Feb 15, 2016 3 min read

It’s been cold. Have you noticed?

For what seems like forever, though has probably only been a few days, the weather has been bitterly, bitingly cold.

So you know what happened next, right? Our cows decided this was the week to start having calves.

We watch them pretty close once we know their due dates are approaching. We like to lock them into a pen filled with hay when we think they are going into labor, just in case.

“Just in case” refers to the slight possibility we may have to assist with the birthing process. In years past, we have had to attempt to corral an agitated mother in the middle of hard labor, and that is not fun for anyone involved.

We were watching one cow in particular for a week or so.

This cow had last year’s first birth, too, which in and of itself is not a sign of anything. But her udder filling up with milk and her propensity to walk off by herself were indicative of something happening. Still, we weren’t sure, so we didn’t lock her in.

We should have, though, because on Saturday morning, a beautiful little heifer was on the ground.

My oldest daughter carried the baby up to the pen, and the mother followed. Mom was given grain and water, and the baby received a vaccination.

Then, we let them figure each other out, checking occasionally to make sure the calf had eaten.

That afternoon, when I made the last check of the day before dark, I noticed another cow striding with purpose toward the back of the farm. Fortunately, the winter feeding grounds are restricted somewhat, so she couldn’t get too far. But she decided she wanted to stand as close to the creek as she could, which is another sign of distress. (Cows like to be close to water when they aren’t feeling well.)

I know all too well what can happen if a cow has a calf close to the creek. Sometimes, in the thrashing from birth or from trying to stand, they tumble into the water. I’ve had to dive into frigid water on more than one occasion over the years to pull a newborn calf from the icy liquid.

That is also not fun for anyone involved.

So, we locked her into the pen for the night. And, happily, her heifer calf was born in the piles of hay instead of the freezing water. She was still very cold, and she still needed a vaccination.

My husband drew up the syringe as I checked her over.

Before he made it the 20 feet to stand beside me, the needle tip was frozen solid. He had to replace the tip to be able to administer the medicine.

Finally assured she was OK, we went back to the house to address the other problems the weather caused – frozen water lines in the basement and at the barn.

I’ll sure be happy when this predicted early spring arrives.

Laura Zoeller can be reached at zoeller5@verizon.net.