Cows and calves, calves and cows, calving cows, cows, calves —
(Warning - photo heavy post and no quilts included)
Get the idea?!
Yes, it's that time of the year. We've been at it for about three weeks now, and have about a third of the herd in. So far I have just over 50 keeper calves I'm raising.
Yesterday we had a set of twins born; smallish but both healthy and Mum was doing fine —
It's a great time of the year for the kiddies, too. It's nice when they visit and get into the calfshed —
Our main dam out the back —
Luckily the drought broke in May; the same dam now, fuller than it has been for a very long time.
Since then we've had our annual rainfall in three months. Several floods. The worst was just as we were starting calving a couple of weeks ago. It caused a lot of mess —
There's a bridge under there somewhere!
Of course after the waters recede, a big clean up is needed.
And we're fortunate, we didn't get as much rain as areas closer to the coast, and I understand there are still farms under water. We always drain pretty quickly after a flood and the water doesn't stay around long enough to kill the grass.
Ok so I warned you it was photo heavy and non-quilty related! If you got to the end, thanks!!
'til next time
Happy stitches,
Glad everything is ok..you are busy too!!
ReplyDeleteI love reading your farm news...funny I mentioned just that interest on my post today. My all the calving that has happened on your property! Keeping all hands busy. So glad the rain and sunshine are balanced. Green is good.
ReplyDeleteMy dad’s farm was two thirds above water, one third under for a long time and cut off from Dargaville. He only took over less than a year ago, so between the drought and the floods, covid, and getting gored by a bull, he is very thankful for his incredibly helpful new Northland neighbors.
ReplyDeleteIt's always interesting to see life on your farm. It must be such a busy time of year for you with all those calves to look after.
ReplyDeleteI didnt realise you had had river flooding and so much rain.... looks so lovely and green without the damage... I bet the grandies just love coming to see the calves...
ReplyDeleteHugz
Baby calves are important--
ReplyDeleteas was the rain--
though I bet you could of forgone all the clean up--
but it's great to have folks who help you--
take care--
luv, di
Always interesting to see what is happens happening on the farm. The weather sure has chucked it at you over the last year, drought, flood, and then covid will in the mix as well. So good to hear you had help to clean up after the flood. I guess the best few weeks will be sure busy for you too as the rest of the herd calves.
ReplyDeleteOh the calves, and all the rain, wow, but I am sure you feel that it is a blessing, and a curse at times. Nice to see the littles and I am sure they love the calves.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy to read your posts about your life on the farm...
ReplyDeleteSuch a busy time with calving cleaning up after the floods but it good to have the green grass and a full dam...
Lovely to see the little ones with the calves.
it is always too much rain or not enough isn't it. I love your farm photos and seeing how it goes on the other side of the world down under! it is a busy time of year for you so totally understand that the quilting gets put aside for a little bit - you must get tired!
ReplyDeleteYou guys sure have been busy. Great photos.
ReplyDeleteIsn’t that the way it always is? Feast or famine with the rains! Calving is always a busy time for you folks. They are awfully cute.
ReplyDeleteYou're incredibly busy now but how nice the grands get to come and spend time at the grandparents. I bet they love helping with chores. My husband will enjoy looking at the pictures of a NZ dairy farm.
ReplyDeleteWhat a mess you had to deal with and what a contrast since the start of the year. The only plus is that things grow in mud, but not in dust. Good luck with all your calving.
ReplyDeleteMy goodness lots of babies everywhere! I am sure the rain was appreciated just not the aftermath of mess and cleanup. Always love seeing your part of the world. Glad there was no real damage. What a wonderful thing for your Grandies to experience xx
ReplyDeleteLove seeing all the baby calves. So glad you got rain but isn't that just farming?!? From one extreme to the other! Sheesh! Still, I've always preferred too much rain than way too little.
ReplyDeleteLove seeing all your farm photos, thanks for sharing, and glad you have managed the cleanup, and that you have had rain, and the dam is full. Have fun feeding all those calves, it takes me back to a former life!!
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a turn around before they started calving.....
ReplyDeleteWhat a difference the rain makes, even though there was damage as well.
ReplyDeleteLove seeing all the children taking part in the farm activities. Such a great way to grow up.