Bruce started feeding cows this morning and after the first load the switch on the feed cart broke. We always have an extra one of these on the shelf but fixing it added 20 minutes to feeding time. We use an electric feed cart, operated with three 12 volt, deep cycle batteries. It has served us well but randomly, like everything, it needs maintenance. Purchased in 1996 it has fed out approximately 30 20'x60' silo's! Tonight our truck is back on the road, now with a new cap, rotor and ignition coil.
We definitely have signs of spring going on here. There are 3 boxes of parts that have been delivered so Bruce and Ed can fine tune the corn planter. Bruce has been studying the seed literature and has ordered the rest of what he needs. We ordered our corn a few months ago but he was working on something new for the nurse crop for our alfalfa. Historically we have planted barley with it as a protector crop and have harvested the barley as grain in early August. This year our silage reserves are getting a bit lower than we are used to so we need to harvest more forage. The current plan is to plant triticale and forage field peas with the alfalfa and then chop that as silage this summer. I have to say that the peas part makes me nervous. They are great feed but timing is everything. Rain that keeps you out of the field at the time you should harvest.....well, lets see what the summer brings. Bruce spent the afternoon fixing the fence at the other place and getting it ready for animals. It was warm enough he didn't need his winter coat and thoroughly enjoyed the fresh air and the birds singing.
This morning I was thrilled to see the surgery cow was eating everything she should again. Tonight she is running a fever of 104 (normal 101). She is already on antibiotics so Bruce gave her something for her fever and there will be a phone call to the vet in the morning for advice. My sick calf was barely conscious this morning. She got her electrolites and milk through a stomach tube again. When I got home I asked Bruce how the calf was doing, expecting to hear that she didn't make it. Bruce started to laugh and then explained that he gave her electrolites again with a stomach tube because it was faster and then proceeded to climb the silo since it had unplugged itself again. When Bruce came down the calf was standing in front of her hutch! Dealing with sick calves can be frustrating and amazing. The first time I had a calf do that it had been unconscious for 3 days and the next morning was standing there complaining.. That time I felt like I had seen a ghost. Tonight she wasn't up so I fed her again via stomach tube. We will see what tomorrow brings. Tonight we are down to 4 special needs cows since one has passed her drug test and can now be milked into the tank. There are 2 heifers with udders that say it won't be much longer and we will have new calves. They are due 4/13 but they definitely aren't going to wait that long : )
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