I got a phone call a week ago from a fellow Kentucky Cattleman Member. He is an older gentleman who raises black-Angus, beef cattle. He was also the Ag teacher in our county for the last 20+ years. He shared with me that he had a Jersey cow who needed a loving home. He explained that a milk cow was a bit more than he wanted on his plate right now.
Several months back he bought saved her at the local sale barn. Sale barns can be dangerous places. Some people avoid them like the plague because of illnesses and diseases that are potentially lurking around. Others of us consider sale barns a fun family evening out.
There’s all the animals, the baby animals, the snack bar, the friendly people, and the parking lot filled with country folk selling various goods off the back of their trucks. If you’ve never been to a livestock auction, you should go. Livestock auctions are a cross between the County Fair, a smokers convention and a pig pen – with a very loud, fast-talking, person selling livestock at lightning speed.
Even if you don’t want to purchase any new critters, you’ll probably still have a good time at the sale barn.
Livestock auction tip: Don’t lift your arm to fix your hair, scratch your forehead, or pat someone on the back – you could leave with a cow.
When my friend was telling me how he became the owner of his Jersey, he explained, “Sometimes, you ought to just leave your money in your pocket.”
So, now he had her and wanted to find a good home for her. He drives by our place often and thought that his little Jersey would be very happy at our homestead if we would be willing to purchase her.
I agree with him. She came to our home on Monday.
Her name is Rosie. She is a 24 month old Jersey. She is petite and has long auburn hair. She is friendly and gentle and……….
…………….. she came with a little, black, heifer calf who was born 10 days ago.
Our friend didn’t want to take Rosie to the sale barn where her future would be uncertain and she could potentially be separated from her calf. We didn’t want him to take them to the sale barn either.
We told our friend that we’d take Rosie and her calf too!
Everyone’s getting to know each other right now.
Here’s the assortment of cattle in our bovine family:
- Faith – our first Jersey cow (who is bred & due to calve in August)
- Crumple – the Brown Swiss calf we bought to help us with the milking
- Rosie – our new Jersey cow
- Guinevere – Rosie’s heifer (girl) calf
Rosie’s timing is excellent. We are going to dry up Faith next month so she can have a nice loooooooong break before she calves in August. This will contribute to the health of the calf she is carrying, and give her body the rest it needs.
Now that Rosie is here, we will not be without milk, cheese, cream, butter, ice-cream, yogurt, buttermilk, and other wonderful things while Faith takes her baby-making vacation.
{Thank you, Lord, for the cows!}
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XO,
Candi
