I think everyone was enjoying the fifty degree temperatures today including these Herefords.
Herefords on a Warm November Day
Picture of the Day for October 23, 2013
These Herefords are wondering what happened to the 70s and sunny October weather as they don’t like the low 30s, grey and snowflakes anymore than I do.
Herefords Looking for Warm Autumn
Picture of the Day for June 28, 2013
This Belted Galloway calf looks as disgusted that the rainy days as I am. The Belted Galloway is a heritage beef breed of cattle originating from Galloway in the west side of southern Scotland, adapted to living on the poor upland pastures and windswept moorlands of the region. The exact origin of the breed is unclear although it is often surmised that the white belt that distinguishes these cattle from the native black Galloway cattle may be as a result of cross breeding with Dutch Lakenvelder belted cattle. It is the belt that gives them their name.
The distinctive white belt found in Belted Galloways often varies somewhat in width and regularity but usually covers most of the body from the shoulders to the hooks. The white contrast to the black coat, which may have a brownish tinge in the summer, sets the breed apart with its striking color pattern. Because of this distinctive look the cattle are also called as “Oreo cookie cows”.
“Oreo Calf”
Picture of the Day for May 20, 2013
After the storm moves through and the rain stops, the cows and calves leave the shelter of the barn and resume grazing and playing in the pasture.
After the Storm
Picture of the Day for February 24, 2013
I bet these Red and Black Angus cattle are happier in the summer than winter, at least I would prefer looking at green grass again.
The naturally polled Angus were developed from cattle native to the counties of Aberdeenshire and Angus in Scotland. Hugh Watson can be considered the founder of the breed as he was instrumental in selecting the best black, polled animals for his herd. His favorite bull was Old Jock, who was born in 1842. Another of Watson’s notable animals was a cow, Old Granny, which was born in 1824 and said to have lived to 35 years of age and to have produced 29 calves.
The pedigrees of the vast majority of Angus cattle alive today can be traced back to these two animals so I wonder how many of these Angus are from Old Jock and Old Granny. I can’t say that having Old Granny on a pedigree makes an exceptional sounding pedigree!
Old Granny’s Kids?
Picture of the Day for November 24, 2012
These Herefords look like they are heading south like the geese after another cold night. Or they may be wishing it was summer like I am!
Herefords Heading Out
Picture of the Day for November 19, 2012
The sun was out early this morning and with the continued above average temperatures this week, the image of summer popped in my head. An image of a warm summer evening with cattle grazing in the pasture, the moon rising as the sun was setting and swallows chasing bugs above the barns roof.
Cattle Grazing on Summer Evening
Picture of the Day for October 20, 2012
The Herefords are wondering what I’m doing taking their picture and interrupting their grazing. Course the colored leaves caught my attention first and seeing the cattle were a bonus.
Curious Herefords
Picture of the Day for August 18, 2012
The image and history of the old west tug at many hearts. I know it tugs at mine, whether it is because of the image of western scenery, the hard working cowboys that had grit and stood their ground, or the quietness of the range filled with the sounds of cattle grazing instead of motorcycles, cars and planes roaring loudly in a hurry to get somewhere. It was a simpler time, even though living conditions were harsher and required a lot of physical work, but you knew your neighbors and helped each other when trouble happened.
And trouble could happen if a cowboy got hooked by a longhorn. Countless cowboys perished while working; the stampedes, thrown from a horse, range wars or just being in the wrong place at the wrong time. But I suppose they rather would like to go out in the blaze of glory than to be an old crippled cowboy who could only ride a rocking chair.
But for all the glory of the old west, I’m not sure I would want to push a herd of longhorns on the trail. I have had my share of bruises just from little calves without horns!
Longhorn Cattle
Picture of the Day for July 12, 2012
It has been usually warm here this summer and this bunch of cows were hiding under the shade of an old willow tree yesterday. Normally there is a little creek next to the tree but that is bone dry right now.
There are calves in the long grass but you never know what else might be in the grass as I had a snake sunning itself on my path to the pond this morning but I didn’t get a picture since I sort of jumped so no snake picture, just cattle today.
Cattle under Willow Tree
