Waiting for Flora

My Angus heifer, Flora McDonald, has grown considerably this winter. When I bought her in September, Flora was a slim first-calf heifer smaller than Moxie. Now, at almost three, she is just as tall, and as she will calve soon she is wide and ponderous. I always remember my vet, David, telling me in reference to Moxie (a runt when I found her) that cattle have an amazing ability to continue to grow after their first year “if they have good groceries.” I set a generous table. “You spoil them cows,” says Rick, the hay man, when I complain about bad bales.

I’m not sure of Flora’s due date as she had been turned out in a large herd with Hereford bulls “for about a month.” I’m guessing in the next two weeks. I have no experience with beef cow udders but I’m watching Flora’s carefully.

I hope to get the cattle on fresh grass soon. My fences need hours of work after the long winter and I’m swamped at my job. However I’ve written down a list of the necessary steps and with luck I can make a little progress every day.