Working cows is always a fun event. I took these pictures over 2 different days and tried to incorporate everything that goes into "working cows".
We start by checking the cows the day before we actually work them, and talk about which cows are old and ready to sell, which ones are bred, which ones we were going to save for replacement heifers, which ones are going to be grass-fed beef, when they need to be wormed.....All that is actually done at least once a week, but for sure before we work them, that way everyone is all on the same page when they have pulled the cows into the lots. Pawpaw seems to enjoy the grandkids better than just talking "business". He leaves that to Mrs. Herzog and Stephen and says "yes" or "no" to a question they have for him.
We started the day at the farm and ate pancakes and bacon that Mo fixed for everyone. They were sure good. I think that eating at the bar like you see in the picture brings back lots of fond memories for Stephen, as he remembers eating pancakes there (when he was our kids age) with his brothers and sisters that his grandma fixed for all the grandkids.
Then we (the kids and I) loaded up in the little red truck while Mr. Herzog and Stephen called the cows in. They usually come pretty easy. The kids know how to call them as well, so we have a chorus going on as we are driving along.
Once the cows are in the lots, the guys separate the ones to sell, the calves to "work" (castrate the bull calves and ear-tag all the heifer and bull calves) and the ones to hold.
The kids really enjoy watching all the action as sometimes it can get pretty lively.
Here are the cows and calves that were loaded and ready to haul to the sale. We got to take them this time because we were actually hoping to do some "shopping" at the auction barn after we dropped off the load. We all still fit in the truck- just barely though. There are six of us that need seat belts (the baby in the tummy shares a seat belt with me:) and six seats in the truck. That was probably the last time we can all ride in Papa's truck...sad, yet exciting!
Unloading at the Auction Barn.
The kids and I got the load dropped off while Stephen went to go look to see if there were any nurse calves. We got there just at 11:00 am and that is when the sale starts. All the little nurse calves go through at the very beginning of the auction and we didn't want to miss a possible opportunity to purchase a baby calf. Just before we got to the auction barn Stephen was driving and asked me to pray for wisdom in picking out a calf. So we all bowed our heads and I prayed. After I got done, I thought while I was at it, I should have asked the Lord for a red heifer since that was our hearts desire. Well, to make a long story short, wouldn't you know, the Lord provided a beautiful little red heifer! She was the only one in and amongst a bunch of little Holstein calves. We were so excited. Stephen bid on her and won!
We brought her home, fixed up her little pen, and by the next morning, she nursed without a problem on Mable our Jersey cow. Now we can just milk whenever we want to and leave both the little calves (Mable's little bull calf along with the new little red heifer) out in the pasture to keep her milked throughout the day. We still get to enjoy the benefit of the raw, organic milk, as well as the freedom of not having to be at the house every morning to milk. We feel so blessed!
We started the day at the farm and ate pancakes and bacon that Mo fixed for everyone. They were sure good. I think that eating at the bar like you see in the picture brings back lots of fond memories for Stephen, as he remembers eating pancakes there (when he was our kids age) with his brothers and sisters that his grandma fixed for all the grandkids.
Then we (the kids and I) loaded up in the little red truck while Mr. Herzog and Stephen called the cows in. They usually come pretty easy. The kids know how to call them as well, so we have a chorus going on as we are driving along.
Once the cows are in the lots, the guys separate the ones to sell, the calves to "work" (castrate the bull calves and ear-tag all the heifer and bull calves) and the ones to hold.
The kids really enjoy watching all the action as sometimes it can get pretty lively.
Here are the cows and calves that were loaded and ready to haul to the sale. We got to take them this time because we were actually hoping to do some "shopping" at the auction barn after we dropped off the load. We all still fit in the truck- just barely though. There are six of us that need seat belts (the baby in the tummy shares a seat belt with me:) and six seats in the truck. That was probably the last time we can all ride in Papa's truck...sad, yet exciting!
Unloading at the Auction Barn.
The kids and I got the load dropped off while Stephen went to go look to see if there were any nurse calves. We got there just at 11:00 am and that is when the sale starts. All the little nurse calves go through at the very beginning of the auction and we didn't want to miss a possible opportunity to purchase a baby calf. Just before we got to the auction barn Stephen was driving and asked me to pray for wisdom in picking out a calf. So we all bowed our heads and I prayed. After I got done, I thought while I was at it, I should have asked the Lord for a red heifer since that was our hearts desire. Well, to make a long story short, wouldn't you know, the Lord provided a beautiful little red heifer! She was the only one in and amongst a bunch of little Holstein calves. We were so excited. Stephen bid on her and won!
We brought her home, fixed up her little pen, and by the next morning, she nursed without a problem on Mable our Jersey cow. Now we can just milk whenever we want to and leave both the little calves (Mable's little bull calf along with the new little red heifer) out in the pasture to keep her milked throughout the day. We still get to enjoy the benefit of the raw, organic milk, as well as the freedom of not having to be at the house every morning to milk. We feel so blessed!
1 comment:
Love all the pics and the news!!! Y'all are adorable!! Your family is just precious and I wish I could meet everyone. Hopefully we can sometime soon!
I'm going to enjoy keeping up with you now.
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