Cattle
Cattle drive
Sunday 20 November, 2011
We moved Breeze, Blizzard and Henry into a fresh field on Friday. This was the first time we'd moved Henry anywhere.
What a laugh - the girls went on their halters and Henry followed - at a gallop. There was straw lying in the gateway of the field he was leaving and he "couldn't" get over it - except with a huge jump. That made him tear excitedly round the next paddock. Then he lost sight of Breeze and Blizzard, which set him off bawling, so Bliz and I had to go back and pick him up.
Quite a day
Friday 28 October, 2011
Well, it's been quite a day.
John and I were off to Aberdeen this morning at 7.30am to collect Henry, our Shetland steer. He's a six month old castrated bull calf. We were meeting his breeder at the NorthLink ferry port at 9am- she was coming down to pick up cattle arriving from Shetland so Henry came too and transferred with no fuss at all into our trailer.
Henry, Shetland steer
Breeze and Blizzard are home
Wednesday 12 October, 2011
CorrieDhu brought Breeze and Blizzard home tonight, which was good of her. Both loaded like a dream - well, Breeze did. Blizzard was a little more difficult.
. Hopefully, both are in calf.
Breeze was AI'd on 15th August, using Stanemore Odin, and hasn't been seen to come back into season by either me or Viking, the bull they have been running with. If she held then, she will be due around the 25th May.
Beef
Thursday 29 September, 2011
We've been given the opportunity to buy a castrated Shetland bull calf so we've decided to take it. This means we get prime beef for the freezer a year earlier than we had planned. Actually, two years earlier, because the breeder has a steer going for slaughter this month and we're buying some of that.
We asked for a rib roast for our Solstice dinner but because the beast is over thirty months, she thinks that all bones will have to be removed, despite the fact that he came from Shetland and has only been on her farm. Hey ho, rules is rules, I suppose, but Tess, Meg and Fillan will be disappointed.
Fat cow
Thursday 22 September, 2011
OK, OK - I admit it - my cows are fat. On Dalmore's good grass, Breeze and Blizzard have become a little beefy. They are square built but they are also carrying a bit too much condition. However, Viking seems to like a big girl, so hopefully, he's done his job.
I am writing no more about the cows now until they are confirmed in calf - the "is she, isn't she" saga is wearing me out and probably boring you to death, so no more until we have something positive to tell you.
Patience is a virtue
Monday 19 September, 2011
Just when I thought they were in calf.... Blizzard has come into season and has had a high old time with Viking. So back to the calendar.
Viking on Blizzard
I'm going to bring them home on the 14th October. By that time, both will have had another cycle while running with the bull. If they aren't in calf by then, I'll leave it until next year. I don't really want autumn born calves.
Calves?
Saturday 17 September, 2011
Well, it looks like (touch wood) our two heifers are in calf. Breeze was AI'd on 15th August with Stanemore Odin; 21 days was 5th September and she's showed no sign of bulling again. Blizzard was AI'd on 28th August with Hengae Fearsome; 21 days was yesterday and, as far as I know (they're running with the bull now), she's not come back into season either.
IF they are in calf, Breeze is due 25th May and Blizzard on 7th June.
Now I have to decide when to bring them home. Do I leave them with the bull for another full cycle for Blizzard, which takes us to 9th October, bring them home after Breeze has the opportunity to come into season with the bull, which takes us to about 1st October or do I trust that I haven't missed Breeze on 5th September and Viking hasn't missed Blizzard this weekend and bring them home at the end of the week. Answers on a postcard 
Sex tourism
Saturday 10 September, 2011
Ha, made you look:-)
Our two heifers are "on holiday" for the next few weeks at CorrieDhu's place, where they will be snuggled up to Collafirth Viking. Actually, I'm pretty sure Breeze is in calf, so she's only gone for the run out. Blizzard will be 21 days past her last AI on Saturday 17th, so if she's not held, hopefully Viking will do his stuff.
Collarfirth Viking
Collafirth Viking
Wednesday 7 September, 2011
Monday 5th September was 21days from Breeze's last AI. Her last cycle was 23 days, so my fingers are still crossed, but she is quiet so far.
Through the SCBA, I have the opportunity to take them both to another member to run with a young bull called Collafirth Viking. Our girls will be going up at the end of the week to run with him for 4 weeks or so. Blizzard, if she hasn't held to 2nd AI, will come back into heat around the 15th / 16th / 17th September.
He's such a handsome fellow, I almost hope she gets in calf to him - but simply a calf would be good.
Third time lucky?
Sunday 28 August, 2011
Just had Blizzard AI'd for the third time. I can now sympathise with women who are trying for a baby - the hope of thinking "this time" and the despondency when it turns out "not this time".
I am now confident that Breeze will come back into season next week. She'll get a third AI, because I've got semen left, but I'm trying through SCBA to hire a bull.
They can have two more goes, then we'll leave it until next year - another two cycles will take us to July calving and I don't want to have calves too late in the year, especially since they have been up to their knees in grass all spring.
