After a month in the pen, we decided that the three calves were weaned and ready to return to the herd. When Charlie opened the gate to let them out, they just ignored him. He was able to get Genesis’ attention and she walked over to him and then out of the gate into the pasture. Annie followed suite, but when she walked through the gate she kicked up her back legs and jumped out. Joni must have thought that would be fun and she did the same though and kicked up her back legs to bounce out of the holding pen. I thought that I was going to have to get into the pen to coax Stevie out, but by the time I climbed over the fence she was headed to Charlie to walk out the gate. It didn’t take long for Genesis and the three calves to walk over to the herd and mingle right in. Joni was the only calf that tried to nuzzle with her Mama. Mama Cow was very quick to push her away and let her know that she was a big heifer now!

Big Boy has acclimated in well with the ladies in the herd. At first, when they wandered from the other side of the creek in the morning for cubes, he would stay over there. Now he wanders with them wherever they are going. Or may they are wandering wherever he goes. It’s interesting to see them at the water trough. When there are several cows at the trough, they will sometimes push one another out of the way. When Big Boy shows up, he walks up to the trough and they simply let him walk right up and make room for him.

Big Boy’s job has been to find the three cows that haven’t bred yet and take care of business. After watching him for a couple of weeks, he seems to be trying his best to do his job. We’ve noticed him spending time with each of the three. We’ll know soon if he was successful. Our calving time is expected to be between mid-July and mid-August. Hopefully, we will have 14 healthy calves.

Coming up on the ranch…hay baling! The pastures were fertilized and sprayed for weeds in the Spring and the grass is growing very well. So well in fact, that the pastures will need to be baled soon. This will give us hay for our herd as well as sell some like we did last year. Stay tuned for more details.