Trust Your Mother Thank Your Neighbor
Monday morning began with a pre 7am phone call. That is never a good thing.
Sure enough - our neighbor Gary was on the phone to report that our herd of Scottish Highlanders, currently pastured at his place, were headed down Maplewood Road.
Jonathan got up and headed over before finishing his cup of coffee. He was back in time for our Monday morning crew meeting to report that, while the cows were safely contained, two of our smallest calves were not with the rest of the herd and that there was a cow having a difficult labor that needed immediate attention. We headed back over to Gary’s.
Scottish Highland Cattle are not unlike deer in how they treat their young and give birth - they are private, almost never need assistance, and they hide their young in the field while they go to graze. We often head over to the herd to check a new born calf and find that they have vanished! Finding the calves is almost impossible. Sometimes you can be standing right next to them and can’t see them! We have learned over the years not to worry - that the mothers know what to do and the calves will turn up.
This Monday, however, seemed to disprove that - the herd had covered some ground on their adventure that morning and we doubted the two day old calves could keep up. We were worried they had gone with the herd down the road and not returned with the mothers. To top it off, the cow that appeared to be in labor had clearly delivered, was in rough shape and there was no calf to be found. We set about helping the new mother and searching for what we assumed were three missing calves. The calf that had just been born was our biggest worry - if we didn’t find it soon it wouldn’t make it.
By mid day we had not found the calves and had been unable to save the new mother. We were wrecked. Then Wendell had an idea. He is a member of Upper Valley Search and Rescue and he called his team members who were training to use their new heat seeking drones. They were kind enough to come out that evening and use their amazing drones to comb the surrounding fields, hillsides and hedgerows. No calves.
Before we wrapped it up for the evening Jonathan took one last walk to the bottom of the pasture where where the herd was resting in the shade of the pine trees. There, next to his mom, was one of the calves.
We went home feeling a little better, wondering how the calf had gotten past us and grateful to the folks who had helped us search. Having folks help out on a really bad farm day is the best medicine for a beleaguered farmer.
This morning Jonathan went back over bright and early to check the herd - this time there were three new calves!
Jonathan brought the newest calf that had lost his mother back to the farm and we will be bottle feeding it until he can re-join the herd.
Lessons learned ? Be grateful for your neighbors. trust mother nature and if the phone rings before you finish your morning coffee drink it fast.
This week the farm store will be stocked with arugula, lettuce mix, kale, rainbow chard, cukes, summer squashes, scallions, carrots , snap peas, radishes, tomatoes and new potatoes!
As always, we have a full selection of our pastured meats and eggs, local milk, yogurt and cheeses plus goodies galore from Marilyn's Kitchen. Freshly baked bread is available on Friday afternoons. You can also pick up bread on Saturday mornings.
PIZZA NIGHT Music this week features music from Brooke and Justin - a harmonious and talented duo we can't wait to share with you!
To make a reservation call the farm at the number below or email Margaret with PIZZA NIGHT in the subject line.
This Week’s Farm to Take Out Menu
Grown or Raised on our Farm and Cooked with Love
Smoked and Pulled BBQ Pork Shoulder with your choice of sides - Carolina Slaw, Caprese Pasta Salad, Green Goddess Potato Salad and Mac and Cheese
Our Farm-Raised Breakfast and Lunch Sandwiches are always on the menu!