This will be a short post, but I have not abandoned this blog. I have lots to share, both trials and triumphs, but not tonight. Tonight I need to go to bed so that I can get up in the morning.
To summarize, we are milking 139 cows and have 30 left to calve by the 10th of May. We calved about 20 more in March this year then we did last year, so we are condensing our window, which is nice in one sense, but exhausting in another.
We have had 5 sets of twins so far, and two sets were from bull bred heifers. All but one set were born alive without assistance. One of the heifers had a dead bull and a live one. None were heifer heifer.
Our calves are here on our farm and Dad is raising his calves at his farm as well as all of the bull calves, which is very helpful. We figured out what we were dealing with in the baby calves the past two years--BRSV. The cows got it from our bred heifers that we sent off farm to be raised at a fellow grazier's farm. He had some beef cattle there from the auction house that a man bought to "make a quick buck" off of them... We instituted a new vaccination protocol last year and it has seemed to lessen then symptoms that we were seeing in the cows. We took our babies across the road from the cows and put them in the pasture that is not touching the cow lane at all and has a barrier of trees between it and every other pasture. So far, we have only treated 6 calves for BRSV symptoms and they are a result of us not getting the calves across the road quick enough. We give the calves Enforce 3 nasal vaccine and that has helped reduce the instances of the virus.
We have one calf that is struggling with some bloating. We got the vet out to look at her and he isn't really sure what it is, but said to keep doing what we are doing, which is pro-biotics and fluids. We gave her the antitoxin for clostridium, but whether that was the issue or not, it hasn't seemed to have stopped the bloating. We changed the nipples on the feeder, but that hasn't seemed to have helped either. I lowered the feeder in case she is a ruminal drinker, but that hasn't seemed to have much effect. We have given her activated charcoal, in case of toxins, we thought it helped at first, but now seems to be hit and miss. We gave her mineral oil in case she is indeed eating the plastic that is wrapped around the bales that comprise her pen. She ate well tonight, but I think that was because she knew we would bother her more if she didn't. Still not sure what to do with her, but we are praying and hoping that she gets better. We also have to get a tuber with a stainless steel tube on it, because she ruined my two with flexible plastic tubes by chomping on them. It is discouraging to do everything that is within your knowledge and power to do and have it still not be enough.
(4-28-2013: I reread this and I wanted to add something. Yes, we get discouraged by sick baby calves, calving problems with the cows, and equipment breakdowns. BUT that is why we put our trust in Jesus Christ, who is the Author and finisher of our faith, because we have heaven to look forward to. Even when things are discouraging, I must remind myself that even in this, God is still in control. No matter what this is, it is not out of His control, and that gives me comfort. He is never surprised and He is never not in control. Though I may wish circumstances were sometimes different, I will still choose to praise His holy name. I will still choose to give thanks.
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hears and your minds in Christ Jesus."
~Philippians 4:4-7
I strive for the peace of Christ. Things can be going smoothly, but man may not have peace, and things could be going horribly, but I know that Christ is my rock, and the anchor in the storm. He will hold fast any who call upon His name for the salvation of your souls.
It sounds really preachy, I know, but turning to Christ is how we hold it together when mountains seem to enormous for us to climb. We don't always react the way we should right away, but when we take a deep breath and remember Who is actually in control, it allows us to step back and have peace.)
Well, I need to go to bed, but I will be back.
Blessings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory and honor forever, Amen.
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