SO Far Behind- Monday to Thursday

Monday - In an effort to get the cows bred that we haven't managed to catch in heat we started a hormone therapy.  I had written 9 on the list last week and we managed to breed 3 of them before Bruce had time to deal with the list. Those remaining 6 got a shot of prostoglandin and 5 have all shown signs of being in heat and were bred.  As of this morning we have one cow that we still haven't seen anything on yet.  She is a nonconformist by nature.  She has unusual markings for a Holstein cow.  She generally walks up the alley farther than she should and then has to travel back to her stall when she comes in. She is the last cow to back out of her row when it is opened and often waits until the dog suggests she does so.  She is the only cow we use a kicking clamp on because she thinks she should be allowed to use her foot to remove the milker when she wants to.  When Bruce announced this morning she was the last one we weren't exactly surprised.  Because of this she will get a GNRH shot which will get rid of any cysts and then a prostoglandin shot that will hopefully bring her into heat.

Speckles...wonder why she gets called that : )
A kicking clamp puts pressure ahead of a cows leg so its uncomfortable to move it forward.  If she stands still there is nothing uncomfortable about it and it allows us to continue working and not stand guard so she behaves.

Bruce climbed the silo today to figure out what he needs to get the unloader working.  Earlier this spring he replaced the blower housing but chose to do the final adjustments when he let it down to feed.  Since he put heavier bearings in the spacing is slightly different and he will have to have new bushings made tomorrow.  We are lucky enough to have a machine shop within a couple miles.  As long as he is going there he can bring our manure spreader home.  They called last week but Bruce hasn't had time to go get it.

Tuesday - The day started out with a visit from our electrician to check the motor on the mixer.  Lately it has not started like it should, and since it is a critical part of our daily function, Bruce decided to have it checked.  The diagnosis was that the contactor was sticking and needed replacing.  The electrician didn't have it in stock but we do have another motor in the shed as an insurance policy.  This motor fits the mixer and the shell corn harvestore (silo) so they removed the contactor off the spare motor and will replace it when they get it. 

The goats continue to cause trouble.  They go through belly high grass, a new alfalfa field and proceed to the corn field where they are eating our corn.  We have never had a group of goats bother the corn fields in the 10 years we have had these creatures around.  The only good news is they do eat what they knock down, unlike raccoon or cattle that just make a huge wasteful mess.  As always, the dog does not see a problem with this.

Bruce got the new bushings for the silo unloader and also brought our manure spreader home.  It still needs the floor boards screwed down and then it should be ready to go to work.

We have been experiencing absolutely perfect weather with highs in the 70's and lows in the 50's.  The cows are enjoying these cooler temperatures along with near perfect pasture conditions.  All this means our tank numbers have increased.

Wednesday - Bruce chopped the rest of the hay that he had left out in the field to feed cows.  It was very dry so he added 150# of water to their mix.  Today Bruce commented that he didn't get anything accomplished with a neighbor stopping in, a mineral  delivery, milkhouse supplier here and having to pull another neighbor and his tractor home because, as it turned out, the fuel line was plugged from the tank to the filters so it died on the road.  He did bring the steers home and put them in the lower yard since the pasture is pretty much gone for them.  They will be eating out of a feed box until we have a place to start them on their final feed ration. We covered the tomatoes and dahlias for the night with a freeze warning in the forecast.  With the plants over 8 ft tall this was no small project.  Thank heavens for big tarps!

Thursday - With all of the hay chopped, Bruce spent the afternoon getting the silo unloader back together and adjusted. All he needs to do  now is pull the cord and plastic tubing up and it is ready to go.  Our milk hauler, who is building a house, wanted to borrow the post hole auger that goes on the skidsteer so he got that out and ready for him to pick up.  Other than that and goat antics, Bruce was able to do what he needed to do and by this evening the silo unloader is ready to go.