Morning Sickness in Cows?

Compelling new observations prove that cows may suffer some resemblance of the morning sickness that pregnant women experience...........

Ok pretty much joking about all this, but there is a story behind it!

Meet Beatrice. She's our Boss Cow or Lead Cow of the herd, pretty much meaning she's in charge of all the Ladies. She leads them out to pasture, she's always one of the first in the parlor, she's at the top of the herd hierarchy. And oh yes there is a hierarchy, every cow in the herd has her place. Some are just plain mean, but Beatrice seems to be a nice leader, a respected leader.

One of the first triggers for us that something is wrong with a cow is that she comes into the parlor out of order. Especially a cow that is always in the same place, being out of order draws attention. So about a month ago Beatrice started missing her morning place in milking. And we definitely started keeping a close eye on her. But everything seemed fine, she was eating and producing normally, just late to milking.

Then one morning we caught her "sleeping" in the back of holding pen, catching her attention she seemed to snap out of it. Looked around and realized what had happened, she immediately headed to the front of the line to be milked. Everyone else scattered to let her through, they were just as surprised she was still there, as she was! This proceeded to happen every so often in the mornings and we joked that maybe she was experiencing morning sickness!

Beatrice has been a problem breeder, and we have been trying to get her pregnant for some time. She kept producing enough milk to stay around for another try, but we weren't real hopeful she would settle. Sure enough with the new developments in her behavior, we realized she was over for her cycle.

And last week at our herd check, our jokings were confirmed, as Beatrice was confirmed pregnant! So maybe it is true that cows experience some morning sickness just like humans!

Definitely looking forward to another calf from B!!    

{Wordless Wednesday}

{Wordless Wednesday}

Hmm computer was NOT cooperating tonight......wouldn't upload my favorite picture from our little adventure!

Up Yours!

Ugh I am behind on posts! This time of year takes a total toll on me, and it totally frusterates me! I have horrible grass allergies, and well I live on a farm where we grow our grass out for hay. Tall heading out grass = grass pollen = my worst nightmare.

So from about the end of April till the end of June, I am miserable. Running nose, sneezing, watery eyes - miserable. Like tied to a Kleenex box as my best friend.  And believe me I've tried every possible combination of drugs and natural remedies, none of them seem to really do the trick. Except Benadryl, which works wonders! Wonderfully knocking me on my ass and then I'm not functional at all for the next 24 hours and spend the next day feeling like I got run over by a truck.

I really feel like I kind of got ripped off, farm kids are supposed to have better immunities and fewer allergies. Well not the case here! I will say it gets me out of hay work, but that also means it usually lands me in the parlor, milking. And on hot hay making days, I would much rather be out in the field making hay, then milking! 

I think next year I might have to finally invest into allergy shots. I've heard good things about them and it's definitely time to take the next step. Being non-functional for 3 months really isn't an option.

So screw you allergies! Your time destroying my body is limited!

Oh beautiful acres of tall waving grass........F*$# You!!

(Sorry for the language, really how they make me feel!)

Mid-Week Meal

We have a lot of hamburger so I am always looking for recipes that include ground beef. You can only eat so many burgers before you get burned out on bbq, although I think my husband could argue that! So here's one of my favorite quick and easy recipes.

Favorite Sloppy Joe's
1 pound extra-lean ground beef
1/2 onion chopped
1 1/2 cups of ketchup
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 1/2 tablespoons Grey Poupon mustard

Just brown the ground beef in a skillet and add the onion to saute until tender. Add in the ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar and mustard. Simmer for about 10 minutes.

Ta-da your done! Super easy, limited ingredients and tastes great! If you want it sloppier use a little more ketchup or don't let it simmer for quite as long. Personally I like it not sloppy and usually end up simmering for longer because no one is ever on time for a meal around here! Serve on hamburger buns, great use for those random left over ones from a BBQ.

Enjoy!

{Wordless Wednesday}