The new calf is going to be called Roxanne but we will call her Roxie. She is so sprightly and fun. I think she will be a perfect Roxie. Thank you so much for all the suggestions both in The Lounge and on the Insty.
Yesterday the cow mothers were out getting a little green in their diet. At least I hope they will all be mothers. I did get one good boot from Lady Astors calf yesterday and her udder is finally moving. She has one month to go. She is allowed a few hours a day on the green grass. I am trying to keep her off the rich feed so as not to push her udder this time. Last year her udder got way, way too big. It was terrifying and took a lot of work to get back in order.
Maybe this calf will not be so late. I don’t think it will be as big anyway.
The piglets had a good day yesterday. They are almost always sleeping half in and half out of their creep. There is a big heavy bar above the door so they are perfectly safe there. These piglets seem slower than other litters I have had. They sleep more and they sleep deeply. They have full tummies though. And they are sleeping in their warm room. Maybe today they will start waking up.
It looks like we might have a magnolia year this year, the flowers are just getting ready to burst open. A summer that begins with a burst of bright yellow magnolia blooms will surely be a good one.
We had massive stormy downpours last night. Piles of rain. I think the seedlings in my garden will have popped up by this morning or been washed away. We will see.
I hope you all have a lovely day.
Love celi
Tuesday 04/11 10% / 0 inCloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. High 58F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph.
Tuesday Night 04/11 10% / 0 inClear. Low 38F. Winds light and variable.
The Kitchen's Garden 
32 responses to “A magnolia year”
Hello,
Remember I mentioned the rubber band dehorning method? I know you mentioned this animal is particularly friendly, but on my cattle, even though they are friendly and petted and brushed, I usually cannot put a halter on them or lead them (except my milk cows, Jane and Shannon). Therefore, when I have to dehorn or castrate an older calf, or when I have a beef momma cow bred artificially, I give them a little tranquilizer. This is really, really helpful. For example, during the rubber-band dehorning process, it is important to cut the hair around the base of the horn. If the calf is a little bit sedated, it is much safer to do this, as I use scissors. I practice brushing all my calves after they are born in the spring (born outside on pasture), so all the cattle are used to and like being brushed. They particularly like being brushed on their rumps. This is handy, as I can give them a little tranquilizer while brushing them, and they usually don’t even know it! I use Xylazine, which I get from a vet. I hardly use any drugs, really only the tetanus antitoxin vaccine, but I do find the Xylazine very helpful as I work alone (well with the Border collies and Maremma dogs!). It also makes the inseminator very happy, as the beef mommas are then very quiet, and it is easier for him to do his job safely.
Your baby piglets are beautiful!! Good job!
Thank you – this is great info – I am planning on doing it next week as soon as the bands come in. (I have a bander somewhere here) – I shall call the vet for the sedative – what an excellent idea.. thank you again c
Congratulation and Welcome to the piglets. May they all stay safe and thrive and prosper well and healthy…
Too funny… I was thinking, ‘I Know those leaves…” And then I thought ‘peppers’…. DUH!! Basil it is – yummy!
Lost two magnolias to the heat this summer . . . love them as a harbinger of spring here! Glad yours are doing what they should. And am seriously short of basil in my garden and seriously envious of yours . . . happy Easter if I do not get back: latest IT prognosis after my ‘return to the fold’ – cables to our community line pillar so old and frayed, passage of messages in-and-out pure lottery!!
So, from what you say about Lady Astor’s previous trouble, it sounds as though the trend of breeding dairy cattle to produce more and more milk isn’t such a great idea after all?
(And best of luck with keeping her udder a reasonable size: )
Magnolias here in Colorado have bloomed and lilacs are coming daily !! Bless the little piglets and gorgeous cows ! Namaste