Three down, 84 to go!!

Last night was exciting.  We did a test night drive through the fields with Matt, checking for any newborn calves or cows in labor.  The wind had blown hard ( over 30 knots) all day, so lots of drifting snow- and it all looks different in the dark! We made all the rounds, including over to the willows where the cows get water during the day.  No signs of impending births.  When I got up this morning, first thing, I looked up and saw a cow away from the others, up higher.  Then saw something by her- got binoculars and sure enough, a newborn calf.  Shortly after, Matt arrived and was bringing hay up for the herd with the tractor when he saw him.  So we met up with Matt. Mom and calf seem OK.  Got some straw laid out on the snow, and brought mom and calf down closer to the ranch, but left them out.

 Matt leaves for a music gig up in Columbus, MT tonight ( group is called "Poultry in Motion," and they are being filmed tonight by Discover Channel). Betsy and I will  do afternoon, evening,  and midnight checks.  As he walked away, Matt said "It's all yours!"  To which I replied, "oh, let's not put it that way".

The first born "preemy" calf, happy in the straw

Snow flurries have picked up to pretty serious snowfall, so Matt has called and asked that we pick up the calf and move it short distances, enticing mom toward us, eventually moving calf and cow through a gate and ultimately into a barn.  So we have cancelled plans for a cross country ski at the B Bar Ranch today, and will see how we fare managing the new calf and mother, as well as checking the rest of the herd up through midnight.