| Author |
Topic |
|
CloversMum
3486 Posts
|
 Posted - Jan 08 2015 : 8:54:58 PM
|
Clover was confirmed pregnant today via a blood test. Thank you MaryJane for all of your help!! I was getting concerned that perhaps she had breeding issues due to her rough birth and beginning.
However, this confirmation means that she was bred by Beau Vine during her first visit (over Thanksgiving week) and that she was, indeed, going through her heat cycles exactly every 21 days. Way to go Beau Vine!
MaryJane sent me an email this afternoon and I squealed with delight when I read it on my phone! I'm so relieved to know for sure now...I won't second guess every time Clover moos or is extra friendly or shows some other behavior that I cannot explain away. I fully expect Clover to moo a lot after I pick her up at MaryJane's tomorrow morning. She seems to enjoy being around all of the other cows. But just a few more months from now and she will have her own little companion. And we will have milk!
Our little farm is brimming with pregnant farm critters...that is a blessing for sure! We have a pregnant Jersey, five pregnant goats, and our incubator is full of fertilized chicken eggs. Truly lovely.
|
Loving life and family on our Idaho farm, Meadowlark Heritage Farm; A few Jersey cows; a few alpacas; a few more goats, and even more ducks and chickens |
|
|
NellieBelle
11217 Posts
|
Posted - Jan 09 2015 : 04:31:55 AM
|
| Congrats again Charlene. Welcome to farm life! Get the gardening down and you've got about all you need to sustain your family. It a wonderful and grateful feeling. Yes, we all have so much to be thankful for. Enjoy! It's been a long time coming. :) |
To laugh is human but to moo is bovine. Author Unknown |
 |
|
|
Sydney2015
1156 Posts
|
Posted - Jan 09 2015 : 07:01:39 AM
|
| Congrats! I'm so excited for you! |
A good laugh overcomes more difficulties and dissipates more dark clouds than any other one thing - Laura Ingalls Wilder
I live on a small farm of seventy acres called Green Forest Farm, with 10 horses, a donkey, 5 beef cows, 2 beef heifers, 3 Hereford heifers, around 60 chickens, 8 dogs, my amazing cow, AppleButter, and her little Jersey calf HoneyButter! |
|
|
|
Ron
4666 Posts
Ronnie
Peever
SD
USA
|
Posted - Jan 09 2015 : 07:56:12 AM
|
| Charlene's maternity ward! Should be a good year 2015 on the farm! |
With a moo moo here and a moo moo there, here a moo, there a moo, everywhere a moo moo. |
|
|
|
CloversMum
3486 Posts
|
Posted - Jan 09 2015 : 08:39:15 AM
|
Maternity ward, oh my yes! The births begin in March so it shall be busy for sure!
And, yes I do need to get the gardening part down, Janet. I started reading Ruth Stout's book....excellent. Also, I wanted to ask you as you mentioned elsewhere that you were reading one of your favorite magazines called Organic Gardening...is this a magazine you would recommend a subscription to? I enjoyed the article on garlic in MaryJane's magazine this month. Too late for me to plant any this season, but I definitely will be planting some next fall.
I'm still walking on clouds thinking of my Clover is actually pregnant!! Yes, I am a crazy newbie farmer who enjoys each and every step of the process!
|
Loving life and family on our Idaho farm, Meadowlark Heritage Farm; A few Jersey cows; a few alpacas; a few more goats, and even more ducks and chickens |
|
|
|
NellieBelle
11217 Posts
|
Posted - Jan 09 2015 : 08:55:58 AM
|
| I don't know if you would find the magazine beneficial to you or not Charlene. I'm an avid reader. I love reading and picking up new tips and information on organic gardening. I like reading histories of individuals who have paved the way. I personally enjoy the magazine. This month there are remedies for unwanted bugs: blended mixture of garlic, chives, or hot pepper-ora combination of them- in an equal amt. of water and a teaspoon of plain detergent to help the protective mixture cling to plants. All natural remedies. Also a garden scarecrow using corks and feathers. I just enjoy it. Maybe you could get a sample copy before you commit. An idea anyway. |
To laugh is human but to moo is bovine. Author Unknown |
|
|
|
CloversMum
3486 Posts
|
Posted - Jan 09 2015 : 09:04:18 AM
|
I love to read...just don't have as much time as I would like to spend reading. Good idea to get a sample copy first...and then maybe I can ask for a subscription for a birthday gift! I'll hint really loud to my family! I don't like getting lots of magazines...but love MaryJane's (I think I got our BnB guest hooked on MaryJane's magazine, too!).
I have little pieces of time here and there while waiting on kiddos so I could see tucking this magazine into my purse to pull out to read during those moments. |
Loving life and family on our Idaho farm, Meadowlark Heritage Farm; A few Jersey cows; a few alpacas; a few more goats, and even more ducks and chickens |
|
|
|
maryjane
7074 Posts
|
Posted - Jan 09 2015 : 09:25:59 AM
|
Yes, Organic Gardening is what my parents gave me a sub to every year for Christmas from when I was 18 (and left home) until my parents died a few years ago. I haven't kept my sub up but I think you can grab a single copy at the co-op Charlene.
Janet, I have a collection of their very early ones that were small and fit on the back of our family toilet along with Reader's Digest and National Geographic. Now you know ... the rest of the family story:) One toilet, one library. |
MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~ |
|
|
|
Ron
4666 Posts
Ronnie
Peever
SD
USA
|
Posted - Jan 09 2015 : 11:10:46 AM
|
| Ok, I can see this is going to pot! ( bada boom ) |
With a moo moo here and a moo moo there, here a moo, there a moo, everywhere a moo moo. |
|
|
|
NellieBelle
11217 Posts
|
Posted - Jan 09 2015 : 11:12:07 AM
|
| When you don't sleep, there is plenty of time to read. But I wouldn't wish it on anybody. My Aunt Elsie always kept Farm Journal and Capper's Weekly in the bathroom in a pile. Bathroom libraries from coast to coast. |
To laugh is human but to moo is bovine. Author Unknown |
|
|
|
NellieBelle
11217 Posts
|
Posted - Jan 09 2015 : 11:22:33 AM
|
As you might guess I keep MaryJanesFarm magazine in my bathroom. |
To laugh is human but to moo is bovine. Author Unknown |
|
|
|
Ron
4666 Posts
Ronnie
Peever
SD
USA
|
Posted - Jan 09 2015 : 1:07:34 PM
|
| What a nice bathroom Janet. What don't you have. |
With a moo moo here and a moo moo there, here a moo, there a moo, everywhere a moo moo. |
|
|
|
maryjane
7074 Posts
|
Posted - Jan 09 2015 : 1:28:12 PM
|
| Here we go again, Janet. I have the exact same wire shelf over my claw-foot bathtub--separated at birth I'd say. Lovely place of tranquility BTW. "When in repose, she dreamed of cows." |
MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~ |
|
|
|
NellieBelle
11217 Posts
|
Posted - Jan 09 2015 : 1:54:01 PM
|
I'm beginning to think so MaryJane. Thanks everybody. Past issues are on the little shelf on the table. Of course current issues are on my coffee table. We remodeled the bathroom some years back. Probably further back than I think. But tried to keep it looking like the old bathrooms from years ago.  There are cows in my Ansel Adams picture too. |
To laugh is human but to moo is bovine. Author Unknown |
|
|
|
Ron
4666 Posts
Ronnie
Peever
SD
USA
|
Posted - Jan 09 2015 : 2:18:38 PM
|
| Niceeeeeeeee |
With a moo moo here and a moo moo there, here a moo, there a moo, everywhere a moo moo. |
|
|
|
CloversMum
3486 Posts
|
Posted - Jan 09 2015 : 3:12:14 PM
|
| Beautiful bathroom, Janet! Absolutely love that tub. What luxury. Now I know we all are friends...sharing bathrooms & libraries! I have to stop at the co-op today so I will look for Organic Gardening. |
Loving life and family on our Idaho farm, Meadowlark Heritage Farm; A few Jersey cows; a few alpacas; a few more goats, and even more ducks and chickens |
|
|
|
NellieBelle
11217 Posts
|
Posted - Jan 09 2015 : 3:14:23 PM
|
| I'll tell you what's nice. A epsom salt soak in that tub. That's about all I ever use it for anymore. I use the shower mostly, and Joe won't go near the bathtub, afraid he couldn't get out. So he is a shower only man. Thank goodness I can still get up and down out of a tub when I want to soak my rusty bones. |
To laugh is human but to moo is bovine. Author Unknown |
|
|
|
CloversMum
3486 Posts
|
Posted - Jan 09 2015 : 3:21:57 PM
|
| Love Epson salt baths! |
Loving life and family on our Idaho farm, Meadowlark Heritage Farm; A few Jersey cows; a few alpacas; a few more goats, and even more ducks and chickens |
|
|
|
NellieBelle
11217 Posts
|
Posted - Jan 09 2015 : 3:49:45 PM
|
| Hobby Farms is a nice magazine too and loaded with info on farm animals and life. Just in case you want to pick up two different magazines. |
To laugh is human but to moo is bovine. Author Unknown |
|
|
|
CloversMum
3486 Posts
|
Posted - Jan 09 2015 : 4:42:58 PM
|
Picked up a copy of Organic Gardening this afternoon but did not see Hobby Farms. I'll sit and enjoy Organic Gardening later tonight, as long as I don't drink any catnip tea I might be able to stay awake for a few minutes of reading!
|
Loving life and family on our Idaho farm, Meadowlark Heritage Farm; A few Jersey cows; a few alpacas; a few more goats, and even more ducks and chickens |
|
|
|
NellieBelle
11217 Posts
|
Posted - Jan 09 2015 : 5:09:22 PM
|
| Catnip tea is okay Charlene, it's catnap tea you have to watch out for. :) |
To laugh is human but to moo is bovine. Author Unknown |
Edited by - NellieBelle on Jan 09 2015 5:24:29 PM |
|
|
|
Ron
4666 Posts
Ronnie
Peever
SD
USA
|
Posted - Jan 09 2015 : 5:40:31 PM
|
| Acres is a good publication too...hmmmmmm while soaking in salt water and drinking catnap tea....don't know about all this. |
With a moo moo here and a moo moo there, here a moo, there a moo, everywhere a moo moo. |
|
|
|
farmlife
1413 Posts
|
Posted - Jan 09 2015 : 7:03:32 PM
|
| Mother Earth News has some helpful gardening information, too, Charlene. I don't regularly subscribe, but I'll pick one up now and then and always find good ideas in it. I'm like you, trying to be a better gardener. This summer I hope to get a salsa garden going where my failed fruit patch was. I swear my family could eat our weight in salsa! |
|
|
|
CloversMum
3486 Posts
|
Posted - Jan 09 2015 : 8:35:40 PM
|
Whoops...yes, I will sip catnip tea, NOT catnap tea. Although tonight I think an early bedtime is the plan...regardless of whatever tea I drink.
I already get Acres...love the magazine, if I can keep it away from my son long enough to read it!
Mother Earth News...I'll tuck that one away for another time since I have a couple to digest now. Thanks, Keeley for the suggestion. My family also eats lots of fresh salsa...I like to freeze it to keep the fresh taste.
Off to read some great magazines!
|
Loving life and family on our Idaho farm, Meadowlark Heritage Farm; A few Jersey cows; a few alpacas; a few more goats, and even more ducks and chickens |
|
|
|
CloversMum
3486 Posts
|
Posted - Jan 11 2015 : 7:55:03 PM
|
The roads were finally clear enough and not icy so my husband and I drove over to MaryJane's to pick up Clover. Nick and MaryJane are absolutely some of the nicest people around...they are in the middle of caring for Maizy who is ill (part of the reason we were hoping to get Clover home...one less cow for them to be watching) and, yet, when we drove up they already had my Clover up to the gate and ready to load. Nick helped encourage Clover's back end to load up. Just genuine caring people!
MaryJane had even spent time this past week brushing out Clover and watching her behavior. She was able to give me some clues about my young pregnant heifer who doesn't like her routine to be messed with. Clover expresses herself with her mooing. And, since I am new at this "cow stuff" I kept thinking she was going back into another heat. She was bred November 26th! And, MaryJane also reminded me to be stern with Clover when she would try to "gallop" beside me when I was leading her. I put my thumb under her halter and told her a loud "NO" when she tried after unloading her back at home. As soon as she stopped, I started talking calmly and sweetly to her. She was perfect the rest of the way down to her pasture gate!
MaryJane said that I hadn't given myself permission to be stern enough with Clover...MaryJane was completely correct. So, thank you MaryJane for your tips on getting her to obey. Ethan and I will work on her. Reminds me of the time that we struggled to get our youngest daughter (one with special needs) to eat…her oral aversion was so bad that she could throw up merely by us stroking her cheek. We practically danced on our heads doing everything trying to get her to eat. One feeding specialist sat us down and reminded us that we were the parents and the ones in control (what a concept!). We just had to set the guidelines and not Cecily. Thus began a huge transition and we were successful. Cecily is able to eat anything now and tries more new foods than some of my other kiddos. So, same principle with Clover. We are in charge with love, but firmness.
I spent a long time this afternoon brushing Clover and she loved it. She closed her eyes, hung her head down and just soaked the lovin' in. I brushed out her tail which is almost touching the ground now...just beautiful.
When I first released her out in her pasture, she took off running up the pasture...I think she was excited to be home! Went right up to the top of the pasture to greet the neighbor's horses and then sauntered back down for her treats. She licked my hand and the brush as I groomed her. I'd say a perfect Sunday afternoon!
|
Loving life and family on our Idaho farm, Meadowlark Heritage Farm; A few Jersey cows; a few alpacas; a few more goats, and even more ducks and chickens |
|
|
|
maryjane
7074 Posts
|
Posted - Jan 12 2015 : 04:49:31 AM
|
How did Clover do through the night and how is she this morning? Lonely again or adjusted this time (coming here was starting to be routine:)
Charlene, that Clover of yours (combined with Beau Vine) is going to give you a beautiful calf. She's a lovely, lovely cow with such a fun youthfulness to her. I love her face. Enjoy it while you can, because she'll mature quickly once she gives birth and nurses a baby of her own.
Just think. Come Sept. 4. you'll be drenched in milk! Let us know how she's doing! |
MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~ |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
![[flourish]](/images/flourish-txt_mobius.png)
Clover is pregnant!
![Heritage Jersey Organization [logo]](/images/HJO-logo.png){kind=logo}
