Surprise, surprise....

[wvdexters]

Walking down to the pasture yesterday, I had quite the surprise.  There was little Judith nursing off her mother Triu.  I couldn't believe it, and kept sneaking down closer hoping to see that she was just standing there at a funny angle, but No - she was nursing away!  Arghhh

We thought for sure she was weaned.  Hadn't seen anything for over 1 1/2 mos.  Background: we had decided to separate them a couple months ago when she turned 8 mos, but Triu was so upset (and had been starting to push her away anyway) we decided to let her wean herself.  They must have been really careful - and smart about it  LOL, because we never caught them one time; and the winter area is right between the houses.

Anyway, spent the afternoon cleaning out the barn, and making an area where we can keep her.  At 10 mos. she needs to be kept away from the bull too.  So tomorrow's plan is to move her into the barn w/the loading area for a run --- and keep mom alongside in the winter area.   Then after a few days, we'll put Triu in with the bull and bring Caitlyn down to be with the heifer for the rest of the winter.   
 
It is something.  You wouldn't know from looking at her.  Triu is a very small LL, beefy girl but also very young.  To look so good, on just hay/minerals.

[dexterfarm]

Do you know how far along Triu is? I find there is a certain time in the pregnancy that triggers them to kick off the old baby in prep for the new ones. 

[wvdexters]

She was bred 6/14 so we are expecting a calf around March 23.

[genebo]

I've never worried about how long the calf nurses as long as Mama is holding condition. Even then I'd be more inclined to supplement Mama's feed and let 'em go.

There is so much benefit from keeping Mama and calf together. I think it makes excellent adult cattle.

There is no reason to want to cause Mama's developing calf to grow faster or bigger. That is better done after birth.

[dexterfarm]

I would have expected her to kick him off last month. Rarely do I have to intervene but sometimes it is necessary. I pulled my bulls and bull calves out a couple of weeks ago to prevent any winter calves. So the bull calves all lost there moms but the heifers are still with theirs. I left one cow and her bull calf in with the bulls. He was younger than the rest and I didnt want to pull moma away yet.

[wvdexters]

We had to wait a few days because of the mud, all that rain and warm temps really made a mess (but I'm not complaining) LOL It has been a nice treat to be able to go out in just a light jacket and the Dexters really enjoyed it too.

But we separated them today. Side by side with the heifer in the barn/run area with Mom across the gate. We'll let them settle in and then switch the cows in a few days. Triu seemed to be pretty happy and was busy eating hay when we left. Judith was working on her own hay in her pen. I'm going down to check on them again before dark. With this being her first lactation, we wanted to make sure she dries off for a while before she calves again. Funny thing, we haven't seen any more nursing since that day last week. Just Triu pushing her away once yesterday. I think she's going to be content with the new arrangement.