Calving Article

Not much time to post, this will be short. As you may know one of our cows is due to calve within the next month according to the vet. Here is a link to an interesting article from the Smoky Mountian Heritage Farm : Dexter Cow Labor and Delivery (WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES OF BIRTH PROCESS). This article shows one of their Dexter cows in the birthing process. Miracles of farm life.

http://www.smokymountainfarm.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=74

Spring

These days of great weather has gotten excited for summer # 2 at our farm. We have spent a couple of nice days outside. Jay loves to play outside with his Tonka trucks, swing, slide and loves to help feed the chi- chi as he says it- or chickens as they're commonly known, LOL. Last week one afternoon, we had a family fence building day, we built a stretch of fence through the woods. We took Jay with us, he played with our dog Jake. Last week we hauled in pigs to butcher, all sold. This week we have cleaned out flower beds and begun to plan out the garden for 2009. Thanks to everyone for the birthday gifts: my wife and son made me a cake and got me a a propane grill; my mom, got me a pressure canner, which I am very excited to use. We also got a haybine which is used to mow hay, which we will be dismantling, repairing, painting putting back together and using. We have also been building a lean to shed off the back of our garage to store firewood and misc inside of.

Hay Baler

Our most recent investment pictured above. A Massey Ferguson #12 Square Hay Baler. This was bought in share with our neighbors the Sayres. It should serve us well, its in great shape, well cared for by 2 older gentlemen that always stored it indoors. Im excited to use it this summer. This was a local purchase from an Ebay auction. We will have it home tomorrow. Enjoy the weekend.

Surgery Successful

As always, were busy. Jays surgery was a success! All went well, we went into Children's in Columbus at about 6am, and were out and on the way home about 10:30am. He had the eye cyst removed, an eye muscle cut to correct for the cyst, and a couple of skin repairs (ear tags removed). He is healing well, the surgery doesn't seem to have slowed him down, hes playing like normal. We are so thankful.

On another note: We thought we had a cow calving this week(one on the left). The cow began stringing mucous, this continued for 2 days before calling the vet for a house call. The vet had no explanation for the mucous, but confirmed the pregnancy, and called it 7 months along with strong pulse and fetus movement, cervix still closed, so no abortion. For info: a cows gestation is approx 283 days, roughly 9 months. This means that she was bred to our red bull, Travis, who is pictured- center.

We have also been cutting more firewood preparing for next winter. We prepared the backside of the garage for building our new lean to shed, which will be 20 ft wide and 12 ft deep.

Spring Tease

This week I was lucky to have great weather on both of my days off. We got alot accomplished in the past week. We layed the new floating wood floor in our sun room, Goal # for 2009, this happened out of necissity not indulgence as the dogs ruined our carpet in one night, its a long story. We also got some storm clean up done, nothing like cleaning up after winters fury. We also had a very commical time loading cows (that he sold) at the Sanders Farm, it took us approx 2 hours to load 4 cows, LOL. Jay got to enjoy time outside, he accompanied me during chores both days, and other misc play time, he loves the outdoors. Summer with Jay with be so much fun. Not to rush the seasons, but the above picture of last spring get me excited warmer weather.

Life without lights

The winter storm that swept through the Mid-West last week left us without electric. The storm left a blanket of snow 3-4" then approx 1/2"-3/4" ice, then another 1-2" of snow, the ice especially was terrible on trees and roads; even the local radio stations shut down. Just like earlier times in history we used our oil lamps for light, and of course our wood stove for heat, we stored food outside in the cold, heated water for dishes and washing on the wood stove, we cooked on the woodstove and white-gas camp stove. I was able to fashion a radio (we lack a battry powered radio!) out of an old car radio, a car battery, and two speakers. The outtage didnt seem to phase Jay, as he played like always. I quote my wife, "at least our house is warm and boring." Life went on as usual, went to work as usual, just closed off a few rooms to keep heat central, and ate great food, chores done the same, and played board and card games (below is a pic of our favorite new game). The electric ceased on Wednesday Jan. 28 and came back on early morning Monday Feb 2; though we borrowed a generator on Saturday the 31st, to run the refridgerator/ freezer. As much of a hassle or inconvenience as it may seem, it was a great vacation from these modern times. Mother Nature you are the boss!

Moving Bubba

The story of our lives: we have been really busy. Recently with the cold snap our lives have revolved around getting chores done, hauling firewood and staying warm. Last week the newest member of our Dexter Cattle herd was delivered, a 15 month old- born Oct 2007, black, dexter heifer, we named Autumn; we will have pictures of her on soon.

This week we borrowed a trailer to move Bubba our Angus Beef steer, to the neighbors farm where he finish growing out until butcher time. The story with Bubba: he was abandonded by his mom, and adopted by one of our dexter cows("Sassy Sally") that had a calf die. They are very attached to one another, he has been impossible to wean, he now towers over her by about 6-8 inches and is 9 months old and still trying suck off mom. We have to wean him, because his mom "Sassy Sally" is carrying a calf to be born this spring, the calf needs the nutrients to grow. He was tough to catch, we ran him into the barn, and then he entered the trailer easily, and unloaded at the Sayres easily. Pulling the full size stock trailer with a Toyota 4 cylinder truck in the snow is another story, LOL. Pictures following of: Farmer Jay and his new farvorite boots (can you tell he is mine?) and moving Bubba following.