FARM DIARY
Goscombe Farm, Gundleton 2012
October’s wet weather continued into
November and December, the word
‘drought’, well-referred to in the spring now
seems a distant memory; the natural slope
from the fields causes a funnel effect
through the yard gates and the Goscombe
Lane Ford is almost a permanent landmark;
I may have to get on to Highways for new
signs if it continues!
Having started feeding silage and straw
soaked with molasses ten weeks earlier
than this time last year, although I started
the season with more bales than ever
before, I am now wondering if I will have
enough - only time will tell. 150 cattle already
housed, eight weeks earlier than last year
with the remaining 70 odd in by the end of
December, it is going to be a long winter.
The three heifers have now been
inseminated by show-potential bulls from the
Genus catalogue chosen by their impressive
facts and figures and genetic traits but the
most important figure for me is ‘Ease of
Calving’, vital for my heifers’ welfare, fingers
crossed they all hold.
New arrivals during November and
December have been exhausting, in fact
one run of 19 calves arrived in 21 days, 17
being overnight. During one evening check,
seeing two calf feet protruding skyward, a
quick feel and my worst fear confirmed, a
breech (back-end first), not good as the calf
can drown in its own fluid, so time is
essential. Called Hubby and Harriet to
provide additional help, ropes attached to
12
the calf’s ankle joints using plenty of
lubrication, even with all three of us pulling,
the calf would not move, now feeling rather
panicky, what to do next? Hubby then
remembered the calving jack I had been
given some years before but never used as
previous experience with them had been
unsuccessful; we were running out of
options so it was worth a try. This calving
jack was a more modern design and sat
nicely against the cow’s rump and proved a
lifesaver, literally, the calf was out within
minutes with minimal effort and all well, why
had I not used it sooner?
The following night Hubby and I had a lovely
evening out with a hog roast supper,
relaying the story of the previous night’s
drama to friends, joking ‘Whenever we have
a night out…’ I must learn not to joke as our
bed was calling loudly on our return but first
a quick check round the livestock and ‘Oh
no!’ another breech, unbelievable. Harriet
was woken from her slumbers and using the
calving jack, another successful delivery.
A lovely surprise the following day when a
heifer (first timer) had calved unassisted,
both fine, if only they all calved liked this,
BUT, you know the saying about buses
‘….three come at once’ and yes, 7pm that
evening, a third breech calving in as many
days; this was by far the most difficult and
time-consuming. The heifer, unsure of what
was going on, was not being helpful. Finally
having secured her behind gates, calving
ropes attached and with four of us assisting,