Sorting Cows

Yesterday we sorted all the cows. We sorted on foot in the alley. Good cows to the right, grannies to  the left. We put a green ear tag in the grannies so its easy to spot them on the go. For what ever reason the cows were a little pushy in the alley! You just stand your ground, put your hand up and say NO - BACK UP! They do respect your space. Most of the time! Very rarely do I have to holler at the cows, so when I do, they respect my wishes! HA! Cows are herbivores. They might kill you, but they wont eat you! LOL!
We sort off the grannies, the smaller cows and anyone that is on the skinny side. We do this so there is less competition for hay when we feed. And the granny group gets a little extra hay and TLC.
We've had pretty steady temps. Highs 30*, lows 25*. Been a skiff of snow every morning.

Cows coming into the "driveway". On the far right looking at you is Nerdly. The best cow on the ranch! She is 10years old. She was one of my bottle babys. Loves kisses and grain!

 

 

Down the driveway to the alley.

Cows waiting to go to their winter pasture and get fed.

 

 

One of the feed trucks. It used to be a fire truck. Modified to a flatbed. Its very smooth riding on the back.

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Not Good?

We've been having such gorgeous weather, I decided to go poke around in the yard. My Snow Drops are starting to bloom. They usually do this time of year. These little precious flowers signify the down slope towards spring. I also have daffodils popping outta the ground! Not good! Winter doesn't usually hit here until mid February! I hope my daffs don't freeze out! :(

Snow Drops

 

Daffodils starting.

 

 

So, here's to Spring!

 

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Today - around home

Our weather has been perfect. It's been near 50* during the day and in the mid 20's* over night. The ice has melted and the frost is outta the ground. I sure hope it stays this way. We could use some moisture though.

The full moon is out all night and setting in the morning when we head outta the house to feed.

Waiting for the feed truck. What a good cow.

We have been chlorinating the water tanks in the heifer lots. So, while the chlorine was cooking the gunk outta the tanks I took the girls for a hike along the creek.

Spook likes to chase birds. Here she is looking at the little birds. ha ha.

Here comes Two! She was rat hunting in the trees!

One of the early calves. 

I have milk all over my face.

Yea - so what about it?

Yummy!

The turkeys.

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First calf heifers

Feeding first calf heifers. A first calf heifer is usually a 2 year old that is getting ready to have her first calf. They are still out in their winter pasture. In a few weeks we will bring them all in to the calving lots. When they come into the lots they will need 24/7 supervision. We will slowly move their feeding time to about 10 - 11am. So hopefully they calve during the day. The theory behind this is the sugar levels in their bodies. They eat alfalfa, about 15 pounds per heifer and 2 - 3 % protein per heifer. Yea, there is a formula to figure this out. So, the theory is they eat, sugar levels go up, they chew their cud and rest the rest of the day into the night, then as daylight comes up, their sugar level goes down and they calve. At times it seems like we are watching heifers calve all night!! But, I keep a graph and they calve between 7am - 2pm.

The sunrise over the house as we wait for way ward heifers to come to the feed truck.

 

Way ward heifers.

 

 

Can you see the 2 horses? We keep 3 old horses in with our heifers so the heifers get used to horses all the time and aren't afraid of them.

 

 

Are you gonna feed us, or stand there taking pictures!?

 

 

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Good Bye 2013 - Hello 2014

The last sunset for 2013 was gorgeous.

The sunrise for 2014 was just as gorgeous.

Wide load coming thru! One of our early heifers. After I post this I better go check on her. She was starting to show signs!

Gotta love those muley bucks. There were deer everywhere today.

Boys and their toys. I opted to get out and take pictures! This is a huge clean sand pit on the ranch. There is another sand pit on the ranch, but it has a lot of dirt in it. Great for packing holes.

Thanks for stopping by. Here's to a happy, healthy new year.