Thanking My Neighbors – A Calf Story

A few years ago, my husband and I purchased 20 acres of land and a few cows. Our plan was to work on being small farmers, the kind of farmers with cows, chickens, and eventually vegetables and fruits. We wanted to sell them to the local community in our area.

Our first year seemed to be an easy year. Our neighbors were a tremendous help, letting us run our cows on their land, saving us a fortune on feed costs. And there weren’t any problems. We thought we had this cattle farming business pretty well set.

However the next year seemed to be a bit different. Our calves even gave birth, and again, all seemed well. Then I noticed something about one of the new calves after he started walking. He didn’t go to nurse right away like the rest. He bumbled around, and then went to lay down. I figured it was a hard exhausting labor, so he just wanted some recovery time.

I came back a few hours later, and he was still laying in the same area, not having moved much from the spot I left him in. And his mothers udders were still very full. I tried to encourage him to nurse, but with no success. I checked him 4 more times that day, trying my best each time to help; it seemed he was starting to get around more. And eventually it looks as though his moms udders MIGHT have been nursed on.

I went out again the next day, but he was nowhere to be found, and his mother was grazing normally with the rest of the herd. Even with the little experience I had, I knew this wasn’t right. Eventually I found him, still in the same area as before, but he was even weaker. He must not have eaten anything, or very little if he had managed it. I knew I needed to intervene.

But what could I do? My husband and I were the only ones in our family that had ever farmed or even raised cattle. I needed some outside help, so I joined the California Cattlewomen, and I sent them a letter asking for a call list of the other cattle farmers in the area. As I waited for them to respond, I asked around my community for help, and a friend told me to connect with a man named Loren Oest. He is our neighbor just down the road! I was told his family were great people to know in the cattle industry. So, I wrote him through Facebook.

Loren got back to me incredibly fast, even though he was busy doing his own work. He took some time to talk to me on the phone to answer the questions I had, and he gave me some help on how to take care of my little calf.

Then, I got a letter back from the president of my local Cattlewomen Association, and she gave put me in touch with her husband. He took time out his busy day to ask how the calf was doing and if I had questions. He also had just finished his work with his cows, and was willing to take time out of his day to give me help. He gave me some more very useful information, that helped us through the rest of the birthing season.

The calf is doing well now. It was amazing to actually see him suckle for the first time. He skipped around with enthusiasm, still on shaky legs, but the first energetic frolic I saw since he was born.

I am really thankful for everyone that has helped us so far, and I am happy that they have been so friendly and willing to help us new farmers. There are so many people willing to help each other in Ag. I am happy to be a farmer.

We look forward to becoming those experts that will help the other new people in the AG industry.

Iona Kellison