Over the weekend we got together to celebrate Allan Teeple’s retirement.
It was so nice to get together for a special “happy” occasion rather than the other.
One of our friends even brought his new girlfriend along to meet us. Now that’s a big deal—bringing along someone new to meet all us very “un-shy” crazy farmers is a bit frightening.
But she seemed to handle us well, so I think she passed the test (or maybe it was us who passed).
I was pretty sure my time would be short at the party since I had so many cows close to calving. I had told a few people that I had about 10 very close–well, the 10th one came Monday morning.
I had nine calves in 24 hours so it was a busy barn, I tell ya!
I am very fortunate the weather is co-operating as it makes this job a lot easier. This many calves when it’s minus-40 C aren’t nearly as appealing.
The calves seem to be doing well, but I must admit it is hard to keep a close eye on things when you are busy calving.
• • •
Maddie persuaded her parents into getting her back out to the country for the calf inspection. She was determined to have her mom “meet all the new babies.”
She is very comfortable in the barn now, and is working on making her sister, Marlee, feel the same. I was busy weighing a calf when I heard her say, “It’s OK, Marlee, I will take you by the hand so you can pet this calf!”
It wasn’t any time and Marlee was feeling pretty comfortable, as well.
Luckily the barn was full of nice calm cows, so everyone seemed to handle the extra company. We were able to get a few pretty adorable pictures with the girls and some new calves.
Maddie named one of the calves “Snowflake.” Much to my shock, it is a bull, but oh well, who says Snowflakes aren’t boys!
• • •
My old Olympic cow “Nagano” calved, so I now have a “Vancouver.” Too bad it’s a bull so it won’t be staying in the herd.
I did name one of my nice heifers “Whistler,” though.
• • •
I even had some trouble with the barn camera this week (it ended up with some broken wires). Fortunately, my boyfriend/partner made a rescue trip out to see if he could fix it up.
It ended up have to go to town to be soldered, but I am back in action again.
I cannot believe I miss something so much after only having it a year. My girlfriend stopped with her kids and enjoyed watching a calf being born from the house (they think their Grandma needs to get one now).
• • •
In between calves, I spend most of my time in my office. Well, nowadays I like to watch the Olympics but I normally have some job that I’m working on.
I was typing away and thought I could hear a cow bawling–but figured it was just my barn camera. Then I heard it again, and remembered at that point my camera wasn’t working! So I jumped up and looked and most of my cows were headed down the laneway while my guard dog lay sleeping on the step.
I gave a quick shot and they all came running back (they decided to take the nicely-plowed driveway!)
• • •
Thanks to my neighbour who had to come and give me a pull. No, it wasn’t a calf or my truck, but one of my cows seemed to get stuck under a manger in my shed and she couldn’t get herself out.
So we roped her up and tugged her out! There truly is never a dull moment on the farm.
• • •
The trapline has been busy! I guess that had come to an end, with all the traps and snares being pulled, but his goal was to get a black wolf and he ended up with two!
• • •
It seems people (myself included) have been seeing some strange dogs running the roads. Dogs running can be just as damaging as wolves.
Please keep your dogs at home. If they want to wander, then they need to be leashed or kennelled. I, for sure, have one cow that likely would kill a dog that came into the yard with her and her new calf.
The dog that was here seemed friendly enough, but I sent him on his way and hope he made it back home.
It completely embarrassed “Karma.” She thinks she is pretty tough, but she didn’t know what to do when it came right to the door with her.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
