These are the heifers out at pasture. We had to bring them all down today as a cow that was running with them had a calf early and we needed to get her in. We pulled all the drys and close up heifers out of there and put them with the milk cows so we don't have to bring the whole bunch in every time there is a calf. It is easier to watch them when they are with the milking herd as we bring them all in twice every day and they get handled more. Also we will be turning a bull out there in the next couple of days to catch any the shorthorn bull missed and we don't want to have to go in with him and try to take cattle out.
We got a heavy dose of Barry over the past couple of days with heavy rains, high winds and amazingly cold temperatures. It will go down to 37 tonight and was in the low 40s last night. I felt sorry for the show heifers that are running out with the cows. They were so cold this morning that their hair was standing all on end and they looked awful. Cows don't usually mind chilly weather, but they were so wet when it turned cold that it was rough on them. The darned wind flattened the irises, which were spectacular this year....oh, well, we had them for a few days and it is supposed to get better tomorrow.
On the upside, I wish I could bottle a couple gallons of Mohawk Valley air right now and send it where ever you are. All along the valley thousands of locust trees and billions of wild grapes are in bloom all at the same time. The scent is like the freshest, cleanest, sun dried laundry you could imagine. It sneaks up on you when you least expect it, bringing a moment of sheer delight. I want to find someone who will let me dig a couple of black locust seedlings and plant them up near the bowling green where we lost the big apple tree last year. Then I can enjoy them up close and personal every June from now on.
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8 comments:
I guess to you they all look different but I'm afraid I would lose my place rearranging them.
Hi Jan, well, among the five of us we know most of them...and we do ear tag them when they are little. Of course they lose the ear tags pretty often, but we have under a hundred head so it isn't as hard as it seems. The Jerseys throw me a curve though. Most of ours are chocolate and cinnamon brown, they all descend from one cow and they all look terribly alike.
What a lovely description of Mohawk Valley air this time of year. I know that scent of grapes - and wonder if I've missed locust.
Hope those little Heifers are OK. I hear your concern and the way perhaps you try to be stoic about it as you are about your flattened iris.
Life is beautiful. It isn't always easy.
A life lived with animals out in nature is nothing if not an adventure!
I, too, loved your description of the sweet air. Our yard is filled with the perfumed air of Locusts in bloom. It's my most favorite smell.
Thanks, Cathy, I just love the scent. I hate to know that it is almost done for the year. The wild roses will be next, but they are just not as pleasant. The heifers are fine...it is pleasantly warm now
AMWD...you are right, it is never dull around here. You are lucky to have locusts right there. There are thousands nearby but none on our land or adjacent to it.
Sorry Cubby, wish you were here
Ahhhh...Mohawk Valley Air....love it. :-) In just 3 weeks I'll be up there breathing in all that sweet air! Can't wait.
Nice blog! :-)
Hi Kim, Thanks for visiting. Hope the valley is still wearing its spring finery when you arrive.
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