Excitement is Building

You know that feeling of anticipation and excitement as something you are looking forward to is getting close?  That is me right now!

Just as the sun rises everyday, new times are coming to the farm.  We are making final preparations for our first calf of the season.  Cows are moved to the house.  This is so we can watch them more closely in case they have a difficult labor and/or delivery.

This time of year always excites me.  I love seeing the babies start out and grow.  The challenges that come with calves that need extra help so that they can thrive can never be completely anticipated.  We look at each pair as the calf is born and determine what if anything extra needs to be done for one or both of them.  This does not just stop right after birth.  We monitor these cows and calves multiple times a day to do our best to discover problems that may arise as early as possible.  This early detection allows us to use less intensive measures to fix the problems (illness, injury).

I am anticipating this calving season even more because the Windy Hill Farm family has grown and I can see how these new members react to the joys and trials of this season.  To watch the smiles as the calves are running and playing in the field will be a Blessing for me.

While I am excited, there is much left to get done.  We have a fence that needs repaired and barn stalls that need to be prepped.  The stalls will be bedded down and inspected to make sure they do not need repair.  We need to double check equipment that we may need to use to assist in a delivery to make sure it is working order.  The kit that we put together to grab in case we have to assist in a delivery needs to be completed.  The supply of medications and supplies that may may be needed will be placed in a box so that we can grab it quickly and get it to the barn when we need to do so.  Flashlights inspected so we have them for night and early morning checks.  Batteries purchased for flashlights.  There are many more tasks that need to be completed.  I should do those instead of sitting here typing......

So with anticipation of that first calf arriving, I am going to finish preparing and will let you know when we have officially started this calving season!

Until next time, remember.......Beef, It's What's for Dinner!

Passing on the Love of Cattle and Farming

This little one and her family came into our lives just a short time ago, but we love them just the same.  This one loves to come out and see the cows.  She has no fear of them and loves them.  As soon as she walks in the door, she wants to go see the cows.  It warms my heart to have their family coming out and joining us on the farm.

Starting the next generation out young and getting them on the farm is the only way this awesome way of life is going to continue.  Getting them to understand what needs to happen, doing it and loving it will create the next generation of farmers so that family farms do not become extinct.  While they are not biologically family, they are still part of us. With the skills the learn they may be able to start their own farm or continue to help others out.  If nothing else, they will be exposed to agriculture and know some of what it takes to get their food to their table.

Until next time, remember.......Beef, It's What's for Dinner!