teamwork

This past weekend I traveled back to Iowa...again!!  My beautiful cousin Sarah married her boyfriend of 8 years on Saturday (and I thought I had it bad waiting for 4.5 years, yikes!)

I left Lincoln on Thursday evening, after my final class in ALEC 805.  Although I greatly enjoyed the Ag Ed and Leadership course, I am glad it is over.  Whoever thought summer classes were a good idea obviously did not take one!

Friday was a busy day for Chasen and I so we got up at 7:00.  He had hay to rake, and I needed to pack and do morning chores.  For those of you that don't know, Chasen and his brother Kirn raise show calves and replacement heifers.  This year at the Iowa State Fair Stevenson Farms will debut their stock at the prospect calf show!  I am super excited for them and can't wait for show day to roll around, although it will be here before we know it! 

Anyway, Friday morning I needed to sort off the three steer calves in practice of day weaning.  We have found this is least stressful for the calves as they are able to be reunited with their mommas in the evening.  Luckily two of the calves escaped from the pasture and were walking in the barn as I came out of the house!  I mean how does that happen?!  I must have supreme sorting skills!  Little did I know the third calf would present more of a challenge.

I brought the 5 cows and red calf, that I like to name Leon, into the corral.  At this time Tamra, Chasen's mom came out of the house to help.  Tamra in her pajama pants ran the gate while I successfully sorted off the calf from the cows.  I was feeling pretty good since it only took one real try.  We then moved a gate to herd the calf into the barn and he strolled right in.  We were so busy celebrating our success that we didn't see 50P creeping up to the gate. Next thing I know she pushes the gate over and joins the calves in their stalls.  OMG!!!  A mere diaster was now upon our hands!!  I could hear Kirn and Chasen yelling at us because the panels would get knocked over, wood chips strewn across the barn, and even worse escapees from the North side of the barn!  It took us a few minutes and with barking cheers from Roxie (my adorable corgi I had been holding this entire time!) we were able to shoo 50P back into the corral as Chasen was driving up the lane. 

Man what a day and it was only 9:00! Tamra and I shared a good laugh as we walked back to the house to get some coffee. 

From this experience and others, I have learned no matter the skill or knowledge level, a helping hand is always valued on the farm.  I must say I was sure glad to have Tamra's that morning!