Fancy's Return

Fancy returned to the farm last night.  She "hopped" off the trailer and immediately started to graze.  According to Ben, she had not been able to graze since starting show biz (schools, etc. put harmful chemicals on their grass so she couldn't eat it).  Within minutes she had trotted away from the pens into the eight-acre pasture reuniting with Fria and other friends.  This morning she was grazing with everyone and moved with the group up for breakfast.  If I were to bet, it looks like she has transitioned nicely.  Longer term with everyone else, we'll see....

We have purchased a new ATV.  The Can Am was a beast requiring boat loads of gas and constant servicing.  It was loud and just not a good fit for us.  Our new Landmaster is all electric and has a dealership who will pick it up, service it, and return it.  I won't have to deal with buying the stuff to service it (waiting on back orders, etc), gassing it up, and trying to find a friend or neighbor to do the service. In other words, less headaches for me.  In many ways it's like a golf cart but with more power and amenities like a winch and 4-wheel drive.  It still is not lab friendly, but maybe with a rug or two it'll work for the dogs too.

Peg had her other cataract removed last week.  All seems to have gone well.  It will be good to have her back helping with feeding etc..

The grandkids are all involved in sports of various kinds. Ben with baseball, Beckah with track, Cinco with track, Evie with track, and John Reeve with rodeo.  Their parents are very busy driving and attending their activities.  Peg just punches in an address, and her car takes her to events all over Central Texas.  She has no idea where she's going or where she is BUT the car does and it has not been lost once!  That's what Peg wanted, so she is very pleased with her Tesla purchase.

How Could This Happen?

 Brownie gave birth to Brun in the middle of January, yet she prolapsed a couple days ago!  No reason for this tragedy that we can figure out.  Anyways, the Vet was called, then a trip to another Vet to get the problem resolved.  The big issue was Brun.  He is only 5 weeks old and very much dependent on his mama.  The cervix was reinserted and sutured in place.  Brownie is back at the ranch in the 8 acres away from the bull and other cows.  She does have the company of Fria and a couple steers we are weening so she's not alone.  BUT she is not happy and Brun misses his little calf friends who are in the big pasture. Prolapses typically occur at the birth of a baby, not 5 weeks later....!!!  Brownie's days are numbered which is sad, as she has been such a nice dependable cow.

Hearing reports of a lot of cattle rustling going on around us.  Fifty gone, then 20 more from another ranch...  With prices at auction at or above $3.50 a pound (typical 7-800 lb steer), that's a lot of money for a rancher to loose and rustler to make.  We think (knock on wood) that we are okay because of our location, but who knows...

Very dry here and farmers want to/are working on getting their seeds in the ground.  Prospects for rain are low for the next week but everyone is hopeful for the not too distant future.  

Fancy "placed" in the big livestock show in San Antonio a week ago.  An old colleague of mine won Best In Show!.  I think Houston is next.  Poor Fancy will "age out" of competition so will not be competing next year.  She will have to make lots of adjustments to fit back in with her herd.  No one likes a diva so I'm hopeful she can remember her roots....  

 

Family Of Holidays

We have been concerned about our pregnant heifer Thanksgiving.  She was out in the big pasture and wasn't showing up with the group to eat.  This started about a month ago and she was already showing signs of "fixin' to birth."  The Vet suggested we bring her up to the pens by house to keep an eye on her.  So for the last month we have watched as she got bigger and more "ready" to domino.  Finally this morning, Thanksgiving gave birth to a little Valentines Day baby!  All our worries were relived as baby and mama are doing fine! So Thanksgiving, who was born on Thanksgiving gave birth to a baby on Valentines Day.  We don't know the sex yet but it will be named Valentine (if a heifer) or Val (if a bull).

Waiting on some rain which the farmers are desperate for.  Their seeds go in the ground ideally at the end of February.  My usual complaints about "lots of mud" stands.

Fancy

 I delayed this writing so I could update Fancy's show information.  Last weekend in La Grange, Fancy took another third place at the show.  Then Thursday evening, Fancy Placed 2nd in a show in Leander.  Ben was particularly excited because he won a buckle.  In all other "sports" winners receive trophies but in livestock/rodeo events, buckles are the prize.  Tough both events had few participants, Fancy held her own and looked beautiful!

Today we are dealing with a winter storm.  Lots of hay being moved around and worries over water troughs freezing.  This is not my favorite time of year!!!  As for the cows, they wait for food and hay to be delivered a couple times a day.  They just wait for us to deliver both.  No grazing or making any effort on their parts...  They just wait for "Uber Eats."

   

Lance Is Back With His Girls

There was not a happier bull in the world as when Lance was let back into the pasture with his girls.  He ran with the Can Am towards the gate leaping, twisting, and "yelling" as he learned he was returning!  It was scary! Yep, 2500lbs plus of moving happiness...  The girls for their part were not impressed...

Brillante had her first baby and we name him/her Star.  We don't' know what we have yet, bull or heifer.

Fancy has a show in La Grange next week and one in Leander somewhere.  I was talking to Peg about how she will ever fit in back with the herd after all of her pampering.  Ben bathes her with shampoo and conditioner then brushes and blows her dry. She has no competition for food and basically snoozes all day waiting for him to show up to lay out a couple daily meals. 

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year!

  

Fancy Came In Third

Yes, Fancy Placed in her first appearance as a show girl!!!  She arrived well coiffed and picture of beauty.  During her time in the ring, she wowed judges by her calm demeaner and dazzling looks.  While several of her competitors broke free of their restraints, Ben and Fancy remained positioned for evaluation/competition.  Third Place is an excellent first showing!  Her next show is in La Grange, then on to San Antonio and Houston for the big competitions.  The girls at the ranch are so proud of her!!!

Our brief stint with winter has been cut short by an advanced look at spring.  Temps from now thru Christmas will be in the 70s!

 Red had her baby sometime early this morning, We're not sure whether it's a heifer or bull.  As always, she's just the best mom!

Lance, the bull, is at the end of his separation from his girls!  He's going to be so happy to be back with them!!!  

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all

The Cold Fronts Are Coming Through

 I think we are in Winter now.  We skipped Fall with our extended summer and now it's cold, wet, dark, and gloomy.  Having missed fall, means no color in our leaves which is disappointing.  I like to have some delineation between seasons, but it is not to be this year.

Fancy has her first show sometime next week.  Everyone is speculating that her competition will be the black angus.  If she presents well (which is always a question), I think she might do okay.  All "the girls" here at the ranch are routing for her!!

We went into the barn the other morning and there were two kittens.  They were crying up a storm.  Peg took the lead on feeding them, getting them into a crate, then delivering them to the shelter.  Cats just aren't in our future.....  

I haven't mentioned any new Tesla stories lately....  Peg says she loves the car....  We were talking last night about some feature and I suggested she ask Ara about it.  Peg's comeback was, "I'm not talking to Ara!!"  So I can only assume they are not on speaking terms right now....  AI is factoring into our lives in interesting ways these days....