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 on the new addition to the farmy! Thanks for sharing your adventure in calving. Amazing.
Hurrah! He’s arrived: congratulations to Daisy on Baby Bobby. Bet she feels a whole lot lighter now. If a little tender. She’s a trooper 😀
Awesome shots of the birth. I’m so glad you included them all. What a miracle it is! And what a handsome, strapping calf. How marvellous that Daisy is trusting you so well, and that you had your first milking. And that the birth took place in the daytime rather than the dead of night. I’m jumping up and down with excitement for you.
I am away visiting my mom this weekend so am late in the heartfelt congratulations to you, Daisy and the farmy! He is truly a beautiful boy, that Bobby Blanc, and Daisy looks so proud and relieved…and happy! So my mom, who grew up on a farm in south Mississippi, asked me what breed of cow Daisy is, and while I know you’ve mentioned it at some point, and probably several times, can you tell me? I have very spotty internet service here and it would take me until I got home to look it up and tell her! Happy, happy days to you all!~Betsy
Daisy is an Ayrshire, it is a tall rangy Scottish breed that does well on forage ,, which is good as I don’t feed my cows GM corn.. and there is no other kind of feed corn around here.. tell your mum HULLO and thank you for asking! Have a great weekend..c
I am so happy for you all. Congratulations! He is soooooo cute!
Magic! The miracle of birth never ceases to amaze me and fill me with wonder- human, animal, whatever it is . . . it’s awesome!
A warm welcome to Bobby Blanc and congratulations to Daisy and the farmy on your delightful new addition.The photos are great, even the actual birth ones, thanks for sharing them Celi, they are very special.
The Salers don’t let you watch. They separate from the herd and then nip off into the trees.
Congratulations!
poor old daisy had been hanging about down the back of the field for two days, but I raised her from a calf so she lets me pretty close. Salers.. i must look them up! morning jean! c
YEA! Bobby Blanc is just so handsome. And Daisy seems to be taking it all calmly. So glad.
All I can say is Hooray – Good job Daisy!
And all deserve a good night’s sleep.
Morning mouse.. tonight we will all sleep! c
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing those birth photos- they really were amazing. Heartiest congratulations to you all!
Congratulations to my Daisy!! I’m very happy to hear that everything went smoothly and a big hello to Mr. Bobby Blanc. Give Daisy my love C and I’ll be back on a regular basis this Monday. Hope you are having a great weekend!!
Witnessing the birth of anything, even through photos, is a gift from the world. Thanks for those, C.
Wow! That was absolutely incredible Celi. Such a beauty to see (graphic shots and all). Baby Bobby Blanc is just precious. Congrats!
A very warm welcome to the latest addition to the farmy.
Thank you for sharing the miracle of birth with us. Little Bobby is cute.
Congratulations.