hmmm...a project for Ben

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extra special guests

Had a real treat today...my old next door neighbors from Spencertown, NY came out to visit me today.  Clare and her son Bernie.  88,99,70,0,B,0

ranch life

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velvet mite friday

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the science of calf feeding

Early morning run to Alpine for a new bottle and powdered milk replacer.  Raising this little sucker will be rather labor intensive the next three months.  Each feeding has to be made fresh.  Water heated to 120°, mixed with precisely measured powder, then cooled to 100° before serving.  So far he is showing no sign of the scours.  The new bull calf is called Ben (Big Ben when he turns into a giant).  87,94,70,0,B,0

RIP Bob

Poor ol' Bob didn't make it.  She went back to water overnight and drowned.  Since my swamp killed his mama - I had one choice.  As soon as I found her, I went to get her 2 week old calf where I knew she had parked it.  Took a half hour to get him to take to the bottle, then he followed me home.  Penned him up, gave him two more feedings, then spent an hour in the pen with him to bond.  78,93,70,0,B,0

cowtastrophe...

Very long day today.  Poor old Bob the cow got stuck in the mud in the swamp.  She was stuck there for at least a day - possibly two.  I just happened to find her when my Facebook friend Keith Kidwell came out for a FL tour this morning.  I called the Cains, but Dick and his son were out herding some cattle.  I spent an hour digging the cow out when they finally arrived.  We got her loose but couldn't get her up with Dick's horse, so I brought out the truck and winch and we pulled her out of the swamp.  She still wouldn't stand and then it started to pour.  The Cains couldn't drive out with their truck and horse trailer so they rode home on horseback.  After the half hour downpour, I went to check on her - I reckoned that poor old Bob had drowned (she would have for sure if I hadn't found her this morning).  To my surprise she was standing just out of the water.  Too weak to walk much further, she laid back down.  I took her some food and water tonight which she happily accepted.  Hopefully she will be up and out on her own by morning.  At least she is high and dry now.  80,99,71, .38",B,0