New faces in the herd….
Apr 4, 2024 10:58:19 GMT -5
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Kelsey, rosalind, and 9 more like this
Post by Applelonia on Apr 4, 2024 10:58:19 GMT -5
The herd has changed over the last several months….made the hard decision to butcher one of the cows on the “keep” list little over a month ago …one I thought I’d have until old age. Getting tired of butchering. A few Randalls that don’t fit the long term direction of the herd that I’ve been on the fence with butcher/sell …hopefully things will work out with the potential buyer and soon they will be going to join a large herd of Randalls being used to raise and sell specialty beef. A very good fit for them.
Another change have been the new faces around the farm ….The Lord has blessed us with Ivory, Peppermint and Dorsett Golden! 🙂
Their personalities and individual uniqueness are such a joy to experience!
Ivory is a social butterfly and LOVES people! One of the most happy, bouncy heifers I’ve had. Oh and she’s a talker …such a sweet girl….
Peppermint is a spit fire …by day two I told her, “Pepps you are so much like your father!” She has inherited Little Guy’s level of self confidence! She struts around hoping all will see her grandeur. No question she fancies herself as head cow material! Peppermint will have another month or two of this high opinion until she joins the herd …Peatrice will quickly squash her dreams.
Dorsett Golden ~ she is named after the apple variety Dorsett Golden ~ to carry on “Dor” in her maternal line that goes back for four generations with “Dor” in the name …and also a nod to Applelonia and her line like her granddaughter Honeygold …apple names.
Dorsett is turning out to be quite fascinating …she has strong reservations towards people - she doesn’t care for people and doesn’t want be near people …she stays back and watches them closely - sniffing and observing from a distance. She has bonded with me…I am her person. I love this about Randalls…some form a very strong, loyal, protective bond with their person - it reminds me more of a dog like bond with their owner/handler than a cow human relationship. She wants to by my side like Velcro - she runs and plays outside and then will circle round me to stand with her shoulder gently pressing against my side. She comes looking for me and softly moos calling me to come. I also think it’s the working - oxen traits that some Randalls come by naturally and they very strongly form this bond with their person and to want to be side by side. She studies my eyes and facial expressions…carefully listening intently as I talk to her. Peatrice and Applelonia are/were like this …too early to tell, but if this bond with Dorsett continues it will be a fascinating experience and the stories we will have ….
I always say my partings and goodnights to the cows…I’ve never had one that it’s harder to say goodnight to than Dorsett. She never wants me to leave …she would stay and listen to hours of my ramblings about the day, thoughts on life, politics, religion….doesn’t matter the topic she just wants to listen.
And some not so new faces! Always a little bittersweet when they no longer are calves…so quickly they become young heifers …
Whiskey….
Rummie…..
Basswood…..
And Francy …yawning …living the good life of ease and comfort 😊….I strive for no stress in her life!
I tell her she can reduce her milk production….we are 943 days into her extended lactation…I keep checking her cultures and SCC with the lab routinely all clear and SCC last two checks low twenties and low teens ….she’s been going in the opposite direction….instead she’s been increasing her volume in preparation for spring …I would love to keep milking her for years ~ only time will tell ….she has been an absolute blessing from The Lord….not a day….not a milking passes that I’m not grateful and thankful to still have her in my care 💕 Through all the changes within the herd and a number needing to be butchered, God as graciously given this gift of continuity…France’s face is one I pray I will see in the herd for many years….
Another change have been the new faces around the farm ….The Lord has blessed us with Ivory, Peppermint and Dorsett Golden! 🙂
Their personalities and individual uniqueness are such a joy to experience!
Ivory is a social butterfly and LOVES people! One of the most happy, bouncy heifers I’ve had. Oh and she’s a talker …such a sweet girl….
Peppermint is a spit fire …by day two I told her, “Pepps you are so much like your father!” She has inherited Little Guy’s level of self confidence! She struts around hoping all will see her grandeur. No question she fancies herself as head cow material! Peppermint will have another month or two of this high opinion until she joins the herd …Peatrice will quickly squash her dreams.
Dorsett Golden ~ she is named after the apple variety Dorsett Golden ~ to carry on “Dor” in her maternal line that goes back for four generations with “Dor” in the name …and also a nod to Applelonia and her line like her granddaughter Honeygold …apple names.
Dorsett is turning out to be quite fascinating …she has strong reservations towards people - she doesn’t care for people and doesn’t want be near people …she stays back and watches them closely - sniffing and observing from a distance. She has bonded with me…I am her person. I love this about Randalls…some form a very strong, loyal, protective bond with their person - it reminds me more of a dog like bond with their owner/handler than a cow human relationship. She wants to by my side like Velcro - she runs and plays outside and then will circle round me to stand with her shoulder gently pressing against my side. She comes looking for me and softly moos calling me to come. I also think it’s the working - oxen traits that some Randalls come by naturally and they very strongly form this bond with their person and to want to be side by side. She studies my eyes and facial expressions…carefully listening intently as I talk to her. Peatrice and Applelonia are/were like this …too early to tell, but if this bond with Dorsett continues it will be a fascinating experience and the stories we will have ….
I always say my partings and goodnights to the cows…I’ve never had one that it’s harder to say goodnight to than Dorsett. She never wants me to leave …she would stay and listen to hours of my ramblings about the day, thoughts on life, politics, religion….doesn’t matter the topic she just wants to listen.
And some not so new faces! Always a little bittersweet when they no longer are calves…so quickly they become young heifers …
Whiskey….
Rummie…..
Basswood…..
And Francy …yawning …living the good life of ease and comfort 😊….I strive for no stress in her life!
I tell her she can reduce her milk production….we are 943 days into her extended lactation…I keep checking her cultures and SCC with the lab routinely all clear and SCC last two checks low twenties and low teens ….she’s been going in the opposite direction….instead she’s been increasing her volume in preparation for spring …I would love to keep milking her for years ~ only time will tell ….she has been an absolute blessing from The Lord….not a day….not a milking passes that I’m not grateful and thankful to still have her in my care 💕 Through all the changes within the herd and a number needing to be butchered, God as graciously given this gift of continuity…France’s face is one I pray I will see in the herd for many years….