Our baby calf has arrived. Both mother and baby are doing just fine. I am going to let the images tell the story. A few of these shots are of the actual birth which was perfect. Magic in the field. I thought I would warn you of the birth photos ahead of time, in case you are a little fragile and want to whizz down the page to the pretty ones at the end.
We started at midday. And it was all over by 1.30. I was very lucky that the breeder was free and able to come over and support me. Of course Daisy was fine and managed it all herself. I was the one that needed propping up. I was on a steep learning curve yesterday.
First your new calf. This is Baby Bobby Blanc. He is mostly white and a very big boy! He has one white nostril and one red one, like a minstrel.
He is big but not that big. 
Now here are three shots of the birth, You can close your eyes and scroll down but I cannot censor these three. It is too wondrous. 
Big feet said the breeder. 
Big head, said Daisy.
Ok. Awesome but pretty graphic so lets get to the cute shots! We pulled her baby around to her head and Daisy mooed and cooed and licked and got him all cleaned up. 
We had to force her to stand up as she was on the ground a bit long.
Time for Bobby Blanc to stand up. He tottered about and was ready to suckle quite quickly but Daisy kept backing away from him so I left them for a while.
Later and Bobby Blanc was nursing.
There now.
When John got home we loaded this incredibly heavy calf onto the back of the pick up truck and I held him with Daisy trotting alongside and into the barn we all went.
With Bobby Blanc alongside, I milked Daisy and tended her udder. Daisy just stood beautifully while I milked. To get the cups onto her ridiculously swollen udder, in my unpracticed cack-handed way, I was almost knelt right under the cow. A prime target for a good kick, but she just waited. I will get better at this I told her as we finished. Once she was free, with the smallest switch of her tail, she sauntered back out into the field and began to eat like a starved teenager, leaving me with her baby.
Good morning. They both had a quiet night and very shortly I shall go out and milk again.
And so it begins. Suffice to say I did not get a cup of tea yesterday either. It was all too new to me and I could not settle for a smoko break at all. But I did have that glass of wine you recommended as the sun went down on a very successful day.
Have a lovely day. I am back on that learning curve. There will be a lot of calf gazing today too! And lots of prettier pictures tomorrow. And plenty of shuffling chores into a new routine!
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
107 responses to “Introducing Baby Bobby Blanc”
Congratulations to Daisy. The new baby is quite mature looking; it’s clear to see why Daisy was so huge. I’m So happy that everything worked out so well.
The farmy has changed its cast of characters a lot since my first ‘visit.” The Shush sisters, Kupa and his ladies,mama’s twins and now Little Bobby Blanc. What a happy family you’re evolving into!
Hopefully this will do for a bit! i think I have enough!! c
Yeah! Good job Daisy! In the last picture, she looks like she’s saying “I DID it!!” Let Bobby Blanc suckle as much colostrum as possible…..
Yeah, again!
Keep the pictures coming! I KNOW you’ll have a great day, Celi.
GMom
Morning GMom, he is getting piles of milk.. that colostrum is good stuff..he is a strong drinker too! c
I was just wondering to myself if calves have first milk with colostrum like people do. Thanx for the answer. Does it look different?
It is heavy, thick and yellow .. absolutely full of goodies!
Wondrous thing … although I do wonder how you got the calf in that ziploc bag.
shocking isn’t it!!! (laughter!) morning Bill.. c
Now this is great news! Better still that mother, calf, and you, Celi, are all doing well. Congratulations!
Just look at how your farmy has grown– and correct me if I’ve forgotten a character. There was the surprise brood of chicks; the eventual arrival of 3 piglets; Kupa and his 2 hens; Mama’s 3 lambs;, and, finally, Daisy and the handsome Bobby Blanc. So many new and additional heartbeats — and they couldn’t get better care anywhere than where they are right now.
Thanks, Celi, for thinking of us and taking pics of such an incredible event. Have a great day — though yesterday will be a tough act to follow. 🙂
We will have a great day, isn’t the weather just perfect! ‘ Morning John.. c
Sitting here with tears in my eyes, and grinning ear to ear!! Congratulations! Whew! Must have been something to see up close and personal. Great job on the milking too. Good for you on the learning curve.
Wonderful and congratulations! He’s just beautiful and what a good mama Daisy is. All those pictures made me kind of emotional! I’m excited for you and wish I could be there to do some calf gazing today.
Make sure you take some time for your tea today! ~ April
Daisy has been so brave!!! Congratulations my friend, he is beautiful 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Simply fabulous
What a beautiful baby boy! You must almost feel like a proud mother yourself.
What wonderful photos! She is so cute!
Wowee Yippee and suitable expressions of joy and congratulations. Lovely photos, every one. I sho wed them to Jock and he said “it’s all a lot of bull”. I’m glad the first milking went so well. You are a clever girl with enough energy for 3! Wouldn’t it be great if humans could be delivered in an hour and a half?
I hope you manage to get some rest.
ViVx
It was fast once she got going.. that Jock is a laugh!! Gave me a chuckle! c
Welcome Baby Bobby Blanc! Daisy makes it look easy. Is it a noisy experience or are humans the only noisy deliverers? Daisy looks a lot better than I did after delivering! Congratulations to all!
Daisy is a noisy cow as we know but once she got going she was very quiet and intent.. c
Congratulations! Thanks for sharing.
Great freshening pics. I always love to watch the process too, but haven’t had a chance in a few years now (all the cattle are gone at our place). Good luck grabbing your tea today.
Oh yes, freshening is the correct term, lovely word. This is the first time I have seen a calf born so it was pretty incredible for me too! c
Is there anything more amazing and exhilarating than watching new life enter the world? Thank you for sharing that experience with us! And congrats!