It's been awhile

[raeleigh26]

A long while, geesh. My profile pic is Tootsie, I sold her.. Years ago
Well then, I guess an update is in order.
First, dh lost his job, I sold everything, tractor, trailer, truck, all but one cow, my Dexter, Maggie. (13 altogether)
I got a better trailer, and truck, and have 4 head now.
I lost my Dexter bull, Harley, June 2016. He slipped the pen in a storm and was hit by a truck at 3am.
This was after Maggie lost her first calf Dec 2015
Maggie was bred to a mini Jersey after not settling for nearly a year, and was due Dec 20th.
I lost her and the calf to hydrops last Wed.
I have a 6 month old Angus and 6 month old brangus heifers, doing very well.
And just brought home my new Jersey, Dolly, from being bred to a Jersey bull.
She's 22 months now, didn't settle her first time with the bull. Would've been a May calf, and I hope she settled this time.
I also have a bull calf, 1 1/2 years old, but very tiny... He looks like... A red limousine? He's a Heinz 57, not sure at all of his breeding but it's suggested that he's out of a "Holstein" cow (that looks like a black Hereford) and a Dexter bull.... Idk but he's sweet. No idea what my plans are for him. Freezer? He was skin and bones when I got him (in trade for labor) and has gained a good 60#in two months.

Things are better now, I'm still morning my Maggie moo, but it'll be alright, keep on keepin on.
I hope you guys like conversation... I babble

Pictures in order, piper, valley(left), Dolly, bull before and after.

 

[raeleigh26]

I guess this would've been better in the social forum, I've forgotten how to navigate

 

[Baymule]

Welcome back! Don't stay away so long! It sure sounds like you have had a tough time of it, wow. Glad you are back.

 

[Latestarter]

You were going through some real tough times when last you were on. Sorry for all your losses. Glad to see you survived and nice to have you back. Did DH finally get re-employed? Feel free to babble all you want. Thanks for sharing the pics.

 

[Devonviolet]

I'm with Baymule & Latestarter. Glad to have you back & sorry for your loss. You have quite the variety there. Long ago, I wanted to do Devon or Dexter cattle.

But, then we bought (could only afford) 5 acres, which isn't enough for cattle or dairy cows. So, I decided goats were a better choice. I do love my goats!

Love your Jerseys! They are such pretty animals.

 

[raeleigh26]

Thank you!
Yes, we had to take several steps back, dh is very well employed, almost two years now.
I'd had to sell all my good cows to pay bills during that time and them cut my losses on the scrub steers I had.
Started over again, again, with the two black beef girls. They should be ready to breed next fall.
I was holding onto Maggie as she was so dear to me, and the best little milk cow I could ask for, but with her passing, I won't be doing Dexters again.
Maggie's death was unnecessary, where I am I got no respect or basic care for my minis, I'd been in constant contact, or rather, harassing, 3 vets for two weeks and couldn't get any to come out. I'd actually taken her to one of them two weeks before she went down because she was acting strange and obviously in pain, I thought it was labor. Vet A should've seen it instead of giving her 3 minutes for a palpation and discussion about how dwarf cattle are ruining heritage breeds.
By the time I got vet 4 out, she was so bad off, having not eaten for over a week, aside from drench and paste that was keeping her alive, she had a fatal reaction to the meds and died minutes after treatment and labor induction.

Anyway... I've decided to conform to what's expected, and respected, here; black beef cattle. And I do have my Jersey girl, she's not as laid back as tootsie was, she's more business minded, lol.
Dolly is 22 months and I'm praying she took this breeding, otherwise I'll have to take her in to see if there's a problem and won't be able to try again until May.
It has been an uphill battle, but I've got a good solid start. .... Er... Restart...
I still got no idea about that bull lol
My thinking, knowing how their cattle are managed, is maybe they saw him with the Holstein(Hereford cross?) Since she's an open bar cow, and though he was hers, also, since they never put anything out buy hay, given his malnourished condition when I got him, he may be out of their red Angus cow and limousine cross bull, but very stunted.... Idk
Time will tell his fate, but he is very sweet and curious for having been such a wild thing.

 

[greybeard]

Since she's an open bar cow, and though he was hers, also, since they never put anything out buy hay, given his malnourished condition when I got him, he may be out of their red Angus cow and limousine cross bull, but very stunted.... Idk

This Open Bar????

 

[raeleigh26]

Meaning she lets any calf nurse lol

I wish!
No, suspected dam is (I'm 99% sure) Holstein/Hereford

Otherwise, they have all crossbred cattle, limousine, Angus, baldy, couple mottled maybe Longhorn? Polled and horned both. And since this calf is so small they think he's by my Dexter bull. So who knows what he is.

its my understanding that black is dominant, my bull was red, cow is black, to throw red, they'd both have to carry red. Which I guess she could if she's got Hereford in her.
But he doesn't look like either of his supposed parents.

Pics of her:

 

[Baymule]

She's pretty. I hate it when I am treated as less than intelligent just because I don't have a certain hanging appendage. I used to suck it up and take it when I was very young, but I learned to meet them head on and ask what the F is their problem. If a vet is treating you as an inferior, find another vet. Ask up front if they have a problem dealing with a woman, because you aren't stupid and refuse to be treated that way. Be strong, polite and take no crap off anybody.

 

[raeleigh26]

It wasn't me, entirely, they had no use for, it was Maggie.
Mini cows have no place in black Angus country. Apparently.