December 21, 2004
The last calf to be born until next March
This morning when I arrived at the barn one of the first things I did was check on the heifer we had in one of the maternity pens. We had been keeping Sunflower in the past couple of nights since her due date was the 17th of December, and we didn't want to risk her having the calf out in the freestalls during the night. I was delighted to find a wobbly, still wet heifer calf in the pen with her mom! It's good that mom and baby were inside. The temperature outside was -14 degrees F.
Sunflower's heifer calf was the last calf to be born until next March. For the last few years we have stopped breeding our cows from March 1 to mid-June so that we don't have any cows calving from early December until late March. We did this mainly for two reasons. One, it puts a lot of stress on the cow calving during the winter months. She is more apt to have problems after calving. Two, it is harder to get a calf off to a healthy start druring the winter months, too. By not calving during these months, it makes life easier on EVERYBODY!!
Now we just have to think of a name for the baby girl. Noel might be nice in honor of the season. Or maybe Frosty because she was born on such a cold morning. Her nose is not red enough to be called Rudolph.
--Jonathan, Howmars Farm
Franklin, Vermont
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Posted by Blogger Chris at December 21, 2004 11:23 AM
I saw the pic in the Night Before Christmas picture. She looks like a Holly to me. Do you have anyone named Holly?
how about naming her Emily? Now there's a good solid name for the new calf. You'll never forget it that's for sure! Maybe I can come and visit her someday.
Emily Bonette
PS My grandkids would be thrilled at the prospect.
To the Howmars Herd:
Congratulations on the birth of the new baby! It's always auspicious to have a new life at the Solstice (possible name?).
Wishing you and yours a happy holiday season
Rose (from sunny San Diego, CA-we run our dogs at the beach on Christmas day!)
I just wanted to second the thanks for the Bugle. My two children and I eagerly await each update. They are learning alot about what goes into putting milk in their cups!
Rachel (and Abby and PJ)
How about Poinsettia? Her mom is named Sunflower, so why not stick with a flower name for her baby? Whatever you choose, I'm certain it will be most appropriate! Happy Holidays to you and the cows!
Hi, "Noel" sounds good to me. Most baby animals do better if born in spring even baby chicks, at least in my experience.
Wishing you and your family a blessed Christmas and Happy New year.
Hope you keep writing the blog.
Helen
It's so nice to have a baby in the Holiday Season. Once I had a filly born on Easter Morning. I called her Maranatha Angel "Angel" for short. Her personality developed more into a little devil though. I'm sure you'll name her appropriately. Blessings to you all.
Maybe GRACE would be a good name.
HOW ABOUT BLESSING? WISHING YOU AND YOURS A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY!
Jonathan Gates reports from Howmars Farm in Franklin, Vermont.