Farmerjan's journal - Weather

[farmerjan]

I will be going up to the farm in a little bit and get the heifer in the chute to see if she has a big calf in her. If not, then she must have lost it and she does not have enough udder to put a calf on her now. Sometimes these older dairy cross heifers will fool you. Don't think she is going to calve in the next week, but there is an udder there...

The one we pulled the calf from I am letting dry up and try again . She will go with the next group to get rebred.

The heifer that I don't think is milking that good is a bought heifer. She will go back with the bull, with her calf and get rebred. Most of the time we will give a heifer a 2nd chance to calve and see how she does. Since she is a bought heifer, we have no idea of her background and can't cull because she is from a poor producing family or anything. I don't see any problems with mastitis, big quarters, nor do any of them look like they are 3 teat/dry quarter. So, we will see. She will get a 2nd chance if she breeds back. Sometimes it just takes a little time/age to come into good production. If the next one is not good, she goes.
There are a couple of cows that I have seen more than one calf on. Got one calf that was a twin, that we were bottle feeding. Not that great of a calf, but still. When he got to the point where I was stopping the bottles, and he was eating grain good, I let him out loose so he could get out and "be a calf", not just penned up. He took up with another calf, and then I caught him on the cow when it's own calf was nursing. So he was opportunistic enough to find more milk. She is also a bought cow, and I am not so sure now that maybe she is the momma of the heifer that I saw at the water trough. I have to spend a little more time up there just watching since I haven't gotten any in yet to ear tag. So, if it is her, then both calves will not be great, but since they are starting to come into the creep gate and looking for a little grain, which I am putting out for them, they will come along and catch up. If it is her, then I certainly will not fault her for not doing a super job with her own calf because she has 2 that she is feeding.

Some cows will not let another calf on them, but for the most part, many of our raised up from calves, cows will. I was out to pasture the other day, and there were 2 BIG calves on the same cow, then saw another come up and go on her from the back, so that meant 3 on her. They practically lifted her off the ground butting her and she tolerated it for a bit then moved off. One was her own calf, but the other 2 weren't . Now, they aren't being deprived because their own mommas were right there in the same area of the field. They just are PIGS!!!!! But in that respect, we are lucky because if a calf has enough moxie, there is often a cow that will allow more than one to nurse.

I am going to put some molasses/protein lick tubs in this field for these heifers, although it is not the most "economical" way to feed additional protein and added nutrition, compared to just feeding grain. But it is easier for them to just go after what they want, and sometimes I just can't get "through them" to get the feed into the troughs here before they get to pushing and shoving. Since I just got the heat detectors to put on the ones I want to breed AI, maybe I will do it tomorrow when their hair dry, as they are being brought into the catch pen to get them used to it anyway. There is not enough room for all of them, so, I want to make sure they are all getting a shot at a little extra nutrition this fall. Although we are getting some welcome rain now, the grazing has been dry and not as nutritious as we usually get some fall season grass growth. There just won't be much growth in the grass with the days getting short and the nights getting colder.

Looks like the rain has stopped so I am going to get out and get a few things done. Check the rain gauge and see what we got. We are supposed to get another rain on Tuesday then a couple of dry days, then rain again over the weekend.

Just talked to my son and he turned the cows we moved home yesterday, into the back field near the barn there, with the plans to get them preg checked in a week when the vet can come. So unless she comes to the barn, I won't be getting her in to check. Not what I planned, but not the end of the world.
My son is going up north to see his grandparents, leaving on Wed and coming home on Sun. My father will be getting close to the end of the 90 days in rehab, and will probably be as close to the best he can be, from the effects of the stroke. Don't know what is going to happen after he gets "released" although in a long conversation a week ago, I tried to make the suggestion that he look into an assisted living place where they can both be together with help, so that it will be easier on him and if something were to happen, they would have access to care. He was not all that receptive, so I left it alone.

They still have 24 hr care at home for my mom, and it is costing, and my father got on the money kick again, and I just said that I guess he would have to do what he thought best. He certainly isn't going to listen to me. He constantly complains how this was not how he planned his retirement to be, and I almost said, well, if you had had your knees replaced and retired at 65 or so, then you would be in a lot better shape now.
I did tell him that I planned to have the ankle replaced this coming January, that I was not going to be in agony for the next 20 plus years of my life if they could do something to make it better. He made a comment about surgery, and I said, "look dad, you survived the surgery to do the carotid artery, and came back out of the anesthesia, so being "afraid of not waking up" didn't happen did it? If something goes wrong with my surgery, if I don't survive it for whatever reason, then it is my time to go anyway. I have no control over it. If they can make my next 20-30 years more enjoyable, then I'd be a real dumbazz not to do it. If it goes good, then the knee is next. If that works, then the shoulder is after that." But he put off retirement, and my mom started to deteriorate mentally and then the "retirement" time was way too short. Sadly, he has always been the control freak, and he really thought he was going to "control" his life right up through retirement and all.
Then I look at the 96 yr old lady where we just moved our cows out of the pasture, and except for the debilitating arthritis in her knees, is still very "good" for her age. She also has a positive attitude and her husband has been gone for over 20 years. I just wish there was something that could help her pain from the knees so she could do more things she likes and not hurt so much. I know she is not going to be around forever, I just wish that she had less pain to enjoy her years since she is very cognizant.... and sometimes you wonder why some people linger for years that are "no longer here" mentally. Sad.

 

[Bruce]

You are doing the best you can with your Dad. You are right, he's not going to change. He had his "wake up" call and let the machine take the message.

 

[Mini Horses]

I just wish that she had less pain to enjoy her years since she is very cognizant.... and sometimes you wonder why some people linger for years that are "no longer here" mentally. Sad.

Doesn't seem fair...I know. There may be "something" that would relieve her extreme pain but, at her age, they are often reluctant to do much. She needs to smack them back into their senses!

My mom had one knee "relined" about 20 yrs before she passed. Was supposed to get the other done shortly after first and just "never had time" She was retired! Her husband was fine to be at home alone with self & neighbors to assist him for time needed to do and recover. Stubborn woman! Sooooo, in the end, that first knee was still great -- other one? She couldn't hardly walk for the pain -- even with a walker. Shame!!

Do those repairs while you can and enjoy the improvement.

 

[farmerjan]

Well we had 1.6 inches of rain and it stayed cloudy and grey and dreary all day. Not too cold, got up to 61. Tomorrow is supposed to be partly sunny then cloudy and rain again on Tuesday. Getting the rain/moisture an inch or 2 at a time and not pouring down, with time to soak in, inbetween is really wonderful.

A farm wants to test tomorrow that I wasn't really planning on . They don't test real regular so that is okay. They originally wanted to test morning a couple of weeks ago , then didn't get the corn chopping done, then decided that they would rather test afternoon. I was beginning to give up again because I told them that we could do Sun, Mon or Thurs this week and hadn't heard anything again. But we talked today and he wants to do tomorrow and that'll work. At least I don't have to get up and be there at 3 a.m...... . I will go up and set up early and help him get some of the computer work caught up from several months. I have to call and get an access code since he has gone past the 120 day "limit" allowed between tests. The way I figure it, a few times a year is still better than not at all. . Rather get home later than have to get up so early.

I think I have about "burnt out" of the early morning thing. Had enough of it, after all these years. I like sleeping later.... of course, I find that I don't go to bed as early because I am not as tired, so going to bed later, means getting up later.... it does kinda work on me not getting things done like I want to though. I need to get back into a routine of going to bed earlier, getting up at a decent hour ( not the 3 or 4 a.m. stuff) like 6 or so, and getting on with getting things done.

 

[Baymule]

I am a big believer in "if it is broke, FIX it". My husband suffered for years with his knee and shoulder, in constant pain. His shoulder popped out of socket a couple times a day and I popped it back in. His excuse was that he had to work. Along came retirement and I hauled him to the doctor. He got all kinds of tests, we started with a triple bypass open heart surgery, knee replacement, shoulder replacement, prostate surgery, oral surgery and is having cataract surgery November 18 and December 2. He recently went off his blood pressure medication, it was dragging him down. Now instead of being a sick old man in pain and misery, he is healthy, vibrant, active, happy and feels great. It all was well worth it for him to feel so good now and to be so active.

It will be well worth it for you to take the time now to have the surgery, recovery and therapy, so you can have a HAPPY and PAIN FREE life for the rest of your life. What good is it to have a long life if it is a lousy life?

 

[Bruce]

Too bad he didn't listen to you years ago Bay!

 

[Baymule]

Too bad he didn't listen to you years ago Bay!

Amen to that!

 

[farmerjan]

@Baymule AHEM.....Speaking of ' if it is broke, FIX IT' .... don't you talk about "lurching side to side" when you walk due to your knee(s) ????? Are you one of those "do as I say not as I do" people????.. . But yes, I totally agree with getting things "fixed" if they can be fixed. It took me alot longer than I would have really liked, to find the right doctor that could do what I believed could be done....replace the ankle, not fuse it. And it just made sense to wait a little longer for Medicare to kick in than to have to do a $6,000 deductible that my insurance at work went up to. And if it goes well, the knee is next. That I will probably have done here local in Va, as there is a younger female dr in Charlottesville, that does the quad sparing, and she comes very highly reccommended by a good friends' friend and fellow horsewoman. She was back riding in like 8 weeks..... My chiropractor even said that if I got to the point where replacement looked like it was the only thing that would give me the relief, to try to find someone who does "quad sparing" as they don't cut the muscles or tendons in the knee, but go in from the side to actually put the joint in. Recovery time is supposed to be alot shorter and less painful.

I am pretty proficient on crutches and use a "cane with a little seat" now.... mostly when I am going to be anywhere that I would have to stand and I just can't for very long. It is a cane, with a little seat that folds down with 2 extra legs, to give it stability. It is a lifesaver in the barns for me now. A walker may be in the line up, but there are 3 places in this house where I have to step down, or up, going through a door, like 4-6 inches. A walker won't be much help nor will a knee scooter be as maneuverable in those areas. One reason why I wanted to find somewhere else to go too. Oh well, that isn't going to happen unless I find something REAL QUICK..... So I think that the crutches will be of as much use as anything in many places here in the house. We'll see.

I have looked at the seats and sliding seats for the tub, but none are "high enough" to deal with the taller sides of the claw foot tub. Have found a "seat" that goes across the tub, and I think it may work and have found a smaller "stool" type seat that is narrow enough in the legs, to fit inside it. Neither are real expensive. Haven't been to any "Habitat" stores yet, but I am looking.

Got my farm tested today, but he has a ton of "paper (computer) work to do before I can do the closeout and such for his herd. So, I am going to have to go back there tomorrow for some serious "book work" time. I am not very happy about it as he hadn't done near what he should have in prep for me coming today. The only plus is that he is not testing the heifers he is calving out for another guy, and there are about 100 new ones that will only be there about 60 days. He doesn't want to put them on test and pay for them as this guy deals in milking cows, and I don't blame him. They were in the 3rd group, so I actually didn't have to "stay to the end" which would have been another 1-2 hours.. Plus, then I would have had to wait another 45 min for the wash system so that my meters would be properly washed through all the cycles. This way, he will just run them through the pipeline wash cycles, after the "heifer" group goes through. So I will go up later tomorrow afternoon, get the meters, hopefully get the computer work done without any real snags........ because it has been so long since he last tested there is a ton of "catch up" stuff to put in. Then I will go to the farm that I have scheduled for Wed morning, (@ the miserable hour of 3:30 a.m.) ,and it will be 10 a.m. before I get out of there, and get set up Tues eve and that will give me a little more "morning sleep time".

Of course, it is feast or famine.... have another farm wanting to test Thursday morning. Really... They don't start til 7 a.m. but then I don't get out of there until noon or 1p.m. by the time I get done with their paperwork..... That will kill my day on Thursday.... It is supposed to be sunny on Wed and Thurs of course . Then rain/showers for a couple of days into the weekend..... Only saving grace is that the paycheck will be quite a bit bigger than it normally would have with all these herds on it, as the way it falls, getting paid every 2 weeks, and all these will be on the same check. I will really be aching by Thursday aft and will probably want to just not even move by Fri morning.... Oh well.

I'm yawning now so have to go and get some sleep. Need to take my 2wd ranger in to get the 2 new tires I ordered for the front, put on. Planned to do it tomorrow with the rainy weather.... maybe I will drop off the 2 rims and let them get them mounted and I can stop by the end of the week and have them put them on. Need to set up a front end alignment too so the new tires don't wear "crooked" . These dirt roads, potholes and such, and trips in the pastures don't help to keep it in alignment. . Maybe just make time to get the tires done tomorrow and see if I can get the alignment done the end of the week. (Different place). The local co-op doesn't do alignments but they are the best place for me to get tires and the little things like the oil changed and vehicle greased and they are close.
Got to haul a load of water tomorrow so the calves can drink, the spring is doing a little better, but still not up to full capacity.
Nuts, I am tired just thinking about what I need to do tomorrow.....

 

[Baymule]

@Baymule AHEM.....Speaking of ' if it is broke, FIX IT' .... don't you talk about "lurching side to side" when you walk due to your knee(s) ????? Are you one of those "do as I say not as I do" people????.. .

Yup, that is me. I haven't had insurance since I quit my job to care for my mother after her stroke, when I was 56. Will be 65 next year and can go on Medicare. I looked into ObamaDON'Tcare, for the paltry sum of almost $1,000 a month and a measly TEN THOUSAND DOLLAR DEDUCTIBLE, I could have a crappy policy. I took a pass on that. So in the last 8 years the most I have spent at a doctor was $240 when I was sick enough to need antibiotics. The last time I was sick enough to need antibiotics, I went to the feed store, for $26 I got a bottle of fish antibiotics, took them for 10 days and was good.

Fortunately I am healthy and rarely sick. I do get tired of stabbing pain in my knee. I prayed for relief and most of the pain stopped. I suppose when I am eligible for Medicare, the pain will come back. At any rate, I haven't been lurching around like Queen Drunk lately.

 

[Bruce]

It took me alot longer than I would have really liked, to find the right doctor that could do what I believed could be done....replace the ankle, not fuse it.

I think it is a relatively new procedure. My Dad had it done about 5 years ago and I was surprised they could even do that. Things like hip replacements have been done for a LONG time. My aunt had a congenital issue and had her first replacements when she was in her early 50s so early 1970's. She had 5 total in her life, died at 93 in 2013.