2006

December '06

Happy Holiday Wishes

The end of the year is upon us and there is a lot to reflect on. It has been a very difficult year for many - weather, cattle & corn prices, global indifferences, war, and personal challenges. For us, we have also had our share but choose to think of all the new friends we have made and a bright future. We would like to take this time to thank all of our customers, friends, and fellow Braunvieh members for their support. Braunvieh cattle are making great strides as a superior breed and we are glad to be a part of that.
As the new year dawns let us all raise our glasses to this great nation, the business we are in, our friends and family, and the hope for health, prosperity, happiness and that our troops can come home soon safe and with a peace for all nations!

It was a sad day here yesterday. Gordy, our purebred bull had to be put down due to a gut rupture. Guess it proves that no matter how good your facilities, your vaccination program, and care things can still happen. I suppose that when you have smaller numbers of animals you get to know them better and his morning growl greeting every day will be missed. We will have some spring calves out of him and look forward to that.

A nice warming trend has come in just in time for us to do some breeding and get some Christmas shopping done. Before we get too busy with Santa Day activities let us take the time to wish you all a very happy and safe holiday season. May we all receive the greatest presents of love & peace.

                           Nina having a little Christmas fun!

WOW!! It's COLD! Guess that's a good thing with respect to the mud we had and killing those nasty bugs. The calves sure appreciate the straw we put in their houses and the wood stove is keeping us nice and cozy.

Well the first day of December sure came in like the first day of winter!! Rain, snow, and very windy! We missed the brunt of the snow but got 2 1/2" of rain first and sure makes it hard on the livestock and me.
Got some early data back on the two bulls in the IBEP test and they are doing fine.  The freezer was just about empty and with no steers left I took a yearling bull to be processed and graded last week and got the grading results back today - WOW! The data was very impressive with a .5 backfat, 2% KPH, 15.4 ribeye, yield grade of 1.65, grade of choice and a 62% dressout - not bad for a bull!

 

November '06

Breeding cows, sorting, wading mud and getting ready for the NAILE are the order of the day lately.  Thanks to Lonnie helping us get the cattle clipped - it was a long night and when the storm front came in the temperature dropped out the bottom!

We had a great time at the NAILE other than the weather and traffic! We got to meet and visit with several Braunvieh members,  see a lot of great cattle and visit with our friends.  Dutch Kennedy and his grandsons, Abbie and Joan Thorne were there to support us all and we are always glad to see them. Thanks to Tommy Clark, Bob and Marilyn Brinks and Stephanie Nelson for all the encouragement and help.

We were very pleased with our placings but felt like "klutzes" at times! Congratulations to all the winners and I think we all presented ourselves and the association in a positive way!

                                               

                                                                          

We placed 2nd with Gordy, Kami and Jade in their respective classes

                            

               Congrats to Bud's Star as Champion Heifer

Man it's great to be back home! The traffic was horrible on the way home and it just poured rain the entire time we had to load up and all the way home!! While we were gone Kayla decided since we left it was time to have her calf - a big bull calf and clear out as far as she could get in the wooded lot with wind, rain and mud! Thanks to our son-in-law Mike who took charge and got everyone in and taken care of. The poor 4-wheeler had to be rescued from the mud bog just as we were arriving home and both needed a good bath!

The rain has stopped for awhile but we're left with the mud and a lot of standing water. Most areas have some flooding in the state and it's making daily chores difficult. I don't think we own anything that isn't muddy and wet!
We are finally done with fall calving  and are ready to just settle in and winter everyone out.

Nina got some cute pictures of some of the calves.

                                            
                      GraceLynn                       Mr Coffee                        Freckles & his shadow!

We found an article published on "Cattle Today" that we think says it all about using Braunvieh


Cattlemen in the Southeast are learning first hand about the added value of Original Braunvieh. Just ask any one of them who has infused Braunvieh genetics into their herds and they will tell you about increased weaning weights, better replacement females, more temperate dispositions of offspring, and easier handling cattle. All of these characteristics are what makes Original Braunvieh the breed of choice for all cattle operations, especially the small breeder who must have the most return for dollar spent. Data from the Meat Animal Research Institute of the United States Department of Agriculture backs up these claims. Data from MARC concluded that:

• The 200 day calf wt/female exposed was 40 lbs. higher than other breeds.

• Females out of Braunvieh sires calved, unassisted, 94.5 percent of the time with 95 percent of the calves surviving to weaning

• Braunvieh had a higher efficiency of conversion of feed than other breeds.

• Braunvieh cows averaged 5,680 lbs. of milk in 200 days and their progeny averaged 558 lbs, of weight at 200 days.

• Braunvieh progeny had the highest adjusted 200-day wt. of all breeds tested.

• By 13.5 months of age, 94.2 percent of Braunvieh females will have reached puberty and by 14.5 months of age, 100 percent of Braunvieh females will have reached puberty.

• Braunvieh sired feeders have a larger rib eye area with less back fat, lower cost per gain, and a higher percentage of carcasses that grade choice and prime.

This research proves that even when selling on weight alone Braunvieh will be profitable by out performing all other breeds by having the highest adjusted 200-day wt. of all of the breeds tested. Combine this data with the real life results of carcass tests over the last twenty years and it is a simple fact that the Original Braunvieh breed has become an industry leader for carcass quality, feedlot performance, maternal traits and environmental adaptability.

It was a quiet Thanksgiving - we spent the first half of the day with Nina preparing food to take to her mother's house and the second half there eating and visiting. We've had a warm days lately and the farmers have finally been able to get the crops out and now the rains have begun again with a a lot of flooding.
Nina once again has decorated the entire house with Christmas spirit. It makes my old heart smile to watch her do her magic. It's too bad the whole world can't just take about two weeks off - no work, no  war and politics and just enjoy each other.

We had some nice folks from Bargersville stop by to look at calves that we met in Louisville and I've been halter breaking two. I bred three cows and it won't be long until we start flushing and breeding the others.

October '06

Well the hay is all in, the fall calving is about 1/2 done, everyone has had their fall vaccinations, the leaves are turning and there is a chill in the air. Fall seems to be coming in fast & hard, the football fans are happy once again (GO COLTS!) and we are mentally trying to prepare for winter. Mr Coffee is quite a character - every time I fire up the tractor he chases it and loves to butt at the round bales!

Busy day here with two calves being born. A really nice FB heifer- Ms Grace Lynn out of Ms Emmy and Northstar Elvis and a cute "Meyer" looking bull calf - Col. Freckles  out of Theena and our Reggie Bull.

WHAT?? That can't be SNOW!!! It's only the 12th of October!  xx#@***!!! Nina just got the Halloween decorations out - guess just take them down and get out Rudolph!

September "06

Where has the time gone?? We've just been so busy I just have not had time to work on this! The unusual weather this year has just turned everything upside down for everyone. Trying to put up hay and control pastures is a full time job!
We were happy to help some folks in Oklahoma in finding some hay for their cattle but I know it was a long and expensive trip but were glad to help. Nina & I celebrated our anniversary this month, hosted a birthday party for one of the granddaughters, and went to a 50's party for my sister and husband - got to dress up and listen to the "oldies" music!

This last week we worked all the cattle' shots , palps, weighing and sorting. We are in preperation of sending some bulls to the IBEP bull feedout test and getting ready for the NAILE. The paperwork is enough to drive one crazy!
We had our 1st fall calf and had one come breach and upside down but lost that calf. I know it happens but we hate it when it does.
It just keeps raining here about every 3 - 4 days and certainly keeps us frustrated to get things done. We've built a lot of new fencing, installed some new drinkers, a new palp chute, and took the time to attend several cattle sales ( of course had to pick a couple to bring home!)

Had another nice bull calf - Mr Coffee out of one of our Angus dams and "MO"

August "06

Ok - I'll admit it! It's been so stinking hot I just have not had the "ump" to set down and type! We've had the potential "show" cattle under the fans and misters and been doing a lot of the work in the early mornings and evenings. I've been helping our neighbor with building their kitchen cabinets for their new house and spent several hours in the shop. Everyone around here is gearing up for the "Brickyard 400", the State Fair, kids going back to school, and football. FALL ?? What happened to summer? The fall calves will be here before we know it.

Well, the heat wave has finally broken and things are a bit more normal. The pastures have sure taken a beating this year between the heavy rains and now the heat. The cattle didn't eat well during the heat but we didn't loose any either! The last few days have had a feeling of fall to them. It got down to 48 degrees last night! What's up with that??

If it's not burning us up it's raining! We located some cattle hay and are trying to get it to Oklahoma to friends in need. I just can't believe how dry it is out there and the fuel prices just make it overwhelming to transport! We have plenty of hay in our area but the problem is getting it put up without rain.

 

July "06
Where has the time gone? Happy 4th!! It's almost fair time and we will be cutting hay again. Granddaughter Kelley has been busy working the horses and helping wash calves.

We got a new "hand" to help with the chores on the farm - Nina calls him Woody!

Man it's been hot and humid! It's tough on the livestock and us old folks. Our cows sure do enjoy the creek when it's like this and I sure enjoy the A.C. When we get rain it has been thunderstorms so we have still wet ground, but the hay is still growing unlike many of our friends out west. Our prayers go out to them.

Lonnie Garrison and his children have been coming by and working and clipping some of the cattle in anticipation of upcoming shows.
                        Gordy getting a bath.

 

June '06
Hey! We're cutting hay! We had to dodge a few raindrops but got it up. Been busy halter breaking some heifers and watched the grandkids over the weekend.

Made a trip the west central Illinois on Friday and spent some time with Will Andras and checked out their cattle. Nice people and came home with a couple nice heifers. It rained over the weekend so spent some time working in the barns and gave vacinations to the calves. I got some calls from Keith Loveless and George Penry telling me that our Reggie bull we bred their cows to all had nice calves.

Fathers Day was somewhat quiet and we got to spend some time with our dads after catching up on some of the mowing.

Congrats to all the kids at the Jr. Nationals in Arkansas. Good job!!

Still cutting hay in between rains - we seem to get about 3/4" every few days! Quite a strange year with the southwest in drought conditions and from here to New England just getting rained on every week.

Have been clipping and working calves but the heat cuts down on time.

    Nina's lilies are beautiful again this year   

Jazzy in the jungle  

 

May '06
They say April showers bring May flowers and I guess we will find out. I guess it's better talking and thinking about the weather than all the problems in the world today. Between all the politics, war, high gas prices, terrorists threats and the like it's enough to make you "lock & load"!
The fields are alive with the roar of tractors planting. The cattle are so happy being in the pastures and the calves are just ecstatic laying in the grass and sun.

                     
    Regina                      Satin, "Sid", Jade             Lace

        Happy Mothers Day!

Very busy with birthdays, Mothers day and graduations.
Granddaughter Kelley on her day  
Son Scot also graduated from his college but won't have commencement until August.

We had a nice Memorial weekend - no rain for a change! Have gotten the "girls" rebred and the calves are doing great! The crop farmers in the area have really taken a beating with all the rain and are replanting the fields and we still haven't had a chance to cut hay. I did get some stone hauled in and built some board fencing.

Here's a picture of Nina with our Bodie calf - what a hunk!  
        (the calf) but she's not bad! Ha

April '06
Well April certainly didn't come in like a lamb! We had a lot of stormy weather the last few days and last night just about topped it off - high winds and tornados hit everywhere and we were not spared. Fortunately, only metal damage to roofs and blew out the end on a portable shed and strung debris throughout. Today is going to be frustrating with rain and more wind to hinder the assessment and repairs. We were very lucky compared to others throughout the midwest and southern states. Kinda makes you wonder how much more the farmers and ranchers across the country can take.
Spring has finally arrived! The grass and the calves all growing. That's the good news - storms and more storms just keep pounding us!
We've been working some of the calves in between rains and things are going well.
                  

I hate to sound so repetitious but it seems the weather has just gone crazy with all the storms and tornados. It seems as though every other day the midwest is bombarded with them. We had to pull all the cattle up due to flooding out in the low areas and just got missed again by 2 tornados Easter Sunday. Our friends out west can't get a drop of rain and we get it all!
We are closing out the month just like it came in with a lot of spring showers. Local farmers are struggling to put in the crops between showers and the yard is growing like there's no tomorrow! Still finishing up calving and preparing for the breeding and haying season.

March / 06
 

Been hitting it hard seeding & fertilizing the hay ground and pastures - a little light snow should set things in motion.
Had another calf this morning - a nice heifer out of Buds Bell & Black Ben.
The weather has gone nuts again with wind and rain. There have been a lot of sleepless nights with all the heifers calving. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all our friends and others who are in the wild fires in Oklahoma and Texas - wish I could send them some of our rain.
Some of our calves sunning themselves on Saturday, March 18th.

                         

                                   

Finally we can put away the winter coats and things are beginning to green up! We've had our last calf for about a month. So far they have all been very nice and we have an average birth weight of 76lbs with heifers in the lead!
April's Fool Day is going to screw us all up with having to move our clocks forward.

February / 06

Busy, busy, busy! Taxes, reports, ordering supplies and making plans for the year. Finally our knee deep mud has and turned back to frozen tundra. Our New Design dam calved a few days early with twin bull calves! Double wow! It's going to get busy here soon.
I read this post from "Red Robin" on Rancher net and just couldn't let it go unnoticed and say :"How True"

    I checked calvers tonight about dark. I had a heifer walking with her tail out but no water bag. I decided she had just started so I went and ate supper. When I came back the whole bunch had moved half a mile up the creek and bedded in grass on dry ground. I found my heifer laying with the rest on the outside of the bunch in the moonlight/headlights. I moved the truck around her and saw a brand new baby still in the water bag except it's head. It's about 40 with no wind . I shut the truck off to watch and make sure the overly calm heifer would take her new prize. After a minute or two of the baby flopping it's head around the new cow got up and followed the well trodden path of a million mothers before her and started cleaning the calf off. It was quiet and most of the rest were still bedded down except for some inquisitive bovine midwives who occasionally checked on the new member. I listened as the brand new mother sweetly , lowly, talked to her new baby. I like that noise. I know you have all witnessed the scene but the serenity struck me . I though of the birth of my own children. Life is good.

We had the opportunity to spend some time with the Thornes in Oklahoma again and had a great time. Joan & Abbie are the best! It's always a fun and learning experience. This is one of our latest additions R5456 Kami - a Fullblood fancy heifer out of Northstar Elvis.

January / 06

Wow! What a year! Fuel costs out the roof, devastating hurricanes in the south, drought in the midwest and southwest, tornados here and wild fires in Texas and Oklahoma! Our thoughts and prayers go out to those involved. The weather here has been really strange this winter - extreme cold early on and now mild temps and more rain and mud than we are used to. It's easy to complain but now it's time to get the taxes done- ugh! and get ready for the spring calving season.

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