The calving season on this farm is nearly finished for this year.  Only 3 calves are being bottle-fed or being weaned from milk to water. Over the winter, our daughter has done the calf chores morning and evening.  With only 3 calves to care for, her dad has picked up that chore.r daughter has done the calf chores morning and evening.  With only 3 calves to care for, her dad has picked up that chore.

Besides the calving, milking has continued to be done twice daily.   The barn has had to be cleaned of manure on a regular basis.  It has been been spread on the fields where it will be useful.  Over winter, plowing snow was required for us to sell our milk.  Without safe passage onto the farm, the milk truck would not pick up our product.  Winter has been busy.

With the lull between winter and spring, other chores take our attention.

• We are making arrangements for the vegetable garden.
• Machinery is being fixed up and made ready for planting season.
• Removing the snow fence, the  downed tree branches and bush scraps from the yard is a big job at this time of year.
• Some pruning of trees and bushes is already done.
• Raking flowerbeds and other leftovers from last year is another seasonal chore yet to be finished.
• Chicks have been ordered.
• Seed corn has been purchased.

With the warmer temperatures, these tasks are almost pleasant.  Yet as the time crunch goes on, diligence is still necessary.  There is more to do to prepare for the heavy jobs to start.  Partnership in the jobs will be a key for facing the busy future  as the season turns.

You might like to learn about bottle-feeding calves from another source.

Here is a card you may enjoy.  It is called “Cat in the Calf Shed”.
photo credit:Wenda Grabau