Every spring we wait in eager expectation for our first calf to arrive. We breed our cattle to calve the last week of March. Here in central Kentucky the last week of March usually has nice spring time weather and the chances of cold weather are minimal. The grass is growing nicely and the conditions to have a calf are great.
Well to our surprise the first calf of the year arrived 31 days early. It is a spunky little heifer. Its mom, number 62 has had one other calf last year. She is a great mom and seems to be taking care of this little premature calf very well.
Some times our best laid plans do not work out. I would never plan on having calves in February. The weather is just too unpredictable and the grass is not green, but you have to roll with the punches here on the homestead. Our plans do not always work out but we are very thankful that this calf is alive and seems to be thriving. Who knows what might be in store for us here on the farm tomorrow but for tonight we are glad that our first calf has arrived healthy and happy.
Interesting! We bought a Jersey cow in milk last August. We wanted to re-breed her, but we travel every year for about 10 days in late September or October and didn't want to have her milking during that time. Ideally, we would want her to have a calf in spring, but the timing didn't work out this year. Plus, we are due to have a (human) baby in June and didn't want to be milking anything during that time. So, we had her A.I.'ed early this month with plans for a November calf. That way we can get unpacked from our trip before she calves. We will see how this works for us and adjust for later years if needed. It's good to know our cow could calf a month early! I am glad our A.I. got delayed so we will have a little more flexibility in case she does calf early! This is our first time having a cow, but have been doing sheep, goats, and poultry for years. Thanks for sharing! And congrats on your new farm edition. New babies (animal or human) never get old, do they? :)
Congratulations on your baby in you belly. That is so exciting.
This is the earliest we have ever had a calf come. One or two weeks early is pretty normal. Wish you the best with you future baby and calf.
We can plan as much as we like, and the Creator makes his own plans when it comes to life. Good luck with this cute calf, hope it can be a good producer in the future.
Thank you sir. Very true words!
Takes me back to my days working on a dairy farm in highschool! Looks pretty healthy in the photos despite being premature!
It seems to be perfectly healthy. I worked on a dairy farm in junior high and high school as well. Good memories;)
Nice! Congrats! You just never know what is going to happen!
Amen to that.
Looks pretty healthy for being a premie! The dates weren't some how mixed up?
Nope we keep the bulls on a totally different area of the farm. It is really small but healthy. We will take it.
this is really cute, wonderful one , hope you had a sweet time there with these sweet animals.
Yeah spring time is a great time on the homestead. We are hoping to have about 8 little red calves late April, early May. Even though your calf is premature, she looks like she is getting around good!
That is awesome. What kind of breed of cattle do you have? Yes she is probably only 20lbs or so but she seems very spunky
Currently, we have Dexter cattle, but I used to have a few Angus and Angus cross.
Cute :)
Glad she is alive!
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