Thursday, February 10, 2011

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Well things have been on super speed pace here the last couple days. A routine heart stress test for my grandmother had to be scraped and a scheduled heart cathetertization scheduled for early this morning. Well turns out that the catheterization turned into surgery to place a stent in her heart where there was a 95% blockage. She has come out of surgery and I just spoke to her by phone and she is already joking, so things look good. As for the cattle it has been hard on them with night temps dipping to the single digits and possibably zero tonight. Commercial cow #75 had a healthy heifer calf last night in this crazy weather but all is well. Bull G509U continues to improve and we determined that T091 had an abscess on his chest and it has been drained and antibiotics will cure any problems with it. Try and stay warm for those of you min the colder regions and the ones in the warmer ones the rest of us envy your comfort. Have a good evening!

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Monday February 8, 2010

Well ol'man winter has once again arrived high temps today around 20 and snow all day.  Heavy snow falling as I type.  Out early to feed and check the cattle today on a regular pace.  Nice to see G509U up and moving, about the injury; turns out to be severe bruising in his left shoulder and is starting to subside and he is rapidly putting more and more weight on it everyday.  Cows are getting heavy as we expect several cows to calve the first week in March and have all them by April 15.  Have to head out soon in the wintry mess to a mineral meeting with the local Southern States COOP where I serve as a Board of Director...but hey FREE MEAL...more snow expected overnight thru Wednesday oh how we are ready to see green grass and sunshine here in WV

Sunday, February 6, 2011

February 6, 2011

Well a quick day today feeding, home already and it is only 11AM, arrived at the lower farm this morning to feed and was greeted by a little surprise.  First calf heifer 4709 had he first calf a healthy little heifer.  As I went to tag her I noticed something I have never seen before, on her left cheek is a small white spot in the shape of a heart, how fitting is that on a Sunday morning here around valentines day.  Maybe it is a message.  Well taking the rest of the day to relax and watch the Superbowl later this evening.  Hope you all have a nice day as well.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

February 5, 2011

Well woke up to a foggy damp morning at 32 degrees here.  No ice as forecasted thankfully.  Got some much needed help today from Lisa and Howard and completed the 1500 foot stretch of fence to divide the south pastures.  Cattle were not motivated this morning and moving a little sluggish in the nasty damp weather, however they ate and laid down and watched us all afternoon.  An update on G509U...he was up and about this morning still with a severe limp but moved more than yesterday.  So a very productive day here, with some snow showers in store for tonight.

Friday, February 4, 2011

February 4, 2011

Well not a lot to add today other than, me and my Uncle (Howard) got all the post in the ground for the new 1500 foot section of fence, all that is left is the wire...so a much need accomplished task there.  As for the bull G509U still severely injured today, didn't move much more than about 100 feet all day, so I now have 3 injured bulls and the "bull pen" is getting smaller.  First calf heifer 209 had her first little fella this morning a bull calf who will now be known as #311.  Calling for a ice tonight and rain all day tomorrow, so another slow day ahead I assume.  Hard day to feed as well cattle don't eat as they should in cold rainy/icy conditions.  Well after a productive day here it is time to relax a bit before turning the page.  Have a great evening!

Thursday, February 3, 2011

February 3, 2011

Well after a breath of fresh air yesterday and temperatures in the high 40's...keep in mind it hasn't been this warm since Thanksgiving. I awoke to 14 degrees and a fresh dusting of snow...REALLY
Well after a bad day yesterday of losing a calf due to the severe mud and torment of coyotes to the young heifer, I discovered an open cow and the bull had been injured and was not able to breed.  So loaded up G509U as a back up and took him to the other farm and turned him out.  In the process noticed T091 had been injured as well in bull lot.  On the way to the farm with trailer in tow, a passing semi chucks a rock from its tire and busts the mirror on the Dodge.  Upon arrival at the lower farm and turning G509U out with the cows he and 207 take to organizing the pecking order.  While I am loading the feed wagon they continue to fight.  As I pull into the field and G509U realizes there is food he forfeits the fight and 207 takes a cheap shot and knocks G509U to the ground yet stoving his front leg.  Well finished all the feeding and took a load of feed back to the bull lot.  Checked on the status of the farm truck and it will be back up and running in a day or so.  So now back home to wait for the sky to fall...I mean what else can happen here...well hopefully nothing, so we wrap up today in preparation to drive some posts tomorrow to erect a division fence on the lower farm.  Hope everyone has a nice evening.