Well, it has been another busy week. I ended up treating two calves for pneumonia after last weekend’s weather. The heifer calf improved quicker than the steer calf, but I think finally the steer is coming along. Thankfully they continued to nurse the cow but every peek on the camera and trip to the barn I was always nervous to see how things were going. It took a bit to get their temperatures to drop, but once it did it seemed to be what gave them the most relief. As I checked the weather I decided that I best keep them in my shed since I didn’t want them out in more of the unneeded snow. I was trying to keep the barn empty as I am in Guelph for a couple of days and I didn’t want my mom doing any extra chores. (Especially shovelling manure and hauling it out of the barn.). Of course, I had a cow calve Saturday afternoon, so she is stuck in the barn until I get back. I don’t like to put a cow with a new calf out in a storm either. I have three cows left to calve. One should be this week and the other two I am disappointed with, but they will be sharing barn space with the sheep.
Saturday was another day of working on the water. We are hoping that things will be ok and we can access it again to see if a new well needs to be in the works. My well is in a spot that would require working in dry or frozen conditions. If I do need a new well then I think it would be best to stick to the area that it is, since all the lines are run to the house, barn and water bowls. If what they have done buys me some time it is a good thing! I need to work at saving some money for a big project like that.
RRCA is happy that James Gibson has come back to manage our Sales at the Stratton Sales Barn for one more year! We are planning to not work James as hard and assign some key people to areas of our barn and just have James as the key contact! James will soon be looking for cattle for our spring sale on April 26.
RRCA is hosting a pre-vaccinated calf club meeting this Thursday at the Sales Barn beginning at 7:00 p.m. We have a great agenda lined up so I hope you will take some time and come out.
RRCA is also excited to host a workshop day at the Sales Barn on May 3. We are planning various stations throughout the day. We have plans for ultrasound, new industry products, traceability and much more. Watch for more details!
As some of you may have been following, a committee that I belonged to and enjoyed immensely has been told we are no longer needed. I have enjoyed my time with the Riverside Foundation. It was a really nice bunch of people to work with and raise money for hospital equipment in the District. I am thankful for the people that I met and worked with over my years with the Foundation.
