what country kids do for fun

...take their calf for a walk in the orchard

Breeding Season

Jazz was AIed yesterday to In Focus (page 5), a popular bull in the Angus industry. If she takes, her Shorthorn Plus (50% Shorthorn-50% Black Angus) calf will be born around March 24, 2012.

I was really starting to worry I might not catch Jazz in heat and not be able to get her bred back on time. So, this is good. A late March calf is good, and only a month later than this year's calving. Timing was crucial. I looked out the window 7:00 Tues. night and caught a glimpse of Jazz with her chin on Crater and him rushing forward away from her--maybe she started to ride him? Two hours before dark, asking kids to watch for more signs, on the internet, a few phone calls, was given the number of apparently the only AI guy around from Canby {see 'Local Resources' section in sidebar}. Called him and he could come in the morning. Nice. Narrowed down bull to go with next. Another call to 4R Ranch down the road to check on options for bull semen and finalized decision. Cow is mostly grazing, a little mulling around and head rubbing with steer, but kids saw her try to ride calf and steer again. That was it. I never really saw much myself, so good thing I didn't end up going anywhere that night. Good thing I forgot about the 4-H Leader meeting/fair orientation at the fairgrounds.

This first year of being back into raising cattle is like one hurdle after the other--just busy, and new things to learn and get set up. You really need a lot of resources {see 'Local Resources' section in sidebar} that come from networking with other breeders. Where to buy cattle, feed, show supplies, hay, who to use as a vet, AI tech, which shows to go to, where to register, on and on. Calving, vaccinations/worming, weigh-in, steer feeding program, showing, AI breeding, vet scheduled for Bangs vaccination, registering heifer, hauling hay, weaning, and on and on. I can't imagine how overwhelming it would be if I hadn't grown up with all this and had that background to guide me. Most of all, couldn't do it without support from husband, his skills at building fences and feeders, pasture management, driving a tractor and stock trailer, and...his money for investing.

Quizz

I thought it was time to take calf growth photos again. Here is Quizz on June 14 at 113 days of age--a week from 4 months. We are excited to get her in the show ring and see how she does. I am impressed with her overall size, thickness, and width across the top. She is going to be a real easy fleshing cow like her mama. This is the type of calves we set out to raise. If you're going to grow beef cattle, you want thick, meaty, sound cattle that put weight on easily instead of costing you for needing extra feed. She also has a good temperment, which is important for trouble-free and easy-growing cattle. If they are flighty, not only are they hard to handle at home and at shows, but they tend to not feed, grow and keep their condition as well when easily stressed.

The kids got the halter on Quizz last night and we walked/worked with her. We rigged an old, yellow rope calf halter to keep on her so it will be easy to work with her over the next week. It stays loose around her nose, but is knotted to not come off, and has a short, two-foot lead hanging down. To catch her, we just grab the halter when she comes in to feed, instead of having to rope her around the neck, wrestle with her to halter her, and get stepped on and splattered with manure at the same time. To work with her, we just clip on a neck rope around the knotted end of the short lead.

Spring Classic

2011 Spring Classic Junior Livestock Show in Canby, Oregon at the Clackamas Co. Fairgrounds, May 27-29

Jess showed Crater in the market steer class on Saturday, and in showmanship on Sunday. Crater weighed in at 1237 and was in class 6 out of 7, putting him on the heavyweight end of things. And yet, he still needs to put on more weight to be finished out for county fair. He has too big of a frame, and not enough muscling and thickness to be the ideal type of steer. But, he has been a fun first steer project for Jess. Crater has been super easy to handle at home. Pulling him out of the pasture and bringing him to the fairgrounds stressed him out, though. He was difficult to show, and had a lot of 'Angus' energy to work out, I guess.
Jess had a really fun weekend showing, and it was a great warm-up to fair. She gained a lot of experience and confidence in the show ring. A big thanks to our county's champion senior showman, Justin Jones, for taking time to give her a few private lessons before showmanship! And, CONGRATULATIONS, to Kylee of Rusher's 4R Ranch for taking Supreme Champion Female with their Angus show heifer.
The best part was having her cousin, Morgan, there. Morgan showed her Boer Goat, and won Reserve Champion Junior Showman! Little sisters, Catie and cousin Reese, and the brothers, Andrew & cousin Grant, also had fun hanging out at the show.