Timely check
The cows thought I had come to rescue them from boredom. ‘Fraid not.
The first Jersey cow, 137 circling as I entered the gate, no sign of milk fever, thought she was underway and then noticed that in fact she was chasing a brown calf into the herd.
A nice big heifer. She’s one of the best Jerseys in the herd; I’m pleased.
A few paces along the fenceline came across a cast heifer, feet in the air, lying on the bottom wire. My heart started beating again when her hind feet wriggled. She objected to my attempt to grab a leg and haul her out of the hollow. A clap of the hands and “Up!” did the trick – up she got.
There’s 126 the second Jersey cow, looking quite depressed of side and very much on her feet and sober. A few metres away, a very little brown and white calf – checked under the tail, yes, it’s a heifer. Having quite a run of them. No biggie, this one’s not for keeping.
Then I saw the other. Almost identical in size and markings. Twin’s a bull.
Continuing the circuit – you trying to take 154′s calf, 120? Nope, this one’s a bull and it’s her own calf – that was quick. 154 wandering aimlessly around. I had a neckband for her heifer calf but didn’t see it again. In pushes 97. Yeah right. Checked out her back end.
She’s on the job. She’s not due till August, but calfs come when calfs come. I got her and 21 others trucked back from the other farm on Friday – yesterday.
Next check 6 or 6:30 am.
23 is aiming for a record in monotonous bellowing – she’s still going, has been non-stop since the end of milking. I can’t hear the calves from here but could when I went out.
I spoke too soon. She’s either stopped or taking a breather.
