Lucky Log

With the Human Brick (see previous post) gig now over, a big outting is being called into play being a Human Log.

This involves sitting in the truck to 'block' the road to encourage the cows to go through the right gate when they're being moved into another field.

I can do that.

The 'lucky' part of log duty yesterday was  visit from a 2-day old calf.  I was moved to actually get out of the truck to do some arm waving to urge wayward beasties the proper direction.

Clearly I was very effective as the wee little brown calf wobbled his way right over to me and let me pet him!

Eventually he curled up in the ditch by the truck to wait for his mama and he let me come over and scratch his ears.

So cute!  I liked being a Log.

Useful as a brick...

Uncle Peter took off on a road trip last week for Phoenix, leaving a huge vacancy in the farm labour force, thus Chris and I were called in off the bench.

My morning, I was briefed on my duties in assisting the delivery of some bales to the field that still didn't have quite enough grass for munching.

I lounged in the truck waiting for the tractor to appear and enjoyed the morning.  Eventually the tractor came chugging along...

As it got nearer, I leapt into action, donned my rubber gloves, freed the electric fence wires off a post and held them down for the tractor to roll over.

I returned to lounging.

The tractor completed it's circuit, I held down the wires, it left the field and I reattached the wires and headed home.

I donned on me that the basically, I had been a human brick...holding down the wires.  Huh.

I pointed that out to Dad...he agreed...and shortly thereafter, we were fired.

Dad claims it was because the grass had started growing enough, but Chris took it pretty badly.  He got 'sick' the very next day and wouldn't get out of bed.

Aw...

Now that's low maintenance

At the Board of Director's meeting this morning over breakfast, Chris and I inquired as to how we could help out with the flurry of spring activity.

Uncle Peter:  If you think we don't do anything in the winter, wait 'till you see us in the summer!
Me: What, now that the cows are in the fields, it's just busy around planting time and then harvest time?
UP: What planting?
Me: Don't you seed for the feed?
UP:  No!  We just let the fields grow...it's the just grasses that are already there...

Wow.  Who knew?  Yes, I really am that clueless as to what goes on out here...

Makes sense.  The cows are eating grass all summer long...just keep some aside to cut and bale for the winter.

I'm kind of digging this whole ranching business.

So, Chris and Peter went off to survey the state of the fences and Dad fed the bulls that are still in the corral/pen.   Must keep them in check until it's 'go time'. :)

Holy tornado Batman!

...okay, so not quite, but my god it's windy!

Power's been off and on all morning (which brought an entertaining interlude of trying to explain electricity and lack of responsive switches to the kid).

Drove though dust clouds and even dodged some tumbleweeds (really) on the highway.

Got back from the daycare drop off and noticed pieces of the greenhouse flying around the yard.  Reported the destruction to Dad who told me he was dismantling it this year anyway...now he's got a head start.  Cool.

Stay tuned for sightings of Dorothy rolling by outside...

Lovely day...

It's so nice and so bright for so long that after dinner we went outside to kick the ball around with Dexter also teetering around on his 2-wheeler with training wheels.

Chris was rummaging through the gear in the garage and came out with a bat and ball.  He was really warming up to give the ball a good whack and... he missed!!!! 

Then Sam ate the ball.

Time to go in.

We got inside and Dexter declared he wanted cheesy noodles for lunch.  Poor kid.  It's been so dark for so long, he didn't realize it was bedtime.

They're coming fast and furious

...okay, not really furious, but fast!


There are at least four new calves in the pasture by the house as of this morning. Good news, the black cow with brown eyes and her calf are both fine.

Moooooo....

(Some shots of a few hour-old calf...and Sam)

You know he's been at this a while...

Uncle Peter noticed a cow in labour yesterday and when he checked her out, noticed the hooves poking out in a slightly worrisome angle.  Usually they're like "this", but these ones are like "that".  Could be breech, but looks like upside down...not too good.

Some inquiries from Dad revealed that the cow is a veteran mom and at this stage should be able to deliver a calf sideways.

I asked if perhaps something could/should be done, Peter shrugged his shoulders...nothing much.  At this stage, it could be downright dangerous to get anywhere near a labouring cow...think one ton of hormones.  

Conveniently, she is in the field right beside the house, so while playing canasta last night, Peter would glance out the window from time to time to confirm that she was still standing out there, labouring away.  No point in trying to do anything until she was at least lying on the ground.

"She's the black one standing out there," he said.

Mom went to close the window. "I see a dozen black cows," she said.

"The one with brown eyes," said Peter as he started to shuffle.

He'll take a closer look in the morning.

Moving to greener pastures...

Forget horses herding snorting beasts and huge dust clouds being kicked up by thundering bovine...this is the Wiwchar Ranch.  Here's what you do...

• Don't feed the beasties in the morning
• Move a few bales into destination field
• Check for gaping holes in fences
• Repair gaping holes in fences
• Load up the ATV with a couple buckets of grain
• Open gates
• Drive into field with ATV - get attention of herd just by showing up
• Start driving to destination field
• Confirm that you are being followed by herd of hungry, pregnant cows
• Continue driving
• Drive all the way to bales placed in field ealier
• Watch as herd starts eating
• Drive away
• Close gates

Voila!

The rest of the day is spent monitoring the gate (aka Uncle Peter's Nap in the Truck) to reunite separated families.

There were several new-born calves and mamas and a mama who was actually birthing her baby when the move was going on.  Either the little families won't go, or the calf gets left behind as it is hidden in the bush for a few hours right after delivery and mom wanders off for some breakfast.

So...everyone eventually shows up at the gate trying to get back to their babies.  Uncle Peter opens the gate, they go find each other, then wander back to join the rest.

Double voila!

When I find the camera, I'll upload the photos of an hours-old calf we watched yesterday. They're coming fast and furious now...

UPDATE:  Okay the best shot of the "cattle drive" is this arse-end view of them heading off after Uncle Peter.  Enjoy!

While we were gone...

Chris and I went to Toronto for a few days...to deal with a lingering business issue (all done!) and to visit our friends.  It was great!

That tip to "be a tourist in your own town" is SO true.    We were travelling light and fast and visited our friends and had a great time.

And while we were gone...

• The local Kinsmen "Perogy Cup" hockey tournament wrapped up
• Grandma and Grandpa got to spend a longer-than-expected time with Dexter, who came down with a nasty bug right before we left.  No daycare for this kid!
• Calves started popping out all over the place
• Cattle were relocated to soon-to-be greener pastures
• A mink was treed...and escaped
• The temporary pond in the front yard grew and already has almost completely receded.

Spring has sprung!