….of raising Devon is coming into a pasture at sunrise and finding that your herd has a new and excellent addition. Second best is hearing about a wonderful addition to another herd, particularly if it’s from our bull.  This is five-day old Tomina’s Ruby Slippers at Tomina Farm in Waynesboro, Tennessee.  Dad was Thistle Hill’s Magic (you can see his picture in our bull section) also now enjoying life in Tennessee. Regina Tesnow tells us she loves this little heifer so much “I just can’t stand it!!!!!!!!”  (I think I’ve copied the right number of exclamation points. We love to think we’re helping establish quality Devon herds around the country…

If you’re like our family, the second best thing about Thanksgiving—right after the stuffing—is the annual Turkey Bowl. Usually grandpa (your humble blogger) determines the rules (usually favoring your humble blogger).   We’ve had more than a few challenges to the rulings on the field (issued by you-know-who).  But daughter, Linda—wide receiver, mother of two running backs, wife of one of the quarterbacks and grandmother of this year’s rookie phenom—has forwarded a set of rules not to be quarreled with. We offer them to your family as a public service. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204531404577050370294096452.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLE_Video_second I mentioned one quarterback—Linda’s husband, Bill—the other is Paul—Janet’s husband.  I also mentioned our new rookie, great-grandson Rowan.  Rowan may be only six months old, but…

….1,000!  While we’ve been occupied the past several days shipping animals to their new homes, hosting visiting firemen, and attending a conference on grass (aren’t you sorry you missed it?), this little blog that barely can, passed the thousand mark in readership. Since we got started less than two months ago, with an appropriate lack of fanfare, that is gratifying.  To be honest, we don’t know how this counter software counts, or anything else about blogging, so we can’t say if this is just one of my grandchildren visiting 25 times every day to make grandpa feel good, or if there is actually some interest in these meanderings. In any event,…

…that you can click on any picture on this Blog page….and the pictures enlarge to full screen? I didn’t; and I’m supposed to be in charge here.*  Just found out by accident. We will continue now, at the same low subscription price.   * I know because I reconfirm that every morrning with Wooz.

…but a little younger than I am. Gisela and Kurt Volkert have been an important part of my life since 1967.  That’s when I was assigned to Viet Nam by CBS News.  Kurt and Gisela, newlyweds, were new to the war, too.  Kurt was one of those brave but anonymous combat cameramen who made CBS coverage of Viet Nam so noteworthy.  I kept my head down and provided the words later. Kurt is now an artist living in Germany but the Volkerts are regular visitors to the States, not so much because of the quality of my conversation but because they have a baby granddaughter living here.  Visitors, old friends, none…

It’s been a busy week at Thistle Hill…and so blogging has had to take a back seat.  But to explain: Inevitably, as you walk through your herd during the year, you make judgments: which one to keep and which one you can part with.  It’s never easy and generally comes down to which one has enough “backups” in the herd of the same bloodline.  It’s particularly difficult for Wooz who would keep all her babies….in the bedroom!  But finally, through negotiation, the decisions are made and waiting buyers are notified and shipment is arranged. But before any animals are shipped, pedigrees must be put in order, tail hairs pulled for…

….is one of the unsung jobs in the herd but, in fact, it’s an important job and apparently something of an honor. Currently that position is being filled by that young steer , not even a year old, with four of his charges.  Several more  are just out of camera range. Normally, it’s an older cow that stays with the very young calves while the herd is off grazing.  Clearly that cow has power of attorney to control and even discipline those assigned to her.  When a calf is first born, her mother keeps her close by and doesn’t return to the herd for several days.  That’s the important bonding process…

….from satisfied customers, whether it’s for our meat or our seed stock.  It’s particularly gratifying when that praise comes from experienced Devon breeders such as Linda and Rich Maurer of Madison, Virginia.  They bought a pregnant six-year old cow and a young heifer from Thistle Hill recently and the other day we received this email from Linda: “Thought you’d like to see the new calf, Frosty!  He is a BIG boy – 87 pounds, according to Rich.  He is eating and sleeping mostly.  Our Milking Devon almost literally hit the ground running.  All the beef Devon just eat and sleep for about 4 days before really testing their legs. “Anyway,…

We thought Wooz’ post on our “finishing school grads” was worth a picture.  She is certainly right (she taught me well, too) that visitors are quick to pick up on two things about our herd:  the obvious good health and vitality of the cows and how approachable they are. Veteran cattlemen can’t believe they can walk right up to our animals without them bolting, or at least shying away.  In fact, if you don’t approach our cows, they will approach you with a sniff or even a lick. Keeping the herd in a “mob”…that is grazing close together…has improved their sociability.  So has moving them every day to fresh grass. …