Week three of calving at Ogilvie Stock Ranch reminded me why ranch life is equal parts joyful surprise and careful preparedness. Between a time change, a snowstorm that slowed everything down, a risky backwards calf that needed a vet trip, and more twins, we were kept on our toes every day. We welcomed nearly twenty new calves and half a dozen lambs, leaned on family teamwork, and were reminded how quickly weather and birthing complications can change your plans.

Day 8

We woke up to a time change and snow! Needless to say, the morning did not go as planned.  Everything took longer. Then the cows also decided to start calving today. We ended the day with 3 new calves.

Day 9

We had a full day and ended the day with a total of 4 calves and one lamb. One of the boys’ ewes surprised us with a beautiful ram lamb who needs a name that starts with “P.” We also had a big backwards calf, so we made a quick trip to the vet clinic since a large calf in a backwards presentation can be risky. Calves usually come front feet first with the head; when a calf comes back feet first it’s important to get the hips and bum out quickly because the cord can break and the calf can drown in amniotic fluids if we wait.

Day 10

We had another set of twins today. Two beautiful heifer calves! They are all doing well. 

Day 11

We woke up to two new calves in the morning so we brought them into the barn to dry off. We then processed the two twin calves from yesterday. They each get a RFID tag with a number that is unique to them, along with a ranch tag with their ranch number. They each get a preventative injection of Selenium and Vitamin A,D and E. They are both polled, which means they do not have horns. We then weighed them, one weighed 77 lbs and the other was 63 lbs. That’s a lot of calf for a three year old cow to carry. She did a great job growing them! The afternoon was quiet thankfully because the snow started to fall! We ended up with 4 inches. 

Day 12

Four calves again today! Between the snow and wind, we are bringing them to the barn quickly so they can dry off with their mothers inside where it is warm. However, not every day goes smoothly during calving. And it’s usually when you have planned something. A cow calved when the boys and I were downtown doing beef deliveries and my parents had difficultly getting her to follow her calf to the barn. To make sure the calf stayed warm, they decided to take the calf to the barn to warm up and we would then try to get the cow as soon as the boys and I got home. Needless to say, she was not going to go anywhere we wanted her to, especially in the dark. So we fed the calf some colostrum and let her dry off over night. We then took her back to her mom this morning as soon as it was light outside. 

Day 13

We took the calf from yesterday back to her mother and as soon as her mother saw the calf in the wagon, she walked towards us! Thankfully she accepted her right away and they headed off through the field together. We then processed the calves from yesterday and finished chores. By the afternoon, a cow had started to calve and she decided to steal the calf from the morning. Needless to say, the calf’s actual mom got confused and then wouldn’t accept her calf.  So we brought the cow and calf into the barnyard to see if she would settle down.  By the evening, she was still not allowing her calf to nurse so we put her in the cattle squeeze and let the calf nurse her, take a look at the video on our Facebook page.  Total calves for the day was 4!

Day 14

By morning, our wonderful cow from the previous day was still not letting her calf nurse.  Another trip into the cattle squeeze and the calf nursed very well.  By noon, her mother was finally accepting her again! Success! No new calves today but we had two sets of lambs.  One set of triplets and a cute set of twins!  

By the end of the week we were exhausted, grateful, and full of stories—everything from successful twin heifers and to a mom who needed a little extra help accepting her baby. Got P-name ideas for that sweet ram lamb, or questions about any of the calving moments this week? Share them below—I’d love to hear your suggestions and stories.