Baymule
Herd Master
We got 3 1/2 inches Wednesday night. Sunny yesterday and today, but the rain is coming back. Farmerjan I am sorry that you are having such a hard time with the bad weather.
Farmerjan's journal - Weather
- Thread starter farmerjan
- Start date
- Thread starter
- #72
farmerjan
Herd Master
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2016
- Messages
- 11,699
- Reaction score
- 46,504
- Points
- 758
- Location
- Shenandoah Valley Virginia
YAY The sun is out !!!!!!!!
Could you tell I am Excited?
Already 50 at 9 AM. WOW
Baymule
Herd Master
I hope you get a few days reprieve from all the rain.
greybeard
Herd Master
The river just last night fully receded back into it's banks.barely. It has begun to rain now.....again.
- Thread starter
- #75
farmerjan
Herd Master
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2016
- Messages
- 11,699
- Reaction score
- 46,504
- Points
- 758
- Location
- Shenandoah Valley Virginia
@greybeard ; I can feel for you. I remember the pictures from the horrible flood not so very long ago. This kind of crazy weather has been very trying, for so many areas of the country. It was an absolutely gorgeous day yesterday considering it was late Dec., and after all the cold wet stuff. I got the 2 calves treated and everyone back out loose. 
They both looked better, just from being in the dry surely helped. But having perky ears and NOT wanting to be caught in the chute for shots was a good sign. Today is partly cloudy although they say we will see more intermittent sun this afternoon. Unfortunately we will have rain/showers coming back in for tonight and tomorrow. Hopefully less than a 1/2 inch.
Sun is trying to come out some now. Yesterday it got up in the low 60's but today is maybe going to hit 50 or so. Any day with NO RAIN is a good one right now. We are supposed to get some again mid week, can't do much about it. Can't get the trailer up to the barn to get a couple of cows out that I want moved though. Too muddy and don't need to get it stuck and tear up the ground.
They both looked better, just from being in the dry surely helped. But having perky ears and NOT wanting to be caught in the chute for shots was a good sign. Today is partly cloudy although they say we will see more intermittent sun this afternoon. Unfortunately we will have rain/showers coming back in for tonight and tomorrow. Hopefully less than a 1/2 inch.Sun is trying to come out some now. Yesterday it got up in the low 60's but today is maybe going to hit 50 or so. Any day with NO RAIN is a good one right now. We are supposed to get some again mid week, can't do much about it. Can't get the trailer up to the barn to get a couple of cows out that I want moved though.
Too muddy and don't need to get it stuck and tear up the ground.- Thread starter
- #76
farmerjan
Herd Master
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2016
- Messages
- 11,699
- Reaction score
- 46,504
- Points
- 758
- Location
- Shenandoah Valley Virginia
Monday eve; well, we had 2 days of sun, mostly sun on Sunday.... got a few things done but it is like walking across a field that has just been flood irrigated.... water every where. Still, the sun really helped bolster spirits.
Naturally, it started raining last night and rained some this morning, then just cloudy chilly, damp, with some more for this evening before it finally moves out.
Then maybe sun again for Tues into Wed????? Can only hope. Then rain again closer to the weekend. Supposed to test one of my big herds Thurs eve/Fri morn.... I like this not working stuff, ,but need to get back to doing something for some income for awhile.
We are looking at how we are going to try to get some cattle out of one place.
The calves need to be weaned, the cows need to be preg checked as they will be due to start again in March.... and we don't know how we are going to get up near the catch pen... 
Did I ever say how much I love farming????
Naturally, it started raining last night and rained some this morning, then just cloudy chilly, damp, with some more for this evening before it finally moves out.
Then maybe sun again for Tues into Wed????? Can only hope. Then rain again closer to the weekend. Supposed to test one of my big herds Thurs eve/Fri morn.... I like this not working stuff, ,but need to get back to doing something for some income for awhile. We are looking at how we are going to try to get some cattle out of one place.
The calves need to be weaned, the cows need to be preg checked as they will be due to start again in March.... and we don't know how we are going to get up near the catch pen... Did I ever say how much I love farming????
Mike CHS
Herd Master
I need to view you "how to catch a calf' video. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with the two I have at some point.
I'm not sure what I'm going to do with the two I have at some point.- Thread starter
- #78
farmerjan
Herd Master
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2016
- Messages
- 11,699
- Reaction score
- 46,504
- Points
- 758
- Location
- Shenandoah Valley Virginia
@Mike CHS . Easiest way is to start about 2-3 weeks before you are planning to catch them up. Erect a pen of some sort, 4 10ft gates anything, to make a square, something like that. and start feeding them some grain in a couple of flat pans inside it. Once they see that you are feeding them, they will come and once they get a few days of getting used to it, with the gate (one side) left open, then you can shut it. Then open it up and let them out. It is all about routine and familiarity. " Hey, it's no big deal, he's putting our feed in there, tastes the same, he hasn't done anything to make us scared" .... Do it the same and it usually works if it is the same time. So, say you are going to ship them Feb 1st. You will get them into the pasture/field where you will be loading them from no later than Jan 15. start feeding them/calling them to the same spot and giving them a "reward" for coming to you in the form of grain. I think you do these same basic things for your sheep. Cattle are no different except the pen needs to be a little higher so them can't go over it.
We can drive the truck into the field at our pastures and they come looking for their handout. If there is enough room in our catch pens the calves will usually come right in with the cows .... because mom did it it must be okay.... No rodeos, or upsets for the most part. We always have one or two that doesn't like to come in, but you are only dealing with 2 head. get them used to you feeding them and they will come right in. Make sure you keep the routine the same. Little things, like another person standing near, will immediately make them think, OMG what is going on, something is gonna happen....
We can drive the truck into the field at our pastures and they come looking for their handout. If there is enough room in our catch pens the calves will usually come right in with the cows .... because mom did it it must be okay.... No rodeos, or upsets for the most part. We always have one or two that doesn't like to come in, but you are only dealing with 2 head. get them used to you feeding them and they will come right in. Make sure you keep the routine the same. Little things, like another person standing near, will immediately make them think, OMG what is going on, something is gonna happen....
CntryBoy777
Herd Master
Well, with all the difficulties that many are having with their weather....I sure hate to report that it was 84 and sunny today and the next 3 days are going to be in the 80s for highs and 60s for lows.....I know, so I'll save ya the trouble....
Mike CHS
Herd Master
So far I'm seeing working with them is just like with the sheep - just a bigger version of critter.
