AHCA beef info

While perusing the American Highland Cattle Association website I came across this poster on their gifts & materials for sale page that I thought was pretty neat. I've never seen the beef poster featuring a Highland before.  There is a lot of great information on their website that's worth checking out including research done on Highland beef and recipes.

 

 

Cleaning the barn...

What do your cows do when you clean their barn?

Our cows gather around with interest,  

Photo bomb pictures,

Climb the compost pile,

Hope for treats or scratchings,

And look adorable!

Birthday surprise!

We've talked about getting a small tractor ever since we bought our property, but the timing was never quite right (a very expensive septic system, kid, barn, more cows, irrigation system...).  We are fortunate to live close to family who let have let us borrow tractors, fertilizer spreaders, etc.  Though we've also put a lot of sweat equity into our little farm.  Saturday my husband and mother-in-law surprised me by putting a down payment on a new tractor for my birthday present.  They went and picked it up tonight!  

I'm so excited to try it out!!!. We just cleaned the cow barn and tilled the garden, but I'm sure I can find something to use it for, it is time for new barkdust around the place.  I'm sure a post digger will be the next attachment... no more digging fence posts in by hand! 

Play mates

Emma and Emily playing together.

Another heifer!

This heifer was born yesterday morning to our super friendly first-calf heifer, Bridgette.  We are still trying to decide on a name for her.  I'm hoping that she will have beautiful brindling as she gets older... time will tell. 

When do you call them cows versus heifers?  We use the term first-calf heifers when they have their first calf.  Then they are a cow when they have their second calf.   

More baby pictures....

  

Emma, 2 days old 

It's a girl!

The first calf of the season was born late Thursday night.  We were suspicious of Mama cow being in labor that evening and when we went to check on her about 10pm there was a new calf being licked clean.  Everyone was doing good, so we kept our distance.  Yesterday she was up and running around between naps, so last night she got her vitamin A&D and Bo-se shots once they had settled down.  Mama Agnes is one of the calmest cows we have, but she's being a very good protective mother, so we haven't got much for pictures yet.  She wasn't too thrilled that we were giving the baby shots and when hubby picked her up to get a weight estimate.  I think we've decided on a name for her, Emma.