Feeder Cattle: Month 1 - September

We filled up our monoslope barn with cattle in September!  The cattle that went into the barn are feeder cattle and will be fed until they are ready to become beef!

This is our monoslope confinement

This first month it is important for us to keep the stress low for these animals!  Prior to coming in they were weaned from their mammas.  This can be a stressful time for them (but, like all mammals, they will be fine!).  They've been moved from their mammas, they've moved homes, and have some other new calves around them.  All this newness and stress catches up to them and is our main concern this first month.

As soon as they come to the farm, we "work" them with our veterinarian.  This just means that we give them vaccinations, worm and anything else that they need (by direction from our veterinarian). 

The calves are in the chute!  This helps keep everyone (people and animals) safe!

The main focus is to keep them eating and drinking.  Just like you and me, if we don't have our bodies well hydrated and fed, then we get stressed, we lose energy, and we get sick.

They get fed two times a day when they first come in, so we can keep an extra eye on them.  The ones that come up the bunk first are normally the healthy ones (and are obviously getting fed the most!).  The ones that hang back and don't come up right away we keep an eye on for coughing, runny noses, etc. 

You can see the calf that is hanging back here.  His ears are droopy, he has some snot running out of his nose, his head is down.  He's not feeling 100% :(

 We work with our nutritionist to make sure their ration (feed mix) is good for their bellies.  If we don't get the feed right, they won't eat (leading to more stress/sickness!).  We also need the ration to be palatable for them - if it's too dry or too wet, they don't find it 'appetizing' and won't eat. 

Iowa weather fluctuates (tell me something I DON'T know…).  Our confinement barn helps creates a steady environment for the animals so the fluctuations in weather aren't so severe.  Reducing…you guessed it:  STRESS!  The barn has plenty of bunk space for everyone to get a chance to eat out of the bunk.  But, for those small ones that get bullied - we have stress tubs in the pen so they are still getting nutrition when they get pushed out (every species has bullies).  We also keep the barn bedded with more straw to keep them dry and clean - TA DA - LESS STRESS.   

If we don't do a good job reducing stresses (and in turn, sickness), then we have to rely on antibiotics more!  If we provide a good environment and good care the animals bodies will take care of most if these issues themselves.

I love all of the different markings and faces. <3

Fed Like Our Cattle

Every day the cattle get fed with a mixture of feed specially made for them.  The mamma cows, pregnant cows, cattle fed for beef, etc: they all have what we call a ration of protein, energy, roughage, vitamins, and others.  Some rations are made to help the animals gain weight, lose weight, or just maintain weight.

I wish someone would feed me the ration I need...then again, I don't want to be compared to a cow :)

This feed ration (mix) is made up of cracked corn, hay, distillers, and a balancer (vitamins & minerals).  The cattle here are being fed for beef.

Snow Removal

Last week we received about 11 inches of snow.  And it blew (both literally and figuratively). 

This week, we got another 1-2 inches of snow and it blew again.  

So, we've been stuck at home a lot in the past 2 weeks.  Luckily, the power never went out, so we were able to enjoy the modern luxuries of heat, lights, internet, and television. 

After snow events, or on days that the snow blows into drifts, the monotonous task of moving snow begins.  In order to feed the livestock (and get out of the driveway) we have to get it moved.  Since AJ is the one to do chores, he is tasked with snow removal!

I got a new camera, so I got to test it a little.  Take a look at some of those piles!!

The snow piles are fun areas to play.







This drive leads out to our earlage pile and bales.









Can you see the 3 piles?







The hog barn also needs snow moved.







Lucky AJ at least has a cab!



Above is a video of AJ moving the snow. 

And, while AJ is fighting the snow piles, I am fighting the paper piles.

 

Family Vacation on the Family Farm

I feel like I'm ready for fall now that our family vacation is over.  It seems like it has prepped me for the hard work of harvest.

We were able to visit AJs brother out in the Black Hills of South Dakota for our family vacation.  The kids did great.  The drive was long, but they made it.  At each stop, we'd make the kids race each other to get some of the energy out.  It may have looked sort of silly, but I think it was necessary.  :) 

The weather was BEAUTIFUL.  We stayed in a waterpark hotel.  We got to visit a local park called Story Book Island, and the kids got to dress up like a pirate and princess.  We biked on the gorgeous Mickelson trail. And, we got to rest.  

Vacations are always difficult to prepare for and then to return back to work.  On the farm, it is no different.  The difference on our family farm is that family dynamic.  AJ's parents went on their vacation a few weeks before ours, and we did all the chores.  While we were on vacation, his parents stayed home and did all the chores.  All of us may not be working every single day on the farm, but we are all able to step in when it matters.  

Another challenge in that is that we don't always do a lot of things that we want to, either.  We have to make it work, and most often, we do.  We also ask family to do more work than we would any employees (including things like working holidays, weekends, etc.).  It may be tough, but it brings us closer together.  

And, after being away, it is GREAT to be Home Again Finnegan. :)

Excited for the trip!

 

Look closely.  You can see the kids in the waterslide!

Mickelson Trail



Princess and Pirate.



 

:)

Saturday Morning Chores

Saturday morning cartoons were postponed due to chores!  It is a windy morning, but the calves were happy to see us.  AJ is in the field and needed us to help out.  I'm lucky I have two happy helpers.  :)

Cold Weather Chores

While a lot of my blogging friends have written about the cold weather, AJ and I were able to take a break with some great friends down in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. When we left Des Moines, it was a whopping -14 degrees (that does not include wind-chill!).

We got to Punta Cana at 4:30 pm that day (Punta Cana time) and it was 89 degrees ABOVE ZERO! Yea, it was awesome. We had a great time. Besides getting sick, it was a beautiful trip. I had hoped to see some of the Dominican Republic agriculture, but didn't quite make it. Maybe next time!

This week I am switching places with AJ, and I am doing chores (he had a small surgery and has some stitches to care for). I've done chores before and I used to help outside on the farm. But that was before we had kids. Now, my main chore on our farm is our kids. :) I am excited for our switch, but we also have some cold weather to deal with!

My experience so far has been more challenging that I had imagined. Friday was my first full day of doing chores by myself. Of course, the water tanks were frozen up, and we had a calf die (ironically, On The Banks of Squaw Creek wrote about "sentiment" and "sentimentality" on the farm that day.  Read it, I agree with her!). Friday, I started chores at 8 am and finally finished up at noon. I was exhausted! This morning I went out to do chores at 8 and was back in by 10 (I even had to load the feed truck!). By the end of this, I will be a pro :)

Here are some things that I am learning:

• I need better gloves, stocking hats, socks, and long underwear. It is cold outside.
• I need to lift more weights in the 'off season.' Going in and out of the loader, trying to load a 150 pound calf in the loader bucket, scooping out feed bunks, and crawling over gates has taught me that I'm more out of shape than I thought!
• I need a handkerchief. You can only wipe your nose with your hand and wipe it on your jeans so long before your nose gets sore.
• I need to remember my Bluetooth for questions (and to charge my phone up). This morning I had my Bluetooth and phone charged so when I called AJ with questions I had both hands handy! :)
• I need a better attitude at times. When I was having trouble yesterday, I was getting mad. I'm pretty sure I waste more energy when I get mad. I need to just move on.
• When the weather is windy and cold, chores will take a little longer.

Some cool things about chores:

• The beautiful winter mornings.
• The equipment that I get to use. 
• The calves and pigs :)
• Felfies (Farmer Selfie).  They are the cool thing to do!