We have started calving heifers. We usually begin 2 weeks before the first due date and this year was no exception. The first one was born in some pretty cold weather but the rest of the January calves had decent temps. We had ice pack for a good 2 weeks in early January but that had melted about the time the first calf was born. Unfortunately, we had 2 heifers abort during the ice pack. Dr. Moore from KSU could find nothing wrong with either fetus. He postulated that they fell, fought or found a little mold and that caused enough injury to trigger abortion. Just one of those freak things. Well, 15 or so calved, only 450 to go!
The melted ice pack and a few small snow events have left us with MUD. You can't even look out a window without getting filthy. OK, I exaggerate, but not by much. The upside is it's not real deep mud, just enough slime on top to necessitate 4WD and rubber boots.
The fall herd's breeding season is winding down. The bulls will come out of the fall heifers any day now. We go for a 60 day season on them and 75 on the cows. They are looking good as they've been out on some milo stalks and have been receiving some supplemental hay. When the bulls are pulled though, they don't get much from us. We've creep-fed the calves in some years past to keep their nutritional status high enough that their future marbling abilities aren't hurt and will start that soon. But the cows will start to look pretty rough. But by preg-check time in June or July, the view from the back end is that of some pretty roly-poly tail heads! No need for early weaning as a cow body condition management tool in the fall herd.
The girls and I attended the 50th Annual Kansas Angus Futurity held at the KS State Fairgrounds during late January. Joe stayed home to chore. We rarely go to cattle things together because of the cows! It is very nice to attend KAA functins now that I've cycled off the Board and am just a spectator. Our neighbor, George Crenshaw showed in his 49th Futurity and was the driver behind the success of the 50th. By the way, the reason it was his 49th and not his 50th was that one year, the KAA elected to have the Futurity auction on a Sunday and George did not abide sales on a Sunday. For this one though, George helped land several lots that attracted national attention (the 4 embryos that sold for $53,000 from GAR in addition to flushes from several other nationally prominent KS programs) the commission on which will greatly help the KAA. George says this is the last show for him. DRI Herdsman Mike Hall has traveled to the last 2 KAA Futurities and KS State Fairs with George and has enjoyed the experience. It remains to be seen if George will stick to his guns or if September will bring another trip to Hutchinson for the Fair. I hope it does.
Well, the clock shows 11:55. Time to check the heifers. How many days in February?! This isn't leap year I hope! ;-)