Although we didn’t consult the Farmer’s Almanac
regarding the best dates to wean the calves, our 2012 weaning was the easiest
ever.
In order to minimize weaning stress, we practice
fenceline weaning, which means that the only thing that separates the cows from
the calves is one fence. Emotional distress is kept to a minimum if mamas can
see and communicate with their calves and vice-versa. We’ve yet to have a calf
go off feed or get sick.
For fenceline weaning to work, however, the
fence must be an effective barrier to travel. Our 2011 weaning was very stressful
for us because one of the calves,
Yogi, kept escaping from the corral. By all appearances, Yogi was too fat to
crawl out and too short to jump out, but out he repeatedly got! (We never
caught him in the act.) Recapturing Yogi was an ordeal because his mama, Teddy
Bear, was a mean, over-protective Angus menace to society. (Her belligerence earned
herself a free ticket to the sale barn.)
Readers may remember, Penelope, our youngest
calf, who is a free spirit for whom fences are merely a suggestion. We didn’t expect
to keep her in the weaning pen without drastic fortifications such as
electricity, barbed wire, concrete, and security guards.
Imagine our surprise when Penelope not only
stayed put but took weaning in stride! While the other calves bawled, Penelope munched
hay, and while they paced, she napped. Her composure must have had a comforting
effect because the misery and noise levels seemed much reduced from previous
seasons.
Nevertheless, Penelope still goes pretty much
wherever she wants--like right into the middle of the feeder!
“…He has
sent me to bind up and heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the
[physical and spiritual] captives….” –ISAIAH 61:1
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