Working a Calf

I try to keep up with working calves so that each is vaccinated, castrated, and ear tagged within a day or two of being born.

Gail manages to look horrified.

Her little guy isn't real happy about being on the end of my rope either.

No! I don't want 

a shot!

Gail keeps a close watch on Dan as he applies the rubber band that turns this little bull into a nice steer.

Next, Dan gets the ear tagger...

and

applies the ear tag with the calf's number to the little guy's right ear.  Heifers get their tags in the left ear, leaving the right ear free for the vet to tattoo when with the Bangs vac number.

And there we have it.  Vaccinated, castrated, and tagged. He can spend the summer growing and turning into a nice 600 pound calf.

Neighbor Gary was managing the camera this morning.  Thanks Gary!

The birds are saying that spring is here.  The robins are back and the blackbirds are starting to show up.  The cranes are scouting out nesting sites and the magpies are still building like mad.  The meadow larks are fussing about having cold feet and this evening I heard a killdeer.  Eastern king birds showed up this morning.  And, the weather forecast indicates that there might be rain.  Maybe.