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Dig the new digs….
….it’s probably their idea of arriving in cow heaven….Wooz calls it “summer camp”. A group of Thistle Hill steers arrive at a nearby farm courtesy of its new owners, Bob and Ann Emory. And “nearby” is certainly accurate. The new 50-acre pasture is just around the corner. And replaces another that was a half hour away….and much smaller. Until now, we’ve had to pull our steers out every winter for lack of water….and set up portable fencing. Bob has prepared a first-class facility complete with a new loading pen. Cows haven’t been on the land for many years so while we’ve checked and re-checked, we’ll wait a year before really…
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A bovine pedicure….
….Rose Hill tech Jane Narrimore trims the nail of a young lady who had an abscess that needed cleaning up. The heifer moves into the cage…is tightly cinched to the side wall with wide leather straps…and then the whole assembly and heifer is tilted on its side. The animal is given a mild sedative to calm its nerves. Wooz could have used something a bit stronger. We’ve done it in our own chute but without the tilt table, the job is more difficult and probably not quite as good. The heifer was treated and back in her pasture in an hour.
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When a simple whistle isn’t enough….
….generally, we just give a “whoop” and our cows come running. In fact, if they see the Gator they head to the nearest gate. And on this side of the road, they get ready whenever the garage door opens. But this is certainly a more colorful way to summon the herd. Wooz is already promising to take lessons. http://www.wimp.com/cows-didgeridoo/ Thanks to Cathy Cochran of Palmyra, Virginia, a fellow Devon breeder, for the link.
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Lining up at the passport office….
….well, not really. But this group of heifers Wooz is checking out have their health exam completed and are now waiting for their export permit. On the right is a bull from Lakota Ranch which will be sharing the trailer. Destination is Ontario, Canada and a farm owned by John and Connie Moelker.
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Good morning….
….is there anything finer than going out into the pasture in the morning and being greeting by a heifer with her brand new calf? We don’t think so. The mom is descended from one of the first Devon we purchased years ago. We liked the line but the females had bad udders and we’re also not the most caring mothers. Now, we’re glad we waited. The complete package! While we slept.
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A grass fed short course….
….health blogger Dr. Joseph Mercola sums up a study by Clemson University and the USDA on the benefits of grass fed beef: A joint effort between the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Clemson University researchers determined a total of 10 key areas where grass-fed is better than grain-fed beef for human health. In a side-by-side comparison, they determined that grass-fed beef was: Lower in total fat Higher in beta-carotene Higher in vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) Higher in the B-vitamins thiamin and riboflavin Higher in the minerals calcium, magnesium, and potassium Higher in total omega-3s A healthier ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids (1.65 versus 4.84) Higher in CLA (cis-9…
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Waste not….
….we’ve been trying to decide what to do with this old tree…victim of multiple lightning strikes over the years. Never occurred to us that it was a work-of-art, just standing there waiting for Emily Brezezinski, a sculptor of note who in recent year has been work with wood…..tree trunks, for instance. With a chain saw! She happened to be driving by last fall….saw our most prized possession…and dropped by several times. We knew we had her on visit three! Recently, her crew came by….trimmed the excess….and carried it off. We can’t wait to see the result. If you’d like to see Emilie’s work, go to www.emiliebrezezinski.com. If the name seems…
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The case for Thistle Hill….
….meat and animals. Dr. Joseph Mercola sums up the four major threats to your health eating most foods you buy in restaurants and supermarkets. Despite the growing stack of evidence to the contrary, the government is making it easier and easier for Big Ag to poison you….and our land and water. Thistle Hill never uses antibiotics, hormones, and “cides” (herbicides, pesticides) of any kind. Even the little bit of corn we feed our pigs is non-GMO. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2015/04/07/cafos-gmos-antibiotics.aspx?e_cid=20150407Z1_DNL_NB_art_1&utm_source=dnl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=art1&utm_campaign=20150407Z1_DNL_NB&et_cid=DM71645&et_rid=906975534
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But can TDA Churchill “stamp” his progeny….
….it would appear so. TDA™ Churchill 01….son of the great English champion Cashtiller….has now been used selectively on a few cows in our herd. Here’s the result. The dam is THF Wonderful W64 . Traditional Devon™ was formed to import pure English genetics into the American herd….to provide a choice for a breed that was maneuvering itself into a corner. Churchill is breeding “true”….right down to what is an authentic “ruby red” coat.
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The grass is always greener….
….if only by a little bit. These young calves probably went through the high tensile wire on the other side of the pasture…walked along a river…and back up this side to wait near the gate. It’s become something of a game for seven of the calves this season. Better not to chase them. Leave them alone and they’ll come home. We’re keeping the main herd in a sacrifice area with hay, trying to give the grass a start before we launch the rotation. Probably time to give up and just get them moving….fast! Photo by Duane Ard.