Tuesday, 1/15/13
This was the day to move the weaned calved from the feeding pen back to the loading pen. That means you have lots of calves running around a very large lot and you need to get them through a 12 foot gate to move into the loading area. Usually you just need to get one to go and the others will follow. DH thought he could do it alone........I got a phone call for help....with both of us it went pretty smoothly. All except one aggravating one who must be from Crazy Jane's genetics. Crazy was the wildest cow we have ever owned and we shipped her pretty quickly (interpret that as when we could get her loaded......)These are cows that if they get cornered and can't break through the fence in front of them will try to go through you!
We got them all but that one into the curved pen where you can just swing the gate and push them down the alley to load. It took two of these loads and then all that was left was the wild one. I had moved all the calves before this but asked our hauler who was maybe 1/3 my age if he would do her. He did but climbed the fence once before he could get the the squeeze gate behind her.
They took them into the sale barn yesterday afternoon . The sale will begin this morning. I hope ours sell quickly because I want to do some errands after we pick up our check. We try to make our trips to town count.
Gardening
My main seed order came through very quickly from Swallowtail. I am very pleased with that.
I quit ordering from Park Seed a few years ago because of their delay on shipping and some very low germination seeds. I was forced to get a few things from them this year. If they are slow again, I vow to never order from them again. I will let you know.
I got a Stark Brothers catalog yesterday. That has me thinking about a few more fruit trees....and maybe a new variety of blackberries.
This was the day to move the weaned calved from the feeding pen back to the loading pen. That means you have lots of calves running around a very large lot and you need to get them through a 12 foot gate to move into the loading area. Usually you just need to get one to go and the others will follow. DH thought he could do it alone........I got a phone call for help....with both of us it went pretty smoothly. All except one aggravating one who must be from Crazy Jane's genetics. Crazy was the wildest cow we have ever owned and we shipped her pretty quickly (interpret that as when we could get her loaded......)These are cows that if they get cornered and can't break through the fence in front of them will try to go through you!
We got them all but that one into the curved pen where you can just swing the gate and push them down the alley to load. It took two of these loads and then all that was left was the wild one. I had moved all the calves before this but asked our hauler who was maybe 1/3 my age if he would do her. He did but climbed the fence once before he could get the the squeeze gate behind her.
They took them into the sale barn yesterday afternoon . The sale will begin this morning. I hope ours sell quickly because I want to do some errands after we pick up our check. We try to make our trips to town count.
Gardening
My main seed order came through very quickly from Swallowtail. I am very pleased with that.
I quit ordering from Park Seed a few years ago because of their delay on shipping and some very low germination seeds. I was forced to get a few things from them this year. If they are slow again, I vow to never order from them again. I will let you know.
I got a Stark Brothers catalog yesterday. That has me thinking about a few more fruit trees....and maybe a new variety of blackberries.
I can imagine how loading those calves went! Been there...and when one of them gets stubborn, watch out! Glad it's over and hope the sale goes well!
ReplyDeleteIt seems there is always one in the group that won't cooperate. We had 4 more up but when DH went out that morning, they were gone. Must have squeeze through or jumped fence to go back to the field.
DeleteSale did go well. Thank you.
We have some working dogs that make this much easier for us. Any stubborn bovines get convinced by the canines.
ReplyDeleteThere a crazy one in every bunch, I think.
Gail, we would give anything to have a cattle dog, but would have to buy one already trained. We are neither capable of training one.
DeleteWhat kind do you have?
Sometimes more than one crazy one in our case!
Hope you guys did well at the auction today!
ReplyDeleteThank you; we were very happy.
DeleteI've never had to be involved in loading cows/calves but can imagine how exciting it might be. (Especially if you didn't know what you were doing . . . that would be me!)
ReplyDeleteGeez, wish I had my seeds ordered. It's a little task I either keep putting off (intentionally) or really can't find the time to sit down and do. (I don't know which is my problem.)
Hope the check you get for the calves is even more than you expected!
I made myself order early so I would be sure to get them in time.
DeleteI try to raise all my own plants under lights.
It was!
Glenda,
ReplyDeleteI'm wishing you much luck at the auction today!
Seeds, looking like your set for the planting season. I haven't used Swallowtail, I must check them out.
Sandy, this was my first time too and I was very happy with the way the order was handled. Now, if the seeds are good, they will become one of my 'go to' places for seeds.
DeleteDoesn't it figure, one stubborn one in the bunch. I hope you did well with selling them and that you got all of your errands done while you were in town.
ReplyDeleteLove and hugs to you ~ FlowerLady
The big errand was restocking the decongestant for DH and I did. I bought three bottles. He is still very congested.
DeleteHope you are doing well....and I know you are. I admire how you are handling your life.
Glad you got those calves loaded with no casualties! I'd be interested in knowing what they brought.
ReplyDeleteYour Crazy Jane sounds like my Big Mama; she would rather try to go over a 6 foot fence then to go down the alley. She's really friendly until you get her in a corner.
Ray, the prices were from $2.00 down to $1.25 per lb depending on weight and sex. We were very pleased. I hope this year to talk DH into pulling the bulls out and just putting them back in for a 2 month breeding season for spring and fall calves. I would like to be able to sell all calves from each group at one time. I know it is easier running the bulls year round but it annoys me. He does the bulk of the work though so he will get the final decision.
DeleteWhat a day for you - calves AND seeds! I hope they BOTH do you good. Let us know how you like Swallowtail.
ReplyDeleteI sure liked their speed in shipping. I will know more when I plant the first seeds and see how they germinate.
DeleteI may plant a flat of lettuce this week and try raising them in the cooler milk parlor if I can rig up a supplemental light.
Hello!
ReplyDeleteI came across your blog through a comment of yours on another blog and am glad I ventured here! 8-)
Sorting cattle is kind of my "hobby"! so I know where you are coming from. Yes, talk your husband into pulling the bulls out; then your calves are so much more uniform and bring more as a bunch at the sale barn. Prices dropped here a bit yesterday, but the cattle market is going to be firm for a few years yet. We bought some feeders last week in the $1.44 range for 650#ers. It's amazing to think we will get even more for them!!
And thanks for the inspiration on spring garden seeds...I need it. lol.
I miss having calves around, sort of. I used to have to go behind He-Who-Mows once he was exhausted and cranky from giving chase to try to herd and COAX them with a bucket of cow-yummies. It worked every time. We only had to get them in the big pen, the Cowboy would get them into the chute when he came.
ReplyDeleteIf it was cold weather, he wore a long overcoat like movie cowboys. He would quietly approach them, twirling a whip. He never touched the whip to them. He TALKED them into the pen: "Okay, girls. Come on, ladies. Okay, girls." As he walked closer, they shaped up with that whip whirling behind them.
I've had good luck with seeds from Renee's Garden Seeds.
Enjoy your blog. Guess I best sign up. Cows are bad to move but try sheep. Oh my word. We had aBetty who always lead them astray....until we turned her into Kielbasa!
ReplyDeleteMight I suggest you call 931-668-2165 and get a Vernon Barnes nursery catalog. In Tennessee and every tree we've ever gotten from him has grown and thrived , Sorry I can't say the same for Starks. Their $30 a piece trees can't beat Vernons under ten dollar trees. No fancy website but you won't regret it.We are here in the Ozarks and have planted too many trees that don't do well here. They have peaches,cherries,plums,apricots,apples,both heirloom and current. Plus shrubs,blueberries,blackberries,raspberries,grapes,nut trees, You won't find better products or nicer folks. No...I'm not related!! Have turned many people on to this nursery.
Welcome and thanks for reminding me about Vernon Barnes. I had forgotten about them. I was just telling my husband that we had sorry luck with fruit trees lately.....still waiting for fruit from the better companies....a seedling peach was loaded. I will call them today.
ReplyDelete