Spring Murray Grey Pics!

These pics were taken this spring.

My Murray Grey Bulls

Here are my two Murray Grey bulls. The dark brown one is a trip! He thinks he is full grown!

Here are some pictures of my Murray Grey cows and calves. The calves are crossbred and sired by a Balancer bull. I don't know how I ended up with a calf with white stockings!

It's the Start of the Breeding Season!

My Murray Grey bull Bounce was turned in with the cows at the end of October. He really likes this time of the year!

Early Spring Pictures of the New Herd

This picture was taken when I turned the herd into a new pasture for the first time this spring. I have been doing a lot of work improving the water and pasture on the place. Even though the cows like wading in the ponds, the goal is to totally exclude them their access to those areas.

Here is a picture of my new Balancer bull. He is a Gelbvieh/Angus composite bull I bought from Thomas Mears, a Gelbvieh breeder in Middle Tn.
Here is a new MG steer calf resting next to a hay bale.
My first Murray Grey heifer calf...

I finally found a workable solution for the dog and the chickens. My partner Nate will keep them on his farm for awhile. That helps me out because he and his family can keep an eye on them everyday--something I couldn't do. Of course the aunts don't like the fact that the chickens, dog and sheep are now gone. They loved having them around but they understand that I just didn't have the time.

I bought 4 more Murray Grey cows and the original four I bought have all had their calves. They are prettiest things I have seen. Of course I am biased but their genetic background is outstanding as well. Their father was the 2008 National Champion for the breed. I have learned to tag and band them. It wasn't too bad. I have been out there just about everyday so they are used to having me around. I was worried about the youngest heifer because she was bred by another bull that has been causing some calving problems. I wouldn't have known that had I not decided to contact the breeder I bought her from about buying more cows. I immediately prayed over her while out in the pasture and asked God to allow her to deliver a small birth weight heifer calf with no problems because I could not be out all the time to watch her. I didn't want to lose her or the calf because she was a $2000 investment. I went out there Wednesday night around 10:30-11pm to check on the cows. As I walked across the pasture with my flashlight I heard a cow mooing every so often. I couldn't see her but my heart began to sink because I didn't want to find her struggling to deliver the calf. The longer a cow struggles, the less likely the cow and calf will survive the birth. As I rounded the tree line I saw the heifer standing looking at me and there on the ground a few feet away was a brand new calf laying on the ground. I checked it out, weighed and tagged it. It turned out to be a heifer calf that was born unassisted weighing 67 lbs. For those who don't know--that is a low birth weight. I have to say--God is GOOD and He answered my prayer in EVERY WAY. Talk about the favor of God!!! Needless to say--I drove home praising God the whole way back. I have named her Miss Extra Favor.

Well--it's been awhile since I posted but a lot has happened during that time. Two more lambs were born and I bought 9 Angus cows with calves at their side. Besides that I have also looked at buying a new bull, fought unsuccessfully to save Uncle Bob's sick bull calf, experienced farming in extreme cold and wet conditions, tried to keep a determined escape artist of a dog within his pre-established boundaries, saved a lamb that got caught in the fence, bought a tractor among other things.

After a lot of thought and angst, I decided to sell all of my sheep. It was a hard decision to make because I loved having them. Unfortunately, they required too much time and money. Mostly it was my lack of time that did them in. I was often out there checking on them 4-5 times a week. The hour drive each way was killing me and taking away from time with my wife and kids. My life was just too complicated. Add to that trying to deal with sticky situations surrounding a family farm when you are frustrated didn't make things any better. I think I am going to start seriously looking for another farm to lease just to simplify things. I am tired of all the flak and folks working against me knowingly or unknowingly. Maybe it's a case of too many cooks in the kitchen and too many folks taking advantage of the situation--I don't know. I do know that I have seen and experienced enough to know that I don't want any part of it anymore. Suffice it to say that there is no advantage to being a member of the family.

I feel more a peace now since I have made this decision. I'll keep the cows, chickens and dog as long as I can. Hopefully, I'll find something closer to Nashville within the next few months.