March 09, 2005

A sad day as two animals leave the farm

It was a sad day today. Two animals left the farm today, each under very different circumstances, and each one left a sad feeling in our hearts. Louella, a 7-year old cow, died over the weekend and she was picked up by a rendering service. The other animal, Manny, a 2-year old steer, was picked up by Brault's Slaughterhouse.

Louella lost a week-long battle with mastitis that became toxic and eventually killed her. I treated her for several days, with her condition holding fairly steady. But on Saturday morning I could see she had taken a turn for the worse. Dr. Peter Averill, my former college classmate, came to check her later that morning and we gave her fluids, electrolytes, and a painkiller intravenously. I was to treat her again that evening, but, sadly, she had passed away before we were done afternoon milking.

Manny, the first Jersey steer we raised for our beef business, had his number come up today. He had been a very friendly fellow, and I was sad to see him go. Noah was teary-eyed when he heard that Manny was going today. Brault's was here before the end of morning chores to pick him up. He was a good boy and went on the truck with no trouble at all. I tried to console Noah with the fact that Manny had lived to the age of 2 on our beautiful, organic farm, while most bull calves born here on the farm are sold the day after they are born. I don't think I made him feel much better.

I guess in a way I'm glad that when one of our animals leaves the farm, no matter what the circumstances, we feel a little sad. I think this means that we connect with our animals in way that farmers on very large dairies with hundereds or thousands of animals, can't. Connecting with your animals, and with the land you farm, is what organic farming is all about.

Winter Beard.jpg--Jonathan, Howmars Farm
Franklin, Vermont


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Posted by Blogger Chris at March 9, 2005 07:18 PM
Comments

give Noah a hug from me---connecting is painful, but I wouldnt have it any other way--it tells us we ARE being caretakers on this earth--God bless--mamabert

Posted by: Roberta at March 10, 2005 03:28 PM

I enjoy each and every one of the stories you share with readers. However, the "Sad Day as Two Animals Leave the Farm" put the heart into farms operated by families and not corporations.

Thank you.
Sandra in Huffman, TX

Posted by: Sandra at March 10, 2005 03:21 PM

Hi, I was always a bit sad when one of the animals we had died or was sold. You have a good philosophical view about connecting with our animals.Thanks for taking the time to write in spite of your busy day. Helen

Posted by: Helen at March 10, 2005 03:23 AM

I really enjoy hearing about the latest adventures of life on an organic dairy farm...it means a lot to some of us living in a city that there are families out there doing what you do and doing it so well. Your work is fantastic and is really appreciated!!

Posted by: Marcia Michael at March 10, 2005 12:18 AM

I am sorry to hear of Louella's passing. Every time an animal dies, I always feel guilty because I think I should have done something differently. You too, perhaps are thinking along those lines. On the other hand, Manny is an example of why I talked my ex into raising nothing but brood sows. Every animal is a family member to those of us who truly care. Maybe you could just raise breeding stock beefers and not carry such heavy hearts. Blessings

Posted by: Paula Fougere at March 9, 2005 10:38 PM

I am a very old lady who really appreciates what you do and how you feel.
Those snow scene pictures were magnificent. I'm jealous. We didn't have one snow flake this winter - if we did I missed it.
HD

Posted by: Helen Dasher at March 9, 2005 08:59 PM