I was up and out the door early because it was Thursday. The rain was coming down gently but steady. I had kept a cow up Wednesday evening because I had expected her to deliver her calf before morning. I checked her as I headed into the field and rain but she had not calved yet. I was soaked and a little chilled by the time I had the cows up. I milked and when daylight came I ran out to check the cow but no luck yet but I saw a foot starting to peek out so I thought it won't be long now. I went ahead and fed the calves and cleaned the barn. Went back to check the cow but no progress and I had things to get done so I roped her and tied her up and washed good and got some clean warm soapy water and reached inside. Lo and Behold I found a another set of feet but these were hind feet and upside down so I knew I had twins coming. I reached for the head of the calve that was presented right but could not find it. I tried to push the backwards calf back down some and tried to find the head again, but no luck once more. I called the veterinary clinic that I have dealt with for 20+ years but did not get an answer. It was only 7 a.m. I left a message and was called right back, after explaining my issue the vet on duty said "Can you bring her in?" I hung up but he was persistent and called back and once again he asked "Can you bring her in?" I said no and if he couldn't come out I was finished with that clinic. (My wife said I used some dirty words too). I hung up again. I looked in the phone book for another veterinary that I have known but had never used and called them. They said "Sure, be right out". The vet lives about 30 miles away and arrived in about 35 minutes and got to work. She gave the cow a local so she wouldnt fight and pushed the backwards calf back down some and was able to get the head of the other turned and started. She placed the OB chains on the calf and I helped her pull. We were successful in delivering a big live bull calf and the vet quickly took the chains off the first and got back inside the cow after the second. Because it was coming backwards we attached the calf pullers because it is really important to get backwards calves out fast before they try to draw a breath. Success was ours once more and another big live bull calf was brought into the world. I released the cow and the cow began cleaning the calves. I paid the vet and discussed regular herd health check-ups and needless to say I now have a new vet and she has a new client. Sad to have to quit someone after so many years and I feel bad about it, but I have to have a vet who will come when needed. the photo below was taken this evening of the two calves. I named them Nip and Tuck. Nip is on the left and is the first born.
Both calves are for sale and someone wanting to make a team of oxen would be very happy with the pair. Yes, they are for sale.
Cheerily
IJK
Yesterday was a long day and I had been busy digging thistles in the morning and then I tilled the garden in the afternoon. The wife and I had taken the time to plant 50 tomato plants after the evening milking chores were finished. We were planting the tomatoes when her sister arrived for a visit but we finished up what we were doing and headed to the house for a visit. I had not been in all day and didn't bother to check e-mail or answering machine. We were sitting and visiting and it was approaching 8:00 pm when the phone rang. It was a couple from McAllister, OK looking for a Brown Swiss bull calf and asked if I had any for sale. I said sure and named a price and she said we will be there after while we want him. I asked where are you and she replied that they were in Joplin heading back to OK. I gave my address and they put it into their GPS and she said we are turning around. I thought now how late will this be. My best estimate of their arrival time would be around 10:30 p.m. She called my back after a period of time and said that they were almost an hour away and that their GPS stated an arrival time of 10:01. Glinda and I waited up and as the time neared I got dressed and went outside with a flashlight to wait for them. I was standing on the road when my cell phone rang again and she said we should be there and we had a quick discussion as she described what they were seeing. There is a hill between where I was and where they were but I finally spotted their headlights coming over the rise and I said you are here, just pull straight into that driveway in front of you and I will be right there. I hurried down and we introduced ourselves. It seem they had been in Mo for a good part of the day for another reason but wanted a Brown Swiss bull calf enough to turn around and drive almost 2 hours back here to get one. I guess Brown Swiss are hard to find. We walked to where I keep the calves and she fell in love with the calf I showed her and they decided to purchase it. We led it to the trailer and loaded it and she paid me. We visited a few minutes and they seemed to be great people. I found ti a privilege to meet them. The photo below is the visitors.
Marlene and Joe Beene and the Brown Swiss bull calf they purchased. Thanks go to Marlene and Joe. Hope to meet you again in the future.
Cheerily
IJK
I advertised two bottle calves for sale on craigslist last week and received many inquiries. One of the inquiries was from a gal named Cheri. Following an exchange of e-mails and phone calls she made plans to come here and buy the calves. She did not come alone but brought her daughter and a niece with her. They got out of the truck and were wearing "Pirate" shirts, it was then we discovered it was going to be a "Pirates" and "Pirates" deal.
Below are some photos calf loading process. Right click and choose 'view image' to see them in a larger size.
They also brought another visitor with them that my granddaughters wanted to pet, of course. Photos are below.
It seems the girls not only had being "Pirates" in common but they also love animals. This little goat is just a few days old.
My thanks to Cheri and the girls for purchasing the calves and we wish them much success in raising them. Look forward to seeing the Pleasant Hope Pirates again.
Cheerily
IJK
These two little fellas are for sale. The one on the left is half Santa Gertrudis (Mamma went a visiting) and half Brown Swiss and the one on the right is 100% Brown Swiss. Both bulls are from A.I sired dams and the Brown Swiss calf is A.I. sired. Price is set at $150 each - take both.
Cheerily
IJK
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Cheerily
IJK
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