Tag Archives: cattle

July Delights!

Here is my first calf for 2025! She is a Longhorn Brangus cross and is showing signs of her mother’s brindle coat. She is very spry and curious and loves to take long naps in the shade with her aunts and uncles who are on guard for predators.

Coyotes are the most common predator for the calves at this young age. Longhorn cattle are excellent watch “dogs” since it is their instinct to protect the herd.

It’s Hurricane Season!

Today is the first day of June and that means that today is the start of hurricane season.

The weather is at best unpredictable. But what we can do is try to think about ways to keep people and animals as safe as possible.

I like to walk around and look for any structures that look like they are weak and might not be able to withstand a steady 74-95 mph wind (category 1 hurricane based on the Saffir-Simpson Scale). The same goes for tree limbs, fence posts, and outdoor feeding equipment.

The next thing I make sure to have on hand are strong contractor garbage bags because if you need to make an emergency repair these can be used in lots of ways. I also have a roll of Gorilla tape as well.

Losing electricity is almost a given during a hurricane. I always make sure that all flashlights and spotlights have either fresh batteries or stay charged up. Something that comes in handy are these solar yard lights! You have to be sure they are charged before the main hurricane bands arrive…but they can provide light in a room at night when everything is so incredibly dark!

I also make sure to have plenty of feed on hand and that it can’t get wet. Blowing rain can make its way under doors and through cracks so be sure to check for possible leakage.

I am praying that we all stay safe during this time of year. And remember to check on your neighbors as well. A little extra hand while trying to get everything ready means a lot!

Happy 2025!!!

We are ALL counting our blessings!!!

Ending July on a Good Note

Not one, not two, not three, but four little cuties!!! These four calves are a longhorn, brangus cross. They still have that low birth size typical of a longhorn but their bone structure on the leg is slightly denser. They are also the friskiest little rascals! Their favorite thing to do is to run in circles chasing each other!

Finally the Temperature is Lovely!!!

Look at these cuties!!! They have really grown!

Sweet Cuties!!!

There Were Three but Now….

There are five!!!

It’s been a very exciting weekend!!! With this heat the most important thing is to be sure these calves are not left out in the blazing sun and that all of the herd has water and shade! Each morning and afternoon involves a head count as well as relocating any calves that have decided to just park themselves in the sun. Sometimes this involves physically picking them up and moving them in to the shade. Most of the time their mamas will be sure they are safe….but sometimes you have to step in and relocate them to safe shade….calves will dehydrate quickly in the hot sun.

Still Hotter than Hell!!!

It is still hotter than blazes with no relief in sight! But, this is Texas after all. In spite of the severity there are still nuggets of hope!

The three musketeers

But now there are four…..

Another Wonderful Surprise!

Little Spunky has had her first calf! She has had it tucked away in the undergrowth to protect it from the brutal sun.

Headed to the Shade!

Finally!!!

Finally my brindle mama has calved. She has baby tucked away in the tall grass…typical behavior for longhorn mamas.