SAVING LIVES

Calving in sub zero temperatures and about two feet of snow with drifts as tall as me, has been more than a challenge. 

Just getting around to find the calves has been very difficult.  We found some of our biggest trucks and big equipment to make some paths.  The problem was the paths kept drifting in.  

The wind was howling and traveling was tough. Poor babies.  

We did all we could to help these babies.  We took straw out and put it on all of the babies that we could. We put straw in places that the heifers might calve.  They used loaders and backhoes to make mounds of snow as wind breaks and then bedding was put in the wind breaks. 

This morning was -12 and of course we had several cold calves.  

We couldn't drive all the way to this cow, but she had a cold calf.  So Clay rescued it.

Ranchers do what is needed to take care of their livestock.

This poor baby was really cold.  So I tried the bath tub technique.

Of course I took the picture after I drained the water so he wouldn't drown.

This is the same calf several hours later.  Momma was a little confused because it didn't smell quite right.  We'll put them in a corral together and they should be fine.
​Look how clean and shiny he is. 

We have quite a nursery going on here.

We've saved a lot of calves. Unfortunately we have lost some too.  

Everyone has been helping.

We had sunshine today and no wind. So even though it didn't get above freezing it felt pretty nice.  

The calves were feeling good. 

New babies were born in the sunshine.

The heifers are only one of our issues we have with all of this snow.  The cows on the range needed some attention also.

Clay and Randy took hay out to the South herd.

I'm sure those cows were happy to see the hay.
​This weather is hard on all of the animals.  We will be glad when it warms up.

It felt pretty good while the sun was shining today, but as soon as it went behind the mountain the temperature plunged and tomorrow morning will be another cold one.