One Little Woman. Lots of Little Bulls.
To back-track a little, calves are ‘weaned’ from their mothers at around six months of age. They bellow for a bit, but soon calm down when they realise the tucker is on tap (i.e. hay – and lots of it – is available 24/7). And as their mum is usually in ‘up the duff’ again (in calf) everyone settles down quickly and concentrates on what cows do best: eat.
That’s it mate – get into it!
You know that’s a bit high, little fella?
Ever seen a bull stand on tippy-toes?
This could be messy!
Hello spaghetti face!!!
My daughter looks just like this about 6.30pm…
And do you remember how the boys took the young weaners out for their very first solo drive (not taking the wheel of the nearest ute, silly. Drive as in droving, as in, walking in a mob). We gave them all merit certificates for exemplary behaviour. (OK not actual certificates so much as grass and lots of it, on tap).
Well, all the little boy weaners (the ones that didn’t lose their ahem manhood at branding time) get to home back to the Granite Glen house. Here I ‘handle’ them – which means I spend time with them, letting them understand that humans are good and to be trusted. I talk their talk and give them lucerne hay (i.e. the good stuff). And it’s the best way to assess them – I get to be the school marm. Sorting out who are the ‘stars’, who are the ‘could do betters’ and who are the ‘recalcitrants’ (in the words of one of our ex-PMs). It’s one of my favourite jobs of all.
…
OK, the first ones are up and checking out the green booty. TLW stands a good three feet away.
But now she has the hang-onto-that-sheaf-with-two-fists thing happening. This is less than 5 minutes into the first session and she’s got it. Good girl! And yes, that’s #150 again getting up close and personal – give that boy an A+ for temperament!
Another 20 minutes into our initial encouter with group 1, and TLW sorts out some more sheafs for the milling mob. She is chatting furiously – ‘this one is hungrier Mum’, ‘Pardon YOU bull! when one burps loudly ‘Grabbing is rude’ to another who grabs a big mouthful and pulls the sheaf from her hands – but most of the bulls seem to be completely unconcerned with the constant narration from the fuzz-nut midget in their midst.
Of course, some are still playing hard to get. Looking around all nonchalant like ‘What? Me? Us?‘ Naughty little recalcitrants! Definitely in the ‘must try harder’ class. And number 11 – don’t think I can’t see you back there! You will be sitting beside #150 tomorrow, my friend!
Speaking of whom… hello Class pet!!!
But the the winner of Student of the Day goes to TLW.
That’s my little woman!
12 Comments
Jayne
LOL
They are great photos, and TLW looks completely at home with those young chaps 😉
Andrea
She is so brave! I would have been running and crying!! I am so scared of cows!! Maybe it’s due to the one mean/mad cow we have that chases people?? Fun pictures!!
Bush Babe (of Granite Glen)
Hey – Andrea, you need to not be scared of cows!!! Seriously. Read here – http://bushbabe.blogspot.com/2008/04/bovine-buddiesno-bull.html – to see how they SHOULD be…
debby
Great pictures. But when they are graduated, what happens to the little weaners then? What happens to the class pet? and what happens to the not class not-pets? (I eat meat so I’m not being squeamish about this) Are you separating breeders from the regular population? Or do they all go to the same place? Just curious? My dad raised beefalo. Half bison/half hereford. Their mamas weaned them when they got sick of them hanging on, and they all hung out in the same field, and once a year, my dad would decide which two ‘wuz fer eatin” Small time American beef farmer in action.
Oh. And TLW IS the star of the show. Man, you have cute kids, brown eyes and all….
Pencil Writer
TLW did seem to shine in her duties! She’s such a cutie! And the little bullocks aren’t bad either.
Great photos as usual. Also enjoyed the tutorial in beef raising.
Bush Babe (of Granite Glen)
A couple of ‘quick’ answers… seems like another post due here on Cow Stuff.
PW – these are bulls not bullocks. Bullocks are big steers (those without their ‘calf nuts’ as Ree would say). Easy mistake though…
These guys get extra attention, as do the little girls (heifers) because we need to make sure our breeders (all those except the steers/bullocks) have really good temperaments. We take pride in having our Brangus bulls and cows – which we often sell to other breeders – boasting good natures as well as outstanding conformation. During handling, we can also pick up little faults that may have been overlooked at branding. This doesn’t mean the animals with the fault gets sent to the butcher, but gets relegated from the stud herd to the commercial herd. I’ll explain all that in a post I think.
Deb – we do eat our own cattle, but not many!!! Maybe two a year… and while we used to do the butchering job ourselves (when I was a kid) we send them into the local butcher now. One spinoff is that we know how to use every cut of meat… something most city folk have never had to learn. Again, another post there! I might get Jeanie to help me with that one…
We do a lot with our cattle throughout their lives Deb – there are a few different purposes within our herd. Branding and weaning are just two stages.
Hope that clarifies things a little? Totally interested to hear your Dad’s cattle enterprise Deb… have you any photos of a beefalo??
Erin's Father
Hi Lady–Nice to see the kids involved in your day-to-day, they learn so much more from what they observe than what they are told. Just one of the compensations of a rural lifestyle that is sometimes overlooked.
BTW, It doesn’t matter what color your blog is-just don’t loose the little clock. Most times when I check in it’s tomorrow there. I’ve come to depend on you for that. Bye now- HR
jeanie
lol – it doesn’t seem that long ago that we were the little women and mum was busy with her boys!!
Please be assured Deb that most of those boys are far too precious (and valuable in $ terms) to end up on the plate.
Well – for a few good years.
Then we will get Bush Babe to do a post explaining why old bulls are known as “tinners”.
he he he he he.
debby
Jeanie – it does not dismay me that these fine fellows will be food. I’m kind of practical like that. However, here, I’ve never heard of bulls being raised for their temperament, and this interests me very much.
No. I have no pictures of my dad’s cattle. He raised straight Herefords. The bison thing took off after I left, and I never was a part of that. However, here is a link of my friend’s bison ranch. It has a few pictures. I will try to get more when I am there later this month.
http://warrenag.org/agtour-lazyj.htm
I have another acquaintance who will be coming to Australia in August as part of an agricultural exchange program. She works in the Ag Extension office upstairs from us.
Pencil Writer
BB–always glad to be eddicated! I always thought that “bullocks” were just YOUNG (little) BULLS kind of like “hillocks” are little hills. Obviously, not much of a farmer, beef-raiser. And I wouldn’t want to offend your little bulls–particularly the well mannered ones for fear of giving them reason to reverse their goodly natures. So, know I know better! :-}
Pencil Writer
Well, I guess I should say “now I know.” Apparently I don’t know much now. And my fingers know less. Now. Or then.
Oh, also, on Debbie’s comment. I’ve eaten buffalo once or twice. It’s quite good. Don’t remember if I’ve eaten beefalo or not. Knew a young woman who’s family in Idaho raised beef. Her dad thought it might be a good idea to cross-breed with a buffalo. This gal NEVER wanted to deal with the bison–female. Said it was WAY TOO temperamental.
Lavinia Ladyslipper
Terrific, informative post. And the little one looks right at home…not a shred of nervousness.
Really enjoyed these…