The first of February is a little quick for calving

The hay is getting rolled up and, of course, the machinery is grinding and halting as much as possible.

We have pretty new stuff to work with, but it doesn't matter. The baler has had to have a new belt. I don't know how many rake teeth we have been to town to get, and we don't buy one at a time. The raking tractor had a flat on one of the rear tires -- filled with water, of course. Did I ever tell you I hate hay season? Well, I do!

The rains have produced the most wonderful crop of hay a beef producer could ever want. We are moving old hay to the outside so we can stack the new under roof, and I know we won't have enough room to put it all out of the weather. Having it cut is great, waiting on it to dry is nerve wracking and several times we have just finished raking when a little shower fell and we had to start all over.

My close relative is a hand during the field work. She cooks big noon meals and, because the dew is almost always still on till eleven or twelve, we eat a little early. Fried chicken was the main entree today and then the chocolate cake with ice cream for dessert! The fine vittles make for a happy crew. One of the Grands rakes for us -- you cannot imagine how much I appreciate his help.

There are a couple of Grands helping their Nannie at headquarters. She is already picking some beans and canning, so the youngsters are good help with that. They also need the experience of the cooking and canning before the art is lost completely. Yes, it is an art. Just ask any feller that has to eat other stuff out of a box or freezer. What a pleasure the garden produce is to eat when the snow flies! I dug some little potatoes and, let me tell you fellers, they are good!

The cattle are all behaving so far this week. I have an empty sick pen and hope to keep it that way. So far, we have had no foot rot although I expected some problems. I have kept the minerals out with the exact dose of iodine in each feeder. The bulls are fat and slick and have been fertility tested, so we are about ready for the great debate about when to turn them in for spring calving.

It is my opinion, and everyone has one, the first of February is a little quick for calving. I know the boys would like to move up into the last of January, but not me. The offspring are young and impatient, able to wade in the snow to rescue baby calves in zero weather, but I don't want any calves with frozen ears or my ears frozen either! We will see who is opinionated enough to win this one.

Keep your tank full and the motor running.

Bill is the pen name of the Gravette-area author of this weekly column. Opinions expressed are those of the author.

Editorial on 06/24/2015