An Update On The Red Poll Girls

A lot has been happening with the Red Poll girls. They spent much time this spring in the north field:

And then Gracie had her new baby, Gladys:

Annie and Gladys became best friends, so much so that I wondered if both were nursing from one cow. They weren't, but you can imagine how they adored each other:

It took about a week, but I was finally able to coax all the cows, including Gracie and Gladys, back across the road to the south field:

Gladys and Annie continued to be best friends, and even slept next to each other:

Gracie was very proud and protective of her beautiful little calf, Gladys:

I finally managed to get Annie locked inside the barn without her mom and the neighbor came over to give me a hand. We wrestled her into the squeeze chute, tied a rope halter on her and tattooed her ears. Then I quickly popped an ear tag on her right ear. She put up a mighty resistance and my neighbor was impressed with her strength and muscularity. Afterwards, Annie quickly returned to her life of comfort and calm. Here she is, showing her new ear tag and the insides of both ears smeared with green tattoo ink, alongside her mom, Violet:

Gladys grew quickly and learned to run and leap like a deer:

The cattle have some trees in the south field, under which they can find cool shade on a hot day. Annie and Gladys, as usual, slept side by side:

I plan to sell both calves. I hope I can find them a home together, for they sure are best friends:

I expected Annie to no longer trust me after the tattoo and ear tag wrestling match, but she seemed none the worse and continued to come inside the barn whenever I gave the big girls grain. She sniffs the grain and watches it, but hasn't eaten any yet:

I've taken to calling the cows in for grain twice a day, as I did during the coldest winter months. They don't really need the grain, but all are either lactating or pregnant, so I figure a little extra nutrition is a good idea - and also, the grain and handling keeps them tame and friendly: