Wednesday, April 4, 2012

The case of the missing calf ... OR ... How to be dumber than a cow/calf pair

Yesterday was somewhat stressful.  We knew that Paige's cow had calved but could not find the little black (or black white face) calf.  You see, Momma (aka 63W) has been enjoying getting out of her pasture and grazing around the feedlot.  So, it was my job to try to find the calf.  Here is a bit of a pictoral story about my afternoon...


This is 63W.  She is out standing in the field (no pun intended).  So I rode 4 wheeler around that area a bit looking for the calf.  No luck...




The steers in the feedlot sure wondered what I was doing!


Nature's Carpet
I needed to walk through the tree grove to see if this cow had tucked her baby into a hiding place.  While walking I saw moss on trees (it looked like Nature's carpet!).  But no calf...


Lady bug on a branch
I found a lady bug crawling on a branch.  She didn't mind having her photo taken.  (This photo is supposed to "lay down" but it automatically "stood up" when I imported it. *shrug*)  Still no baby 63W.  I had better keep looking....



Here is another escape artist - and friend of 63W.  She does not have a calf yet.  She was in the trees by the feedlot which is not the pasture either.  No calf with her, so I kept looking....


Grass carpet
The grass is greening up.  This is a bit of a problem as the cows are tempted when they see green grass!  No wonder they want out.  They don't have to share with the whole herd if they break out!  Lucky for me, the grass is short.  The calf can't hide in short grass.  Well, I give up.  I can't find this calf.  So, I guess I was out-smarted by a cow/calf pair!!  I will have to look again later.



On my way home, I found this newborn calf (in the pasture where it belonged).  It was just trying to figure out how to stand.  Those legs are quite wobbly. It doesn't help that mom keeps trying to clean (lick off the after-birth) the calf.  When she licks the calf, the calf stumbles.  But, after only a few trys, the calf stablized and made it to his destination - food!!  It is thanks to doing this blog that I took the time to watch and learn this.  I have lived on a farm/ranch all of my life and had never taken the time to watch these first few minutes of life.   Usually when I found a new calf, I would just make sure the cow "mothered" (cleaning & loving) the calf and then I would leave.  I looked at the pair today and they are doing just fine.




Today on my home from town I found the 63W pair together.  YAHH!!  Plus, there were two more cows with them (including the one that is pictured above).  When Brett helped me get them in he snapped a photo of the pair so you can see that all is well.  From this location, we just had to put them through the gate so they could join all of their friends in the pasture (in the background).  I hope they all stay in now!

Linking up to:  Farmgirl Friday & Friday Fences

14 comments:

  1. I wonder where she was hiding her baby...
    I love all the pictures you got while searching around! It is fun having a blog, I know I look at things differently now, should I post this on my blog, how should I take the picture, etc. :)

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    1. I would guess she had the calf safely tucked away out of the wind. She (I now know it is a little heifer calf) was out in the field somewhere as I didn't look out there. This blogging has done all of your list to/for me as well.

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  2. Haven't we all had days like that? In most cases the mother knows just where her baby is. The calf is usually safe and sound.

    I agree, stopping to watch a new calf is often taken for granted. It amazes me that a calf is walking and sucking minutes after birth and a human baby takes so much longer to be self sufficient.

    I LOVE the ladybug picture!

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    1. Many years we do have to worry. However, this spring has been very nice and warm so it is not a vital (life/death) to find the calf as quickly.

      I found it interesting (because I'd never thought about it) that the first thing the calf did was get up and head for food!

      Thanks for stopping by.

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  3. so happy you found the missing baby....such cuteness going on there!

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    1. Thanks Tanya, we were happy too. We were sure the calf was fine but we did want to get it into the pasture!

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  4. what a lot of work to make sure all are accounted for!
    I love your photos, they tell quite a story
    the last shot of mom and baby is so sweet

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    1. Thank you Dianne. It is all in a day's work around here! The good news is that when we look back on everything we are still happy we are farming and ranching!

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  5. glad to hear your calf was found. what relief. thanks, for sharing at friday fences. take care & enjoy your Easter weekend. (:

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  6. So happy to see that 63W is with her calf safe n sound. Nice pic story!

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  7. A lovely happy ending. I'm glad Brett took the photo, as I really wanted to see the dear little one.

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