The Boys

We have to appreciate the peaceful moments when they happen.  Beau, Bert, pasture for sheep and a quiet country driveway.

Mr. Bert himself.

Sheep specks on the left, rain barrel and a water trough.

Mineral feeder, old barn, peace.

Dave's driveway.

Mr. Beau, awaiting his chow.

Un Poco de Todo

Started with the rectal thermometer, which registered a temp of 101.9 (which is more or less normal,) indicating the heifer does not have pneumonia or some other problem we really want to avoid. 
Then everything else was difficult.  Tasks that should've (or perhaps COULD have) taken 20 minutes instead took two hours.




I felt like this girl.









But there were certain things that had to be done because we're days away from putting the bulls in with the cows for breeding...and sometimes if you can't go over it and you can't go under it, you gotta go through it.

So, this bull here, that bull there, those heifers to this place, those steers in with these cows, load the trailer, unload the trailer, repeat.  Worm cows steers heifers and calves.  Spray with a citronella-type fly spray (at least that smelled nice).  Vaccinate some off-cycle calves in anticipation of weaning.  Restring some temporary fencelines knocked down by rowdy girls.  Eat.  Check on pigs, goats, lambs, rams, dogs.  Trim some hooves.  Milk some of the goats who produce more than their kids can handle to prevent mastitis (without getting kicked).  Collect eggs.  Wash eggs....

Somehow it was 7pm and I was home.  It took me a few minutes to remember how the morning started before I was able to write...but at the end of the day, everyone is where they're supposed to be, and we somehow keep moving forward.

PuppyFix

We all need a little puppy fix from time to time, so here's one to save for a rainy day.

Some Day

I thought today I would use a rectal thermometer to take a heifer's temperature.  A first for the both of us.  But things don't always go as we expect (although I was prepared with rubber gloves and everything!)  Instead, the heifer took off and took out a temporary fence we had put up with polywire, disregarding the electric shock in favor of tall fresh grass without people near.  As Danny put it, "You can go from optimistic to discouraged so quickly."  Ain't that the truth.


It was a lovely sunny day however, and spirits were generally high.  Athena showed off her playful side (or mainly patient?), letting Danny dress her up with his hat.

 

Not a bad look for the old girl.

The puppies were in full CuteForce as well, not they ever missed a day of it since being born about a month ago.  Their latest thing is trying to climb over the hay bale (in place to block their exit) and out to the barnyard (since that's where MamaBelle often lays panting while she makes more milk).  The pups aren't quite big enough to get over the bale, so they jump, cling with two front paws, and then slooowly slip backwards.  Sometimes you can catch the realization they're not gonna make it cross their furry little faces. 

As for the temperature-taking, there's always tomorrow.