Almost Two Years Later

Two years ago we were waiting for Jane.  Although we didn’t know the calf Della was carrying was Jane.
Della – April 2010.

Della’s calves:  Softie, Deverell, Dale, Delta, Dean, Jetta, Keith, Brooks, unnamed twins, & Jane.

Now we wait for Jane’s first calf.  I’ve learned a lot from each milk cow I have had – Jessie, Sugar, Myra, Lil, Rita, Lee and Della were all good teachers.  Maybe Della the most – she made having a family cow easy and then she taught me not to be complacent.  I do not want to be complacent with Jane.  It hurts too much – you get too attached when you’re only milking one or two cows, or at least I do.  I love my beef cows, but they are less dependent on me.  Dairy cows can be incredibly tough and fragile at the same time, the relationship between the milkmaid and milk cow feels the same.  My heart already aches knowing Jane will grow older, but I know that she must.  It’s the cycle of the farmstead, she’s just one part of the continuing story.  Each one of Della’s calves was different in their own way.  You get to know the house cow’s calf very well, and they you.  You are like a maid, aunt, or babysitter.  Here they are latch-key calves of a sort, while mom is out working (making grass into milk) the calf becomes the relief milker, lawn mower and makes friends with the dogs and cats of the barnyard. 


Jane is starting to make a little bag, I don’t mean she has a little bag, I mean her bag, or udder is developing.  Making bag is everyday talk, as in “That cow is makin’ bag.”

Jane is like a big dog, and used to the “photo shoot” business.

A good tail rub will stop her in her tracks so we can get some photos.

Starting to show.

Always curious.

But she does listen when reprimanded.

I’m in the hedgerow getting a stick for the walk back to the barn.  I rarely have to use it, but I’ve come to the conclusion that just carrying the “stick” gives you a confidence in your stride that the animals sense, and they are less apt to mess with you.  Cows are notorious for wanting to play, and they butt when they play.  The playing is even worse if you’re walking downhill, they get that momentum going and want to run, buck and twist like rodeo bulls.  Playing is a good sign that your cows feel good, but it is no fun when you’re out in the middle of a field with a cow that wants to play.

See how good she is?  I have my stick and my confidence, she just thinks we’re going for a walk.

Jane is due around Memorial Day, she’ll change quite a bit in the next 4 months and I plan on posting about Jane once a month so you can see the difference as she progresses in  her pregnancy.  Fingers crossed.