild, so you can't go up there but watch her.  If the calf gets cold, then try to call us."  Well, the heifer did calve and I am currently sitting at the kitchen island, watching him try to nurse.  Here is the calf when he is just a few minutes old.

  We have this amazing set of trees that are my Grandpa planted and then Dad added to in our calving lot.  If the temps are not too bad usually above 20 degrees and the wind is out of the north (so the trees block all of it), then we don't have to take newborns to the barn unless they do not get up and nurse right away.  I find it downright amazing how quick the little calves can get to their feet and find their first meal after birth, especially after witnessing the miracle of childbirth personally. 

  Back to our day after the storm and dealing with livestock.  We split up the nightshift last night.  Boss Man took the 9PM & 5AM check,  Hubby and I went out at 11:30pm and at 2:15am.  Since it was the middle of the night, it seemed easier to go as a team since it takes two to get a cow into the barn around here.  This is not the gentlest herd of cows that we have had!  Hubby is working on that by spending lots of time with our heifers after they are weaned.  Luckily, we only had one calf born and that was just before we got to the corral at 2:15, so Hubby quickly grabbed the calf and carried him to the barn while I held the cow.  Then we worked together and got her in the barn with her baby after a few trial runs! 

  After it got daylight this AM, Hubby and Boss Man went and checked on some other cows that are close to calving but not in the heavy lot at the house.  All was well there, thankfully.  Then they worked on getting a few pairs out of the barn to make fun for any that might need to in there today. 

Tagging calves and pairing them out of the barn and corral.

So, one cow left without her calf.  Hubby is actually holding a calf on his lap to take to the cow.

Dropping of little calf.

Mama found him!  Success!

  They got this chore done and then went to check on the other pairs that are down in a shelter belt about 1/2 mile from the house.  All seemed well there so then it was on to get the tractor and feed hay all of the cattle.

Feeding hay to the heavies.

  Well, I am pretty certain that my baby calf nursed his mama and the tractor just showed back up.  We will continue this day by watching cows and feeding the rest of the livestock.  Hope that everyone stays warm!!!!

Have a Blessed Day!
~C~