“It’s the most wonderful
time, of the year…”
WELCOME to calving season, sleepless nights and
cute baby calves!
Calving season is underway and is a very intense and strenuous
time for cattle ranchers. Some nights, not a wink is spent sleeping due to
continually checking on the pregnant females and assisting with births if
needed.
Even though calving season can be a tiresome time of year,
it is also one of the best times to be a rancher. It is the time of year when
we get to see how our genetic pairings turned out, and our bred heifers make
their way into a productive herd. I’m not embarrassed to admit it, but aside
from anticipating the genetic potential of these new critters and how they
might fit into our future breeding plans, I also really enjoy seeing those new
baby calves run and play in the pasture.
This season, I even had my share of checking the herd every
couple hours (daytime). On one occasion I found a heifer of ours who was
calving and looked like she might need some assistance, so with no one around I
panicked and called my mother who walked me through the process of what I
should do. I pulled the calf and waited for it to get up and start nursing its
mama. Clay was a great little babysitter during this time. When I came back in
the house, the two of them were both playing in the living room! ALL WAS WELL!
Calving season in essence is a new beginning! Sure, things
don’t always go as planned…a calf might die, or a cow might not take her baby…but
when it does go right, calving season is the perfect time to renew your spirits
and bolster your enthusiasm for the future.
SO here’s to warm bottles, calf tags, late night/early
mornings, vaccine, twins, adoption, and EXCITEMENT!
