Sunday Funday here on the farm. After a nice shower Saturday and Sunday morning, it's nice to be able to get out there and spend time with our cows. We are on calf watch with Kajun Queen. Her last calf was born in June of 2016. Typically you can expect 1 calf / year / momma cow if all goes well. And I have to say, our momma cows are pretty true to that. You can just about expect they will have their calves exactly a year apart. At least within the same month of the year. It makes it easier on us farmers knowing when to expect as well!!

Calf check on Kajun Queen

Seniorita Margarita and her calf. This bull calf is 5 months old.

Siblings that are a month apart. One heifer and one bull calf.

Big John Deere's horns are still growing nice!

People don't understand that cows are exactly like any other animal. Every one of them has a specific color, trait, and personality that sets them apart from the rest. When you are a small Texas farm owner like myself, you find that we do indeed know all of our cows on a personal level. After all they all have names! You learn which you can walk up to, who you can play with, who to leave alone when they have a calf, and etc. I can hear all the city folks comments on Facebook saying "Wow! That cow is huge! You better be careful! I heard that one time a longhorn....." My response to these stories is always "Well what did the owner do to the cow?" There is always an explanation or an underlying story. All in all, you do have to be cautious. Always know your surroundings and who is in front, behind, or beside you. Because even the tamest of animals, can turn on an instant if provoked. Even if the provocation was unintentional.

As a calf continues to grow, so does it's horns. You could compare their horns to our ears and noses. They never stop growing throughout our life. The same goes for Longhorn cattle. As you can see in this picture, it's almost like a rainbow of colors. At the base the horns look almost yellow. Then as you go outward you see more yellows, tan, white, purple, and finally a pink! The pink indicates good blood flow. Which is what you want to see in a young calf. Big John although not a young calf, has not reached his full potential yet. So we will continue to see his obvious horn growth for a few years. Just like when we get older the changes are not as subtle, the same goes for cattle. When they are fully grown it is hard to tell by merely gazing upon them if their horns have grown or not. Big John being a steer also contributes to his continuous growth. Meaning that all his energy and hormones are going towards horn and size production rather than reproductive matters.

Every animal is unique in their own way. Cattle in particular. There will always be that one little aspect that sets them apart from the others. Unlike Angus cattle, Longhorn cattle differences are far more noticeable. Not only be their color differences, but by their horns! After all, that is what they were named for! That's also the first thing here at the farm we look at when purchasing. "Man look at that set of horns!" is often thrown around as common phrasing.

It's a sad start to the month of March on the farm as we remember our Ol' Momma Cow. Although she lived the remainder of her days out on the farm, they were good ones for sure!

We acquired her some years ago through a "two for one" kind of deal. We purchased two decent cows and the old farmer threw her in the mix. Which was better than the alternative... She only gave us one calf before she became too old to calve. Unlike most big beef farms, we keep our cows until nature takes it's course. Mostly because they really are like our pets. We shed a few tears, but remember that this is a part of life on the farm. It's to be expected eventually, although we don't have to like it. Even when we know that they're days are limited, it doesn't make it any easier.

R.I.P Ol' Momma Cow.

A farmer can always tell when spring is on the way. For starters the weather is never the same in Texas two days in a row. Secondly, every living soul on the farm is shedding like crazy! Although there are still a few more weeks of winter left, the ol' hides know the hard times are almost over. For the farm manager, that is me, I just like being able to come home and see all of my babies in the evening sunlight. Even if it is only for a short while.

You could say our horses are picky eaters. For instance, they won't touch hay that looks even a little rough. Or any of the salt and mineral blocks we set out for them. They also think it's a race when they see that grey Chevy pull in the driveway and they take off to the feedlot. Supper time!

Mr. T enjoying his supper.

Hello 2017! With the beginning of the new year continues the strange weather in Texas. Cold one day and hot the next. 80's yesterday and 30's today. This week has been particularly chilly. With hints of frost and a few flurries. The four-legged's at the farm don't stay far from the hay. Did you know when cows eat the roughage,  and horses for that matter, they are actually warming their bodies at the same time? This is due to the fact that heat is released during digestion. So when they eat a lot, it's not necessarily because they are that hungry. They might just be that cold!

Here we have our "Herd Turd" as we like to call our bull Gentle Jack when he gracefully spreads and wastes fresh hay. 

Seniorita Margarita's new calf has finally arrived! A healthy bull calf. This was definitely one for the books. This was the first time i have been around a momma cow when she calved. It was a once in a lifetime experience for sure! We are all just thankful and happy that everything went smoothly. It is always neat to see a calf experience things for the first time. From trying to find the milk to testing out their new legs!

Trying out his new "land" legs!

Still couldn't quite find the milk at this point. 

"Honey my water just broke and the baby is coming!" Oh how I wish our momma cows could speak! So they could tell us "Yes the baby is coming right now!" or "I'm in labor y'all better stick around!" or even "I think there is something wrong so come help me!". Although that is not the case, I can usually tell when a cow is getting ready to calve. Longhorns typically seclude themselves from the herd and find a nesting place of sorts. Their udders look full and ready to produce for this new life they are about to bring into the world. They also seem to be more protective than ever towards anyone and anything. Not in an aggressive matter per say. But more in a "leave me alone" kind of way. Seniorita Margarita, pleased to meet ya, is in this predicament as we speak. Impatiently awaiting her newborn.

Good morning December! It never fails that our momma cows choose to have their calves at the most inconvenient times. It's either going to be when we are not home or it's freezing cold and wet outside. Maybeline blessed us with her first calf this year on such an occasion. Her last calf was in late December of last year so she is right on time. Typically if everything goes right, you can expect a calf from your cow every year. Usually our Longhorns have their calves 10-12 months apart. Rarely do we see a calf before or after that time span.

Maybeline and her new heifer

No matter who you ask, everyone has a opinion on a subject. Or maybe a point of view you could say. With horses, some say to NEVER leave a halter on them if you are not working with them. On the other hand, some say a simple rope halter will suffice on a daily basis. While still others say a halter is fine, as long as there is nothing for them to get hung up on. Well this is the predicament we found ourselves in at the farm last week. We have never had a problem leaving the halters on our horses because there is no "dangerous" spots where they could get their halter stuck. Mr. T, our draft horse, proved otherwise. How he did it, I have no idea. But somehow he got himself caught on the corral panel gate. How's that exactly? Well, there was no time to figure that out when it's dark,  he was on the ground in a ball, wheezing, back legs in the panel, and two panels angled up off the ground. Long story short we had to cut his halter off and he walked away unharmed besides a few scraps on his legs. And to say the least that is why, in my opinion, to NEVER leave a halter on your horse when you are not working with them. Even if you think there is no danger because they will find it trust me.

Longhorns are known for their easy going personality. Although depending on the weather and whether they are hungry or not is a different story! Because a change in climate makes them a bit frisky! But on a normal day they are considered one of the more docile cattle breeds.
(Photo creds. to boss lady on the farm:)

Big John- steer

Kickapoo- steer

Did I mention we have an abundance of wildlife here on the farm as well? We do! Here are just a few spotted on our deer camera.

We all love it when cool weather blesses us with it's presence on the farm. Did you know most cattle are comfortable at 40-50 degree weather? It's true. And even more so for longhorns because of their hardiness. There's an old cowboy saying that "The thicker the coat on a calf, the colder the winter that lies ahead". Now, whether that is true or not you will have to ask an old cowboy! Right now everyone, especially the calves and including the horses, are putting on their winter coats.

Gentle Jack #7 (Bull) and Myself

It's a beautiful sight when you can kick back and watch the cattle. Here on the farm it's one of our favorite past times. A close runner up is when we gaze upon the horses grazing so quietly. At least when they are satisfied. As the days grow shorter and fall sets in, it's hard to be able to enjoy the farm during the week. But what little time we do get to watch God's creations, we enjoy every minute.

My cowboy daddy watching Mr. T.  

This little steer will be two years old on thanksgiving day. My how time flies. Big John Deere is what I've named him. Big John for short. His horns are coming in nice! Nice and straight, good blood flow, and tipped at the very ends. These pictures were taken a year and a half apart. In the bottom picture he was only 5 months old. In the top picture he is 22 months old.

Big John Deere- Steer

Longhorns, much like any other animal, are very affectionate and protective of their young ones. Most of our momma cows will let you come close to their calves. While a few want you to keep your distance while the calves are still "new". This picture was taken on a Sunday. Time for a bath I guess!

MyMy bathing her calf

When fall days roll upon the farm, it's the best time to sit and watch them graze. So gentle and quiet. Wondering why I didn't bring them any cubes..... It's when you can really see how they interact with each other. I love to see them graze. For some reason it "calms the soul" you could say. Or I guess you could say that's just the cowgirl in me. About this time of year the calves are all getting older. Between 9-11 months old for a few. Which means....more calves to arrive soon!!

MyMy- Registered cow

Most of the cows in our heard are about the same age. There is one cow in particular we have that we call "Ol' Momma Cow" for a reason. She is the oldest in the herd and is pushing over 30 years old. She is still kicking high though! Especially when she wants her cubes!

Ol' Momma Cow

During the summer although our cows enjoy the lush green grass, it's good to still feed them supplements here and there. Cattle cubes for instance are a must have, if you ask the cows. They get used to the noises associated with feeding. Whether it be the rumble of the tractor, the low hum of the UTV, or even the rustle of a feed bag! Either way when the hear that first inkling that sounds like food they are all ears!

This little heifer wants her cubes!

Longhorn cattle in general are known for ease of calving. It's very rare that a cow would be in need of help when calving. Fortunately on the farm we have only had one incident as such.

When a cow is getting ready to calve she usually looks very bloated and anxiously awaits the arrival of her new calf. She then secludes herself from the herd. The "tell tail" sign of a cow in labor is when she sticks her tail straight out and steadily walks across the ground. When you see this sign it's time to pull up a chair and watch a new life being brought into this world! It truly is a wonderful thing when a new calf arrives; so new and fresh and full of life. The proud new momma then begins to clean her calf tenderly; as this is the first step in bonding between the two. The calf immediately tries to stand up on it's own and when he finally does stand up on his uneasy legs, he begins to nurse his mother. A crucial part in calf survival. Within a few short days you can observe the calf learning how to run and jump and explore this vast new world. And you cannot help but smile when you see this miracle of life.

 

Kajun Queen- registered cow and her calf