Astro's Final Stop

When Jersey cows calve, you ALWAYS want them to give you heifers.  Heifers will, a couple years later once bred, give you more calves and fresh milk. Heifers also bring more money once you sell them.  Many people want nurse cows for calves on their farm.  Others want to buy them to show them as dairy cows in livestock shows.  Many want a family cow that will become a part of the family.

Jersey bulls are not in demand.  Jersey bulls kill more farmers than any other breed, which is odd because Jersey cows are so docile.  Jersey bulls are good for pretty much one thing - meat.  Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on how you want to look at it, we've had six bulls in a row!  Astro is our Jersey bull that we've had for a couple years.  He was named Astro because he was born on the night that the Houston Astros won Game 6 of the World Series.

It was time for Astro to go to the slaughterhouse.  We made an appointment this past Saturday.  I wish I had a way to weigh him.  I'm not very good at guessing weights, but I'll guess he weighs somewhere between 600 and 650 pounds.

Astro has been grass fed in our pasture in the "bull pen."  The quality of the grass will be dropping soon as the grass goes to seed.  We wanted to get him off while he is still in great condition.

We coaxed him into the cattle trailer with a bucket of sweet feed.  He jumped right in and it went easier than expected.

Now, I know what you may be thinking - How can you eat a pet?  Well, once Jersey bulls are born on our farm, from day 1 we know that they are not pets - they are food.  While it isn't easy to bring them to slaughter, we give them a good life, treat them with dignity, and take care of them.  It still isn't an easy thing to do, but let's be real.  It is foolish to raise him, sell him to someone else to butcher and then go buy meat at the store.  That makes no sense at all.  He's grass-fed.  No hormones.  No antibiotics.  No medicated feed.  All natural.

Once loaded up, we made a twenty minute drive to Morse, Louisiana.  Back in the old days, many communities had their own slaughterhouses.  They are few and far between now.  Elliott's Slaughterhouse is out in the middle of the country, surrounded by rice fields and crawfish ponds.

Elliott's does a really good job.  We've used them time and again.

We backed the trailer next to the gate.  The trailer is in bad need of a paint job.  It was my grandfather's trailer and is a 1978 model.  While it may not be aesthetically pleasing, it's still going strong.  I will try to prime and paint it once the weather gets more pleasant.

We got Astro unloaded and said goodbye.

Elliott's was jam packed with people on this Saturday morning.

It is a very small place and we actually had to wait until some customers left before we could fit inside.

We were the only ones dropping off a live animal.  Most customers inside were buying fresh cut steaks, ground meat in bulk, pork chops, smoked sausage, etc.  Meat doesn't get much fresher than this. 

We were given a cut sheet and began explaining what cuts we wanted.  We want half ground meat and the other half cut into steaks, roasts, brisket, ribs, tenderloin.

We'll get an assortment of T-bone, ribeyes, round and seven steaks.  We also want all of the 'debris,' except for kidney.  I don't do kidney.  We want the bones and the fat.  That's one thing you never think of, but when you bring an animal in for slaughter, you can get everything except the "moo."  They will dry age the meat for two weeks and then will package it all up and call us and we'll go pick it up.  Lots of fresh meat for the freezer...  And we have two more bulls growing in the pasture for next year's supply of meat.

Water Everywhere!

The water trough in the bull pen has been a source of trouble for us lately.  First, the baby goats have been sticking their heads through the 4X4 hogwire to drink water and have been getting their heads stuck in the fence due to their horns.  Tricia was having to go out several times a day to rescue the goats.  They aren't very bright.  They wouldn't learn a lesson.  Using a chicken wire frame that was part of an old brooder and a rusty piece of corrugated tin, I built a temporary barrier that has kept the kids out of the bulls' water trough and thus, out of trouble.

Just when I thought I had it all figured out, I come home to what you see above.  Nope, it didn't rain.  The bull named Astro (because he was born on the night that the Astros won game 6 in the World Series),used his head to knock the float valve out of the trough.  The float valve is fastened to the trough with some wing-nut bolts.  After the bull drinks, the water automatically fills until the float valve closes and stops the water flow.  Bulls are notorious for rubbing their heads on everything and apparently he rubbed on the float valve until it was loosened.  Then he hit it with his head until it was laying on the ground with the water running wide open.  All day long!

We weren't home today as we were moving Benjamin into his college dormitory.  When we came home, we found this.  The water must have run all day as the pasture is flooded all the way to the fence toward the south and west.  I hate to see our water bill this month!  I quickly put the valve assembly back on the trough to stop the water.

Astro stood there in the mud seemingly proud of his handiwork.  I was not too impressed.

Bulls are just a nuisance to have on our little pasture.  When they get this age, they begin using their heads to destroy anything in the pasture.  Unfortunately, this also means us!  They will come up to us, lowering their heads and will push us or hit us.  Today while putting the float valve on the trough, Astro came up behind me and rammed me with his head.  I had to hit him in the nose to make him stop.  Then I yelled for Tricia to distract him by feeding him some sweet feed so that I could re-affix the valve to the trough.  We not only have Astro, but we have Aussie and Clarabull.  Astro's mischief today made me all the more determined to go ahead and get an appointment scheduled for him at the slaughterhouse.

We were previously waiting until the quality of the grass diminishes before sending him, but I believe we'll go ahead and take him.  He's plenty fattened up.  Then we'll move Aussie and Clarabull into the 'bull pen' and wean them both.

Ain't no fence strong enough...

Ain't no mountain high enough, aah

Ain't no valley low enough

Ain't no river wide enough

To keep me from you

Yes, those were Diana Ross' words in one of her famous songs.  Barriers are no obstacle at all when the love bug bites.  We learned this just this past week.  We had noticed that Rosie (our oldest Jersey cow) had come into heat.  It becomes evident because all of the cows begin jumping on one another.  Hormones are running high at this time and it is a good thing that we keep our bull, Astro, in what we call the bull pen.

We keep him away from the momma cows because we don't want him breeding them.  We are keeping him until the end of the summer and we'll bring him to the butcher shop to replenish our freezer with fresh grass fed beef.  This pen we keep him in borders the pasture and is largely made of hog wire topped with a strand of barbed wire.  It is strong and an effective barrier.

There is one area we call the 'chute' that connects the bull pen to the barn and corral.  It is made up of cattle panels that are stapled into 4 x 4 posts and reinforced with t-posts in the middle of the 16 foot span.  It is strong, too.  

A while back Tricia told me that Buckwheat, the buck, had been rubbing on the cattle panels.  Goats are notorious for rubbing themselves on fences.  Tricia mentioned that the goat's rubbing had loosened the panel from the 4 x 4s.  I meant to fix it.  I really did.  But I was distracted and never quite got around to it.

Well last week we were about to do chores and I looked out at the cows in the pasture with their calves.  Something seemed out of place.  There were too many animals out there!  I asked Tricia, "Does it look to you like Astro, the bull, is with the other cows?"  The answer was "yes."  Oh no!  I ran out to the pasture and watched with dismay as Astro mounted Rosie.  Not good.  After closer inspection, I could see that Astro had pushed open the panel where the goat had previously loosened it and squeezed on out to join the ladies.

I led Rosie into the bull pen with Astro closely following behind.  Then I led her out, leaving Astro in the bullpen.  He is getting to be a big fellow, and there was no fence high enough to keep him from his love.

I got a hammer and some more staples and fixed the fence.  I should have done that weeks ago.  Sometimes due to competing priorities, pressing jobs get pushed back until it's time (or past time) to get them done.  Do you ever do that?  It didn't take long to fix.  I may even come back and reinforce it further with some tie wire.  But that reminds me of the old quote about "closing the barn door after the horse is already out."

If what we observed did indeed take place, Rosie may be calving again in March 2020.  Astro is not her calf and he is A2/A2, so it is not the end of the world, but we were trying to introduce some new genetics into our little herd.  We've marked the date and will watch Rosie to see if she comes back into heat in about 21 days.  We will keep you posted on Rosie and if she's pregnant.

As I think of the power of love, I think of another song about barriers being insufficient in keeping love apart.  This one a duet by Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn:

Hey, Louisiana woman, Mississippi man

We get together every time we can.

The Mississippi River can't keep us apart

There's too much love in the Mississippi heart.

Too much love in this Louisiana heart.

The power of love can make one leap over fences or rivers or mountains.  Speaking of leaping, we made a leap in this blog post - from Motown to Classic Country.  

Showing Clarabelle

On Saturday morning we woke up early and got the morning chores done and then drove to Lake Charles for the Southwest District Livestock Show.  Benjamin would be showing Clarabelle and the show started promptly at 8 am.  We had to get to the barn earlier to feed, hay and water her and to re-groom her. Cows have a propensity to lie in their own poop overnight.  We checked the judging sheets to learn that Jerseys would be showing last. 

Clarabelle's udder was full of milk and began to drip, but we can't put Astro, her little bull calf, on her until the show was over.  Her bag was tight and she moo'd a little bit for Astro as Benjamin walked Clarabelle to the arena.  Tricia spoke calmly to Clarabelle to relax her.  It is important, especially in Showmanship, that the animals are well-behaved.

Benjamin chatted with his Dairy Showing buddies to pass the time while the Holsteins, Ayrshires, Brown Swiss, Guernseys, and AOB and Commercial showed.  Running around having a good time during the shows and missing school are a couple things I fondly remember about the shows when I was younger.

Finally, it was time to get in the ring.  The judge surveyed the animals and paced back and forth in the Jersey Division...

He did the same thing in the Showmanship Competition, except this time he judged the exhibitor.  The judge is always helpful and gets on the microphone and gives praise and constructive criticism to make everyone better.

In the end, Benjamin won Reserve Champion Louisiana Bred Jersey and second place in his Showmanship age division.  We had him pose with Clarabelle and his rosettes for a picture. 

The shows are fun, but they tend to be long days.  We weren't released until almost 8 pm that night.  Clarabelle and Astro took advantage of the "down time" and rested.

Astro was doing what I wanted to do.  Z-Z-Z-Z-Z.....

When released, we loaded the animals up and got them home around 9:15 pm, unloaded them, and unpacked all the showing supplies.  This weekend we travel to Gonzales, Louisiana for the State Livestock Show.

2018 Southwest District Livestock Show and Rodeo

The calendar flipped over to February and once again, that time of year for the livestock shows.  After showing in the Parish show, we brought Benjamin to the Southwest District Livestock Show & Rodeo in Lake Charles.  We brought Clarabelle and her little bull calf, Astro, so we wouldn't have to milk Clarabelle while at the show.  The weather proved to be as it usually is for the shows - cold, wet, and grey.

On Thursday, we got Clarabelle and Astro settled into the barn with the other Jefferson Davis Parish exhibitors and families and then got her all washed up, fed, and watered.  The day wasn't over, though.  Thursday night is Exhibitor Night in which all the kids showing livestock get free tickets to the rodeo.  We always like to go.  It is Americana at its finest - an opening prayer, Old Glory being ridden into the arena by a pretty cowgirl on a horse.  Funny thing, I didn't notice a single person kneeling during the Anthem.

We like all the events, but one that stands out to me is the Calf Scramble.  This is where they turn a bunch of 4-H exhibitors loose on an arena containing 20 wild calves.  The object of the event is that the kids are to catch a calf, put a halter on it, and push, pull or drag it into a square roped off in the center of the arena.  Actually, many of the kids are the ones being dragged by the calves!  The first three exhibitors to do so win $1,000 that they are to use to purchase an animal to show next year.  Here is a photo of the first exhibitor that got an animal into the square.  Good for him!
 

The final event of the night is always bull riding.  I say it every year, "These guys are crazy."  For the life of me, I can't see what would entice someone to get on the back of a bull weighing between 1,200 - 2,000 pounds and try to ride him for 8 seconds. 

While a few ride the bulls, many get thrown into the air and into the dirt.  It is then that the equally crazy clowns save their lives by placing themselves between the fallen cowboy and the angry bull.



Benjamin had the opportunity of walking out on the arena floor during the middle of the rodeo and be recognized for his achievements showing Clarabelle.  Tricia and I were very proud!

Back when I was showing, they had what they called a "Parade of Champions" in which exhibitors got to walk out all the champion and reserve champion livestock.  I think they changed this somewhere along the line so that it is only the kids (and not the animals with them) that walk out to be recognized - probably that it made the rodeo last too long.

Before the rodeo, many of the people that attend walk across to where the animals are located with their kids and grandkids and view the animals.  We let the kids pet the livestock and talk to them about the projects.  Many adults rekindle old memories of milking cows, raising pigs, showing sheep or beef cattle and re-connect with their past.  The livestock show, while being a LOT of work, is a LOT of fun, too!

"Gastro" From Astro

Disclaimer: If you are eating breakfast while you're about to read this and find that talk about poop is repulsive, you may want to put this to the side for a while and read this while you aren't eating.

Astro is Clarabelle's little bull calf that was born last Tuesday.  He's just a little guy, and we want to make sure that he is getting adequate nutrition.  He is Clarabelle's first calf and although she does show motherly instincts, we wanted to check on him.  He is very secretive about when he nurses on her and we've only seen him nursing a few times.

Yesterday evening I brought Clarabelle into the barn to give her some dairy ration mixed with alfalfa.  Little Astro was following her into the barn and suddenly stopped and arched his back.  Yep, you know what is coming...

With one look, I knew that Astro was fine.  He has gotten a good start from Clarabelle's colostrum.  Can you see how that was confirmed?  If not, I'll zoom in.  (Please forgive me)

That nasty looking yellow, slimy poop looks odd.  It looks like he must be sick, but he's not.  Actually, it is just the opposite.  He's healthy and has gotten a good belly-full of Clarabelle's colostrum or first milk.  Colostrum is a special thing that mammals produce just prior to delivery.  It is full of antibodies to give the calf a good head-start in protecting against disease.  It also is higher in protein than milk.  It is vitally important for the calf to nurse and get the colostrum within 6 hours of delivery and definitely within 12 hours.  The cow will continue producing colostrum for about 72 hours and then the milk comes in.

There are numerous benefits for humans to drink colostrum, so we always capture some for us to drink.  We have several quarts of it in the fridge now.  I find that it does not taste as good as milk and has an "oily" consistency or mouth-feel.  Sometimes we freeze some so that if we ever have trouble with a calf unable to nurse, we could thaw it out and bottle feed the calf.  Astro's yellow poops are the evidence that we needed to prove that he got the colostrum he needed from Clarabelle and that he'll grow and be a healthy bull calf.

Go Astro!

Clarabelle, our Jersey heifer, was expecting her first calf on November 4th.  I checked on her yesterday afternoon and came in and told Tricia and the boys that I thought she may calve before November 1st.  We ate supper and then watched the Astros playing game 6 in the World Series.  At about 11:30 pm I walked outside to check on Clarabelle with a flashlight.

What a surprise greeted me!  Clarabelle had given birth to a baby calf.

I lifted a leg to check out the calf's "under-carriage" and saw that he had 'male equipment.'  We always hope for a heifer, but it's okay.  We figured it was only fitting since he was born during the World Series to give the little guy the name, "Astro!"  As I was watching, he struggled to his feet and stood for the first time.  I took that to mean that the Astros were going to win Game 7 (and they did!)

This morning it was raining, but Clarabelle was licking him and taking care of him.

We also checked to ensure that Astro was nursing on Clarabelle to get the colostrum which is so important to his health, strength, and growth.  He was getting colostrum as Rosie and her little bull looked on from the next pasture.

Astro was shivering, trying to stay warm in the rain so Tricia took him and Clarabelle into the barn where he was able to dry off somewhat and get warm.

As we let him out of the barn, Rosie's bull calf (who was born on September 11th) introduced himself to his cousin, the new kid on the block.

Daisy and Luna are also pregnant.  Hopefully they'll give us heifers.  Regardless, it is always an exciting time when baby calves hit the ground.