Summer Weeks are Crazy

Noms! I want noms!!

So much is happening on the farm right now that I can't keep up. Haying has come to a halt because of the rain, but a few dry days and the men will get back to that. We are rotating the cows from pasture to pasture. They like the old heifer pasture best for some reason and would rather go there, especially at night. However, we are putting them up behind the barn as we need to get that chewed down pretty quickly.

One of the cows in my string started acting strangely about ten days ago. Bailey had been bred in October and re-bred in March. However, after milking along very nicely for a cow so long in milk, she suddenly dropped precipitously in production. Then her udder swelled up and became oddly fleshy and she would not let down her milk. We couldn't figure out what was going on until last Thursday when she wouldn't come in with the other cows.

The boss told us she was losing her calf. As we thought she was pregnant to the March service we expected a total disaster. However the next day we went out and there she was with a tiny little bull calf....obviously she had been pregnant to the October service. The calf was six weeks early and should not have survived. Instead he is so lively he is hilariously funny, following everyone around the barn butting them in the fanny and dancing like a fawn. I can't describe to you how tiny he is...like a little velvet plush toy. I will try to get some pics today.

The kids named him Scooter and have a great time with him. We were pretty lucky as Bailey came into milk as if she had gone through a normal pregnancy and although her milk can't be put in the tank yet and is being used to feed calves, soon she will once again be a productive member of the herd. I am glad because I really like her.

The kids also rescued an abandoned kitten from the hay mow. Sinopa had three, two tortoiseshells and an orange and white one. When the hay started coming down into the mow she removed two, but left one little tortie behind. The poor thing was so hungry that she was hanging out the haymow window screaming. The kids drove down to a friend's farm to borrow a kitty crate and little Nom Noms now resides in the kitchen, much to Elvis's chagrin. (If he knew she was also noming food from his canz he would really be ticked off.)

Some Amish contractors came in to measure the barn roof for repairs and hopefully will be giving us a good estimate on that, and a scrap guy came in to bid on some old machinery we have around. Another hopeful prospect as maybe one can pay for the other. Plus feed reps have been coming by....Alan went up to the brother's house and got some honey from his bees yesterday. Fantastic stuff! I love honey anyhow, but this is really good. So many activities...so little time....



Well, time for the salt mines..have a good one!

****I forgot to give Becky credit for taking these photos