Two Days In One

While we milked yesterday morning Bruce gave our last DA cow a shot of heifer calm so we could remover her stitches.  The drug only lasts about 20 minutes but while it's working the animals are very calm and relaxed, almost tired looking.  We were able to remove all of her stitches and lance a spot in the bottom of the incision so the area could drain.  This worked extremely well but we suspect it will have to be opened once more so the area drains completely.  In any case she should heal much faster now with that drained.  After breakfast we managed to get the blood samples taken for pregnancy checks.  I sent in 20 samples, many from first breeding's but I also like to do a second confirmation later in a pregnancy before we dry the cows up.  If I get them in the mail on Monday or Tuesday I would have had the information this week, but since it was Wednesday I won't expect results via email until Tuesday next week at the earliest.  When we were done taking the samples from the heifers in the lower building we sorted out the 6 steers that need to be started on their fed steer ration.  Bruce was able to get them into the pen in the barn but, as always, there was a detour in his plans.  The gates in the back of our barn were built from oak boards probably 30 years ago.  Bruce decided to replace the bottom board on the gate which had rotted and the nails had rusted off. That simple project then turned into replacing a couple other parts in the process.  Eventually he gave up on totally finishing the project and chained a corral panel  gate in its place for the time being. The last couple cows that freshened passed drug tests yesterday so we were pleased to only have 1 special needs cow to deal with.  We still are bleaching milkers between some cows since, for some reason, our culture results are taking longer than normal.  We are at least able to milk them into the tank now which translates into income!  Last night when we were milking, one of the heifers that is due next week was pretty restless, kicking at her belly with her back feet and randomly seeming to strain.  We assumed she was just starting to have her calf at that point.  Bruce checked on her at midnight and she wasn't doing anything but eating.  I checked the camera at 2 and  there was nothing going on.  This morning when we were milking she was still doing these things so Bruce put on a breeding sleeve and checked her.  There was no dilation at all and he questioned a uterine torsion so we called  for a vet check.  We both had appointments in town and the vet arrived as we left.  We came home to find a note that said he pulled the heifer calf and all was well so we aren't exactly sure what her earlier symptoms were but we are glad they are both fine. "Pulling the calf" is basically assisting with the birth by holding tension on the front legs with obstetrical chains while the cow pushes.  This helps her make progress faster and not have to work so hard.  Tonight the heifer is eating and doing her thing as if nothing happened and we have a very small heifer calf with lots of spunk and personality!  Very entertaining
: )