Weaning - UGH!

Yesterday, we weaned the older calves (6-10 months) off their Mamas.

The process starts like a game of  'musical pastures'.

First, the entire flerd was enticed into the barn lot.  Then, the cows and sheep (and Jenny, our donkey) were separated back out into the furthest paddock.  The calves remained in the barn lot.

Then, the youngest calves (the late arrivals) were let out to join their Mamas.  They would be weaned when they got a bit older.

The remaining group of calves were scrutinized.  We had to decide which calves were staying on the farm and which would be going to market.  Calves going to market were placed in one pen, while those remaining stayed put.

Becky is much more superior than I am in helping to move the animals.  I am glad she was present to facilitate the entire endeavor.  Besides, since she is advancing into a management position, she has to be included in the decision-making.

The three bull calves were a no brainer as we had previously determined the best of the bull calves to be future breeding stock - to keep and to sell.

The heifer (female) calves were a bit more difficult to evaluate.  In the end, all South Poll heifers were retained for our future breeding cows and all Angus heifers were slated for market. We had already decided to favor the South Poll breed in our current farm managment operation.

Finally, the steers.  Six were retained for future, from-the-farm marketing.  A beeve, beef  meat animal, will graze about  24 months before it is ready for meat production - especially when grass-fed, grass-finished.  The other steers - to market.

  I get to be with the cows again? Fantastic!

Then, our herd bull and his steer companion, who had recently been sequestered from the flerd, rejoined the group.  Little Red seemed a bit surprised that he was returning to the flerd so soon.  But, we needed his 'retreat' pasture to hold the calves (bulls, heifers, steers) we decided to keep and we did not want any early breeding to occur with the juvenile heifers.  The bull calves are too young to breed, but Little Red would have been very interested.

Glenn and I took 12 calves to market.  We left with our vintage (old) stock trailer at 11:00 AM and got back home at 3:30 PM.  An all day affair when you  consider that we began in the barn lot at 8:00 AM.

On our return, we were greeted with the familiar, and constant, bellowing of the the divided cows and calves.  This bellowing continued throughout the day, throughout the night, and will continue for another two to three days. The cows actually sound hoarse after a few hours.  Each day the racket lessens, but it is very grating on one's (mine) mental state. Sleep is rare. Eventually, the cows wander quietly back among the flerd.  I am guessing (and, perhaps from experience) the bellowing is due more to the discomfort of an engorged udder which diminishes over time. 

Also, during the initial separation, the cows sometimes try to rejoin their calves by tearing through fences.  At times they are successful and; at other times,  not.  I am always hoping - not!

All in all, weaning time is most unfavorable.  Holiday, anyone?