Some of the old hides just love to get a hump in their back, develop a hacking cough, snotty nose and stand in a pond or a mud hole! They love to look sick, refuse to shed their old nasty matted up hair, and they make money for the local vet! They probably had a good calf last year and, so, they were kept with high hopes of producing another money maker.
I am the fortunate owner of some bovine of that description. I have never seen it fail in the hundred years or so that I have been in this beef producing business. We will winter some old cow that looks good, eats more of her share of the cubes and hay. She will usually be one of the 12-hundred pounders that I like and would have brought a bucket full of cash two months ago. Yes, I kept her and yes, I am spending instead of collecting now.
There is no way to know that one of the best looking producers who has been checked and found safe in calf will suddenly fall to staves. They are living creatures. They have organs that will blow up, livers that stop cleaning blood, kidneys that go to pot -- excuse me -- and heart attacks. A tooth infection can kill one if not found and extracted. Black Leg and shipping disease are not our only culprits.
My issue with this one is the bloating and humped back. She won't eat and drink and I know her calf isn't getting enough milk to live on. She has a pretty little bull calf, and he is getting hungry and bellering. I have her penned to haul to the vet in the morning. We tubed the calf tonight and will have some milk replacer for him in the morning. Gosh, isn't it fun to be a farmer?
The country is dry and we need rain pretty bad. I realize that the last good rain was a terrible flood and folks are still cleaning up, but the ground needs moisture. We have a good promising forecast, so have delayed working cattle for another week. I am ready to get to it but I hate to gather in the rain. The trap gets stomped to mud and calves get run over. We aren't gonna be late, even losing the next week. Hope you fellers are ready.
It's double-whammy time of the year. Sell two cows to buy medicine for spring work and then get the tax man to give you the bottom line! Blood drains from your face, and your stomach will feel like you ate Mexican food for a week. Sure did enjoy that big high in the cattle market, sold the same number of head and made twice the cash. Big Brother will take care of the extra.
It is my opinion, and everyone has one, income tax is hard to pay. We sometimes are forced to borrow the money because it appears we made so much. The money came in and looks great on paper, but it went out real quick and nothing is left to be considered net. Now we all whine a little, but we all like the Army, Navy and Air Force. I am partial to the Marines and Special Forces. I like knowing they are available to protect me and the herd I call mine. I'd bet you do too, if I were a betting man.
Pray for rain and healthy hides!
Bill is the pen name used by the Gravette-area author of this weekly column. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Editorial on 03/16/2016