Newest calf on the Wanch

Our 1/2 Dexter- 1/2 Jersey family dairy cow, Little Darlin, gave birth to her 4th calf last Sunday, 14 Sep. I came home late after Church, and as I frequently do, looked out the window to scan our paddocks, and I saw a tiny new addition to our herd. I sent K8 out to take a few pictures while I ate a late lunch. He was grossed out by Darlin eating her placenta, but he did take these first two photos, and confirmed it's a little girl. 

Cute and healthy. Up and nursing without any delays or problems.

I went out Tuesday to give the two new Momma's a little grain, to scratch Darlin, and take a few more photos.  Poppa is on the other side of fence with most of the herd (and flock). This new girl is solid red in color and probably polled like her Momma. She brings our herd to 15, with 6 more calves due this fall and spring. Need to start selling a few cows and sheep before Christmas, or we won't have enough grass and hay to feed them all.

Since she was born on my sister's birthday, it was real easy to name her - Kathy.

I have both new Momma's in a separate paddock from the rest of herd. I'll keep them separate until the first of January, then put them back with our bull, Red, which will result in two more calves at the end of next September 2015. We'll start milking Darlin once a day in the middle of next month, so we'll have fresh raw milk through the winter.

Family portrait

Sunday after Church, and it was too bright and sunny to take photo with us sitting on front porch. As you can see, it is always hard to get each and every individual to look at the camera - at the same time, with their eyes open and showing a smiling mouthful of teeth. Oh well, this was the best of the lot. And two of our dogs, Jack and Chloe,  didn't even show up for the picture. One of the two little Papillons (I think it was Rose) had rolled in mature and the smell was making it hard to continue the photo shoot.

Life and Death on the Wanch

Had a new girl join the herd. She was born on 19 August.

She's the daughter of Whisslemor. Her pappa is a red, polled bull back on the farm where I bought her momma.

Another girl for Red's harem when she gets older. 

That brings his harem up to 5 registered Dexter girls and 2 dairy cross girls (most of them pregnant, and due either in a few months or in the springtime). We also have 3 steers fattening up for next year's market, and Red's 3 registered daughters will be sold this fall. Finally building the right type of herd (mostly red in color with a few polled), and starting to make money.

50% chance this new little one will be horned vs polled. Either way, she is a welcome addition. I plan to pull her off momma next week when the temperatures finally drop, so we can tag her and bottle feed her. Her momma is a little wild, and I need this girl to be gentle and comfortable around people.

Fortunately the deaths were fish and not livestock. Because of high temps and no rain the past several weeks, our pond is down over 3 feet. Without rain adding more oxygen to the pond, I have too much well water pumping into it. This phenomena only seems to affect our younger black crappie - the species which just happens to be the best tasting fish in the pond. I found several along the bank this week. Hasn't killed any of the bluegill, bass, or grass carp. It started raining again this week, with more in the forecast, so hopefully we are on the mend.