Fall calving

Fall calving has started. In order to have two distinct seasons for calving the bulls are only with the cows at certain timed intervals.

This is so calves aren’t starting out life at the beginning of a long hot summer, or at the start of an intensely cold winter. Also, if births are expected then the cows can be more closely monitored in case assistance is needed

Flies are still a bit of an issue in fall so Lynn sprays them with a fly repellant after he puts in their ID tag.

Spraying the calf with fly repellant so it is less likely to catch diseases like Pinkeye.

The tags help the farmer keep track of which calf belongs with with which cow. Farmers use records to keep track of the day of birth, approximate birth weight, who the dam (mother) is, and other pertinent information. Lynn uses an agriculture pocket calendar. He transfers data later.

Writing in “The Red Book”. Sometimes I sneak and write things I want Lynn to remember in this book since he looks at it so frequently.

As a natural prey animal, cow instinctually hide their calves who press themselves down on the ground in the tall grass.

Sometimes they hide too well and Cows “lose” their babies. To make sure they are kept up with daily they are checked to make sure the cows have been nursed…but that is not always enough. Occasionally a calf will nurse a cow that is not it’s mother. So all the cows and calves must be found daily for a health check.

Minerals and feeds are given as needed and to keep the cows “hand fed” gentle. Gentle cows are more apt to let you help them without trying to injure you.

Some, like this cow never completely are trusting.

This cute little calf has a crecent moon on it’s forehead.

I’m sure the girls will come up with a fun name for this calf.

Barring any major problems with the cows that need immediate attention, next the bulls are fed.

Claire takes an opportunity to pose solo while Lynn makes sure a Bull has plenty of feed and water.

When the girls and I tag along this is “goof off time”. Bulls are not to be trusted so I make sure my lively rascals don’t venture into the bull pen

Both kids like photos. When it is their idea.

Then it’s off to repeat the entire performance somewhere else at another farm. Land is hard to come by here due to the population growth. In order to make enough money to make a living it is necessary to utilize several farm tracts. Three main larger land locations are farmed along with several smaller acreage places.

It keeps the farmers on the road a lot. Lynn has put more miles on his truck by almost double than I have on my car. And I travel occasionally for work.

The modern silo as we know it was invented in 1873. It was designed to store harvested grains. These silos were designed for silage for dairy cows and are no longer in use on this farm that used to be a dairy. Lynn uses shorter, wider grain storage “grain bins” instead.

The grey round things on the right side are grain bins. These are still used for storage, and Lord willing soon they will be full with this year’s harvest.

The corn is now turning brown and drying out. As it reaches a certain moisture percentage it will be harvested. If it’s harvested at too high of a moisture percentage it will spoil in the grain storage bin.

Corn starting to dry down. This is one of the first signs that fall is on its way.

The soybeans are just beginning to end their growing season. Soon they will also be turning color and drying.

This is one of my favorite soybean fields.

Today is Labor Day. It’s past 5:00pm, and I’ve yet to hear word from Lynn of when he might be done with work today. He is mowing lots and cleaning up around little paddocks to keep things trimmed and neat.

Happy Labor Day Friends!