Muppet Hair!

If you were to look back a few posts, you would see that I purchased a couple of Jersey cows.  What would a beef cattle grower want with dairy cows?  I was hoping to get a good nurse cow in the event one of my stock cows wouldn't or couldn't accept a calf.  The duo of dairy debutantes were dubbed "Cream" and "Sugar".  Cream was supposed to calve in late February, Sugar a little later, around mid-March. I watched them over time and noticed that while Cream was beginning to get that matronly look, Sugar was holding on to her girlish figure.  The fear that one of my Jersey girls was open (not pregnant) began to creep in.

When I bought the pair, the dairyman showed me his breeding schedule and due dates for the cows.  These 2 were picked partially due to the fact that they should calve within a few weeks of each other.  Let me explain

Why am I so sensitive?

something at this point, If I were buying bred beef cattle, I would have had them preg checked by the vet.  Nobody wants to pay for a bred cow that is not really bred!  Why didn't I get these 2 tested?  I did think about it on the way home.  I  tried to remember if the dairyman said he had them preg checked, but I didn't think he did.  So, I watched Sugar with suspicion.

My hopes were laid firmly on Cream to give me a heifer calf at that point.  I watched her udder swell and her belly grow until she rubbed both sides of the barn door when coming in for feed.  This week, at last, a baby Jersey calf!  A baby Jersey bull calf.  (I seem to have as much good luck with dairy cattle as I do with the beef variety.)  Cream is a proud mama!  Since it was only her second calf, I was happy to find the little guy up, clean, and slurping milk. Sugar, on the other hand seems to feel a little jealous.

My name is Cinnabon!

The little Jersey herd continues to grow here on the farm.  Cream mews and leads the new calf around.  Sugar mews and follows the calf.  The new baby enjoys the attention, gets all the creamy milk he can handle, and has a cool name he can brag about.  It only seemed natural to stick with the coffee shop theme.  Hello Cinnabon, welcome to the funny farm.

Lot 157
Balancer Homo Black Double Polled
OWNER: Speedy W Ranch
75% Gelbvieh 25% Angus
RUMG 153X

Lot 211
PB Gelbvieh Black Double Polled
OWNER: Speedy W Ranch
RUMG 18X

About the Bulls:
Prior to delivery to the test, bulls are sorted and culled at home
Bulls are brought in at weaning to be fed together at a Regional Development Center
Bulls are grown with their longevity in mind - fed for 3# ADG with high roughage ration
Bulls are culled again prior to catalog for poor gain, conformation, disposition, etc.
All bulls have passed a thorough breeding soundness exam prior to the sale
All bulls are tested Negative for BVD -PI3 & Trichomoniasis
All bulls are tested by Igenity® for Carcass Markers and Coat Color
All of the bulls are Guaranteed Genetic Defect free and any bulls with ‘at risk’ pedigrees have been tested Free
Ultrasound measurements, ADG information, frame scores & scrotal measurements will be available on a supplement sheet on sale day.

Starbucks has made its stance on the law known, and anti-gunners don't like it!  When the latte sipping liberals protested guns being allowed in the coffee shop, Starbucks sided with the law, "We abide by the laws that permit open carry in U.S. states.  Where these laws don't exist, openly carrying weapons in our stores is prohibited."  Case closed, right?  Wrong!

Those against U.S. carry laws are boycotting all Starbucks stores on February 14th in an effort to change the company's policy.  As a gun owner, I feel a need to support Starbucks and their adherence to the laws of the land.  Don't expect to see me buying a Cinnamon Dolce Latte, but if you see someone with a sidearm ordering "just coffee" and leaving the change, we may have bumped into one another.

The Salt Creek Blog Talk Radio Show is back for another year.  The first show of 2012 focuses on one of my favorite subjects... food!  As if food were not a great enough subject, we will be discussing wild food.  Call in live and on the air with suggestions, recipes or questions.  Hank Shaw is an expert at transforming natural and native foods into culinary delights. 

Hank is the author of "Hunt, Gather, Cook: Finding the Forgotten Feast".  He states, "My hope is that the book will help open the world of foraging, hunting and fishing to those interested in food, but who may have never hunted mushrooms or picked up a gun or cast a rod and reel before."

We want to enjoy our food.  Can a diet of foraged grub, wild game, and plants be appetizing?  This time I will answer... Yes!  You will agree after a quick look at Hank's blog "Hunter Angler Gardener Cook" .  The recipes found here are definitely not dried deer on a stick.  You will find an awesome array of tasty foods, from Pheasant Piccata with capers and lemon, to vegetarian fare like Sicilian Sun-Dried Zucchini, sauteed with mint and chile.

Hank has written articles for Field And Stream, Food & Wine,  and other publications.   His blog has received accolades and awards including The Bert Greene Award as Best Food Blog from the International Association of Culinary Professionals.

Join us as at 7 Central Time on February 12th, when we discuss "The Forgotten Feast".

Sale Catalog

Supplement Sheet

Sale Lot Videos