This makes 6 calves in a row that I haven’t been around to see born. Sometime mid day (I suspect) Marigold had her third calf.

Marigold and her 2010 new born Calf

Here’s a close up of the little heifer calf.

Marigold's 2010 Heifer Calf

Shortly after I took these pictures I helped the calf up and she had a good suck. I think all is well, I’m not completely sure that Marigold’s milk is full coming in, but likely that’s just me being a worried “uncle” (or some such).

The only cow left to calf now is Charlotte, but she won’t be due for several months yet I expect. This given her calf last year wasn’t born until Labour Day (fittingly perhaps). I’m now 1 and 1 on the sexes this year.

My favourite moma cow Squiggy came through again with her fourth calf today. He seems to be a healthy bull calf who was born without any assistance (from me anyway).

First Calf for 2010

After running out of patience for nature I eventually helped him stand up and before long he was enjoying his first meal.

Squiggy's 2010 Calf having his first meal

This first drink is so important because the colostrum has all the antibodies that get the immune system of the calf off and running. Once I’ve seen this happen I’m a lot more confident that everything will work out for the best.

Labour Day lived up to it’s name for our fourth moma cow “Charlotte” (because she’s a Charolais breed) as she gave birth for the second year. Last year, for her first time around, Charlotte had twins, which is quite rare for cows. This year she had a solid little heifer calf.

Charlotte & her 2009 heifer calf

She gave birth completely unattended, perhaps as much because I was a bit late getting down to check on the state of things.

Charlotte & 2009 Calf, early feeding

I can start to breath easier once I’ve seen a new calf have a good feed. The first milk is critical as the colostrum contains anti-bodies to get the new calf’s immune system jump started. One last picture:

Charlotte & Calf settled in

Back June 3rd, Marigold had her second calf:

Marigold's newborn 2009 heifer calf

And later in the day as very much a going concern.

Marigolds 2009 Calf, 8 hours old

Along with Ella and Squiggy’s calves these girls are growing up fast.

4 Moma's & 3 Spring Calves (June 13, 2009)

All of this years calves have been female, after a run that started with 5 male calves.The herd is now up to 13 right now (4 mothers, 4 2008 calves, 4 2009 calves and one bull) and we’ve had 10 successful births.  I’ll have to decide whether to keep any of these calves as future mothers.

All in all, it’s still a little surprising for a guy who’d never been next to a calf in his life until 4 years ago. But as boatbuilder Pete Culler said “Experience starts when you begin”. We decided we would have a small beef farm, so we got started and learned as we went.

This year is turning out to be the year of both surprise calf births, and heifers. As I was driving the tractor around to move the hay feeder there was Squiggy standing near the fence with a new calf alongside!

Squiggy's third calf, born May 15, 2009

From the looks of things she must have been born early this morning.

Squiggy is my friendliest cow and this new calf seems to share her mother’s temperament. The calf is also darned heavy as I was panting hard after carrying it around to the front field (with Squiggy following).

They are now enjoying being in the “Maternity Field” that has fresh grass and is in view from the house.

Squiggy & her calf in the "Maternity Pasture"

One of the joys of farming is you never know what each day is going to bring. Some days like today you really luck out.

Here’s a couple of phone pictures of the new calf, tentatively named “E2″.

Ella's 2009 calf, 5 days old & outside for first time

Yesterday, likely during the afternoon while I was having a late lunch at the cafe, Ella took care of business on herself and delivered a heifer calf.

Heifer calf born May 7, 2009

We didn’t get home till after supper but Ella seemed to have everything in hand. I was concerned that I hadn’t seen the calf suck, and Ella’s teats still looked a bit dirty. It’s important for the calf to get the colostrum in the “first milk” as it contains the anti-bodies to kick start the immune system. I lured Ella into the headlock with some grain, tied one of her hind legs off, and had a go at getting some milk from her. I got a cup or so and tried bottle feeding it, but the calf wasn’t interested. At 1am I gave up.

This morning all seemed well, and I was relieved to see the calf get up and have a feed. So all should be well. The first three days are the most critical.

Ella and her calf born May 7, 2009

Here’s another picture taken this morning. Couldn’t find the digicam last night and the cell phone camera wasn’t up to the job.

I haven’t decided on a name yet. This is our first heifer calf (after 5 males, & 1 female twin who won’t be fertile) so it remains to be determined if her destiny is motherhood or steaks. It will depend on her nature as she develops and the gender of the remaining three (hopefully) calves yet to come.