reaches inside the abdominal cavity to find
the uterus; the hard body of a calf through
the uterine wall can now be felt. Having
made an incision into the uterus, rupturing
the amniotic sac, and grasping the hind legs,
Harriet and I were then required to assist in
pulling the calf upwards and outwards, I was
surprised how difficult this was, the calf
being very slippery and extremely heavy.
After a concerted effort by all three of us, the
calf was extracted and alive although we did
have to work to expel the fluid from his
airways. He was soon holding his head up
and trying to stand, amazing. Graham
meanwhile had to suture the heifer’s uterine,
abdominal and outer wall, a very neat job
too. Finally giving her a cocktail of drugs for
infection, inflammation, etc. we all gave a
sigh of relief after a successful procedure.
The heifer began licking her calf and very
shortly afterwards he was suckling her milk,
magical.
‘Three come along at once’…I remember
using this saying in an article last winter
when I had three prolapsed in a week; well
in nearly 600 calving, never a ‘C’ section or
a vet needed, unfortunately, three calving in
a row required ‘C’ sections all within ten
days! Only one word to describe it expensive!
Over the last few months, several hours
every day have been spent preparing the
cattle for The Alresford and Romsey show in
September. Showboy, as previously
mentioned was going to retire after Alton
Show but he enjoys his days out, so
although he really is too big for the Butchers’
Beef class at Alresford, he insists on going
and yes, this will be his last show. Junior, my
Champion calf at Alton will be against
Showboy as he is too old for the calf class,
so that will be interesting!
Two of my pedigree Charolais, Gwendoline,
who is full of her own importance and rather
headstrong while Heidi who initially was
rather nervous, have both taken to the halter
and are walking well around the yard but this
has only been achieved with patience and
many hours of one to one intense training.
Having never competed at the pedigree
level before this will be a first for Gwen and
me, while Harriet will lead Heidi, competing
against very professional, long established
exhibitors, best behaviour then girls!
Lastly, Barney a five month old Charolais
cross will take part in the beef calf and child
handler class with my niece