Wading through calves

Calves don’t know how to drive. You have to literally push them sometimes.

Spring is finally here. The cows and calves have to go through the chute to be “worked” before turn-out.

Pushing calves into the barn.
Bringing the cows up the alley and into the tub.

First the cows and calves have to be separated into different pens. Then we start on the cows.

Each cow goes through the tub and alley system into the chute. She is vaccinated with a pre-breeding dose of ViraShield 6 VL5HB to prevent Vibrio, 5 strains of Lepto, L. HarjoBovis, BVD, PI3, and BRSV. She is also dewormed with Long Range, vaccinated for pinkeye, and given a dose of MultiMin.

Then it’s on to the calves.

Lane watches the big boys push calves up to the calf table. He can’t wait until he is big enough to help them.

Calves received their vaccinations. They get 20/20 Vision 7 which covers pinkeye and 7 strains of Clostridium (blackleg), and they get Pyramid 5 plus Presponse which covers IBR, BVD, PI3, BRSV and 2 strains of pasteurella . Calves are also dewormed with Long Range. We band the bull calves and vaccinate for tetanus. All calves are ear notched and the notch is tested to identify Persistently Infected BVD calves (PI).

The boys took a break from pushing calves and worked the chute.
Jayce and Drake learned to band the bull calves and Tayten gives vaccinations.
Brandi stopped by and Justine put her to work notching the calves.
Relaxing on the fence. Notice the phone in Jayce’s hand. Can’t get away from the phones!
Worked and headed back out. In a week or two, depending on the weather, we will haul them out to their summer pastures.

Until next time!

Don’t forget to shut the gate!