Calving Season Begins!

Calving season has started on the McNeal Family Farms. Our first calf was born most likely in the evening of Valentines day. I must admit this is about 2 weeks earlier than usual, however we breed our cows with our own bulls, so to know down to the very day is hard. The first little guy (or gal) was born with out fanfare. In fact, he (she) has such a good Momma, we haven't gotten close enough to see just yet. Soon however (hopefully before a dozen others are born) my farmer or father in law with catch the little one and tag him (her) to match his Momma. 

Here is a picture of twin calves with their Momma from last spring. You can see the ear tags as well.

We use etchable ear tags, as well as plain ones that we write on with a permanent marker type. Placing the ear tags is the same as getting one's ears pierced. It hurts the calves no worse than it does a baby whose mom has its ears pierced. We use the tags to match calf to cow to prevent mix ups. Once there are 80+ calves frolicking around its difficult to tell who belongs with whom. 

I enjoy calving season. It is a joy to see new life born daily and grow and play. However, we always keep in mind these cattle are not all pets. Each calf that is born is a member of our farm, and is there to contribute as such, just as we contribute to it as well. Some of the heifers we save back and add to the heard to help replace older cows, as well as saving back a bull at times. Most of our calves will be weaned this fall and sold at the sale barn, where feed lots buy, or other ranchers buy who wish to enlarge their own herds. We work hard to keep them healthy, happy and as stress free as we can while they are on our farm. We respect our animals.

I hear many horror stories that are being told through social media, television, and all over the internet that all farms are bad. That farmers are out for money alone and care nothing for our animals. This simply is just not true.  In fact, I'll share the story of Midnight. Midnight is a 1400lb cow. She was my husband's show heifer when he was a child. To this day, she allows the grand kids to sit on her back. She likes to sneak up behind you and lean on you until your give her a good scratch. She is stubborn and demanding, but we still care for her. I ask this if an animal is abused, or neglected do they hold affection for the one who has inflicted this on them? I think not. Our animals trust us because we respect them and their role on the farm. We do not take lightly the fact that many times our animals sacrifice their lives to feed not only us, but our neighbors, our families, and people all around the world. We take pride in the care we give our animals. We hurt too when they suffer, we farmers are the ones up every two hours during calving season to check on the cows to make sure they are safe and not having trouble dropping their calf. We bring their calves in from the blizzard and let them rest in the warmth of blankets in the mud room of our very homes. We spend 3 hours a day hauling hay to feed them in the winter. We pay for the 3000+ gallons of water that is hauled to provide for them now that wells are dry. We sacrifice daily to provide for the good of the animals, crops, and for the consumers. Many people do not understand that if we did not sacrifice buying a new car we would not have the ability to move hay for our cattle. If  we did not sacrifice the time spent with family a calf may lose it's life to hypothermia in a snow storm. If we did not sacrifice our sleep a first time mother may die in agony having her calf if we did not help her. If we did not sacrifice a yearly summer vacation there would be no wheat harvested that us used in the food you eat. That if we did not sacrifice birthday parties the soybeans may not be sown, the ones that make up some of the plastics of the containers that are in your cabinets.

Wheat harvest on our home place.

I plead only this. Share with your families and friends. Encourage them to see all sides of a story. Read the book, don't just look at the cover. You may be surprised at what you find is really true.