This is all for the age and source verification program so we get a premium at slaughter.
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Friday, November 28, 2008
Black Friday
J had plans for black Friday other than shopping. We had to work the calves that will be sent out west to the feedlot next month.This involved getting 100 calves up, through the chute one at a time, giving 2 vaccinations, and tagging with an EID (electronic identification) tag. I had to keep up with the EID tags, record the number and the corresponding calf ear tag.
This is all for the age and source verification program so we get a premium at slaughter.
This is all for the age and source verification program so we get a premium at slaughter.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Drought
Our area has been in a drought for some time now. J is estimating 2 years. The spring that feeds this trough that the horses use and another one at the barn the show calves drink from, has pretty much dried up for now.J has borrowed a 250 gallon water tank that fits in the back of the pick-up truck to start hauling water to fill the 500+ gallon tire troughs up.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Working Cattle
We had to work cattle today. We kept waiting for a good day that corresponded with one of my days off but it never worked out so we did it today in 20 degree weather.We vaccinated and dewormed the cows,
Friday, November 21, 2008
Snow Day 2
Today's automated call cancelling school came at 6:10 am. I don't think the weather station was even calling for snow until after it started snowing last night.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Career Day
Our local Elementary School had a career day today. I took Emma as a visual aid. Despite to day being poorly run (4 min. each for groups of 2-6 from 9am to 12 pm), Emma did wonderful.I forgot to take her in yesterday for a bath so I sprayed her with doggy cologne, brushed her well and took hand sanitiser for any of the kids that petted her to use. Of course all 100+ students petted, hugged, and rolled on the floor with her. The nurse sharing the same room requested she not be in with the dog next year because her plastic baby doll wasn't getting the same attention.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Snow Day
The day started out with a 6 am call from the new school alert system to tell us that school would be 2 hours late. Nothing like waking up early to be told you don't have to get up early.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Show Calves
Friday, November 14, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Strip Grazing
J has been strip grazing the hay field this fall. We have a one strand electric fence that he puts across the field to let the cattle have enough grass for 3-4 days. Then he moves the fence to let them have a little more.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Fall Decorations
A friend gave me a few pumpkins a couple of weeks ago.
Since we live so far off the road I didn't bother with a Jack-O-Lantern this year, but I am still enjoying the bright orange colors.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Feeding Time
After the calves are weaned the goal is to try and get them to start eating a concentrate feed. It always seems like the scrawny calves take off eating better that the fat ones. J has to haul out 400 pounds of feed in his trusty wheelbarrow. (It's the same one I remember watching my father mix batch after batch of cement in to build rock walls. And carry me around in the yard after picking up leaves in the fall.)
Friday, November 7, 2008
Pergola
Progress is finally being made on the pergola. After months of looking at a bear patch of dirt I at last made a trip to Lowe's and purchased the necessary supplies.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Working Pens
We recently improved the working facilities at our other farm. I don't have a picture that does justice to the before, but suffice it to say a lot of twine was involved.
Now we have several sorting pens, a loading alley, and a covered head gate. I think things will run smoother the next time we have to work the cattle here.
Now we have several sorting pens, a loading alley, and a covered head gate. I think things will run smoother the next time we have to work the cattle here.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Trail Ride
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Oreo
Oreo has been into quite a few things this fall.After I pulled out a bunch a annuals, raked and swept, I found him in this mess.