Over the last week I have been spending lots of time in the pasture checking in on our cows who we have shifted to our back paddocks. Although we have done a few kilometers of fencing since we bought the farm there is still plenty more to do. This video clip I was referred to via social media verifies that you can be a good herd farmer if you take care of your soil and what grows out of it.
A big day on the farm with the cattle. With Alison away on a cheese making course it was up to me and the 3 girls to put the cattle through the yards for drenching.
In about 3 hours we had the job done and dusted. I will scan and post the detailed notes of the doses and procedures done to the cattle but right now I have to get my self away from the keyboard and onto the tractor to help the Peter McDonald fencing crew.
It looks like its the year of the Girl at the Four Girl Dexter Stud. One of our first 4 cows, Reanna, has just given birth to a lovely little black dexter heifer calf. Congratulations Aubrey, last year you got a Red Heifer and this year you get a black one. Well done Girls.
Yesterday as I was pulling out of the farm with Dan Swan on our way to assist Sarah with her first 100 mile table, I noticed another one of our Dexter Heifers was about to calf. A quick text to Alison and the girls headed out to the birthing paddock to check on things. Here are some photos taken by Morley of the experience. Alison believes our first cow Condamine must be some sort of Royalty. “What a beautiful girl she is, Morley was able to get right up to her and be part of the birth.”
The girls named Condamine’s calf after our neighbour Catherine who also got to witness the birth.
Another calf for the Cromwell Farm yesterday. Morley reckons it’s a Bull Calf. I reckon our Dexter Cross heifers are awesome cows.
Need a name that starts with C
The top wood shed paddock is starting to fill out with calves. Thank goodness we have daughters to keep us organised. Aubrey is sitting beside me with her smart phone reviewing the information on the calving so far. Here is what she has recorded:
August 8, 2011- Chip (bull calf) from Condillisa (Sire Twin Bull)
November 3, 2011-Dan (bull Calf) from the late Delillah (Sire Loco)
November 14, 2011-Azzy (heifer Calf) from Azalia (Sire Loco)
November 15, 2011-Alabama (bull calf) from Abbellina (Sire Loco)
November 17, 2011-Whisteria (heifer calf) from Whisquita (Sire Loco)
November 18, 2011-Kate (heifer calf) from Kicking Cross (Sire Loco)
In the bull pen waiting..
Condamine-November 26
Abella
Houdini
Reanna-November 28, 2011
Milking Cross-November 26
Gem
Ebby
And it wouldn’t be a blog without a photo.
A quick update before we lose track of who has come out of who and when (oh and who has gone over who when too)
Cattle
14 November-Azallia dropped a heifer calf
15 November-Abellina dropped a bull calf
Looks like there are plenty more on the way. More information coming from Aubrey.
Pigs
Barney the Berkshire has put on his smoking jacket after successfully servicing Gypsy and Babe. And now we wait.
Chickens
14 November- 1 chick
15 November- 4 chicks and counting
Our second calf of the year. The wait is finally over. We stopped milking our Big Girl months ago in anticipation of this calf. Turns out the girl did not come with one in the Oven. Our Dexter Bull Lowco got to her and has given us a beautiful black calf. Milking times coming back real soon.
A very successful day Mustering and drenching the cattle. Here is a summary of our work for the record books.
Tag Name Pour On Oral Drench Comments 101 Condamine 300 done Narly in the crush-head lock required 102 Abbelina 350 done good in crush 103 Reanna 300 done good in crush 104 Condillisa 300 done good in crush 105 Abella 300 done good in crush 106 Kicking Cross 350 done Narly and tried to head butt boo 107 Azalia 300 done good in crush 108 Milking Cross 350 done Narly in crush 109 Whiskquita 300 done good in crush 110 Gem 350 done Narly in crush 111 Ebby 350 done ok 112 Houdinie 300 done good in crush 113 Annabelle 250 done good in crush 114 Rosie 200 done good in crush 115 Carter 200 done crazy 116 Windsor 200 done crazy 117 Kharma 200 done good in crush 118 Archer 200 done crazy 119 Manchester 250 done crazy 120 Eddy 200 done crazy 121 Lowco 500 done such a good boy 122 Delilah 350 done good big girl 123 Daisy 150 done good girl 124 Chip 50 done Nils Tag-NCZ329SXBF00017
The Four Girl Dexter Stud is getting ready for its 3rd Mullumbimby Show this November (not sure about the date–their site has not been updated). Better get on that.
Speaking of getting on–the girls are already preparing their cows and took the time yesterday to write down some notes on the cows they want to take and the work that needs to go into them. It’s great to have some help with content for the blog too. Thanks Aubrey, Morley and Bella. Can’t wait for the show…when ever it is.
Cromwell Farms
Show cows:
Annabelle (black heifer)- Annabelle is the 2nd daughter of Abaliena and the sire is Twin-Bull. She was also the first calf born in our first lot of calves.
Annabelle has great structure and a good straight flat back. Annabelle’s stance is also one of her strong points and she has a good muscular hindquarter. She also has a good temper is easy to groom and is okay to lead. Annabelle needs to be either clipped or needs her baby fur needs to fall off.
Rosy (red heifer)- Rosy is the 1st daughter of Reanna and the sire is also Twin-Bull. She was the second calf born out of our first lot of calves.
Rosy is a rare colour and has a great stance and udder. She has a good temper and is a pretty sound cow. She is good at walking, tracking and has a very feminine face but she needs to build up her hindquarters and get rid of the two warts on her eyebrow.Chip (black bull calf)- Chip is the 1st son of Condalisa and the sire is Twin-Bull. He is the 1st calf of the second lot of calves.
Chip is still young so it’s hard to find his faults but he need lots of work on leading, being tied up and groomed. But Chip has a good solid structure and a big set of balls. His got a good personality and is good at tracking.
Azalea (black heifer)- Azalea has had one calf Archer.
Azalea is our showgirl, she wins lots of carnivals but she is only good at the carnivals, she doesn’t go well in practice.
