Calf born on New Years Day represents new start
A couple of young Pilot Pointers got a late Christmas present in the form of a new calf on New Year’s Day.
Chloe and Samuel Davis, Pilot Point teacher Judy Nelson’s grandchildren, enjoyed the very early birth of one of Nelson’s calves at 8 a.m. that morning.
“It’s not the greatest time for it to be born, but we keep it warm,” Nelson said. “A good mother is the best thing, having her taking good care of it. Not all cows are good mothers, but I have a really good one, and we make sure there is lots of hay and shelter around and a little video camera keeping an eye on the barn making sure everything is OK.”
She explained that calves are normally born in the spring, when the weather is more hospitable, although a January birth has its advantages.
“You like to see them in the spring, but that’s just how it worked out for us,” Nelson said. “One advantage to having it at this time is when the calf is weened and you get the nice fresh grass coming up, it’s better on the budget when you have a small farm.”
Chloe and Samuel will add the newborn to their menagerie of critters.
“We do this with them all the time,” Nelson said. “They are definitely farm kids. They raise rabbits and chickens—a lamb they’re bottle feeding right now. They have puppies and dogs and pigs. They’re around animals all the time.”
She explained the kids, who live right next door, benefit from spending so much time outside with their quadrupedal companions.
“They get an opportunity to enjoy the new life that is born on their farm and on mine,” Nelson said. “They spend a lot of time getting to hang out with all the little animals.”
