The Red Poll Ladies (And Their Sons)

This year has been disappointing with the cattle. Only one pregnancy resulted in a purebred calf from artificial insemination, and only two pregnancies resulted from a bull in residence for two months last year. Three cows did not calve at all, one had to have her calf taken away, and there are still hoof problems which I seem helpless to do anything about. Nevertheless, the girls look healthy and happy:

Four of them usually will come into the barn each morning for a bit of grain, and I am trying especially hard to convince the two bull calves that the barn is their friend. I need them to come into the barn on the day their new owners pick them up. I'll then close the door on them so we can load them up when the buyers arrive to get them:

Summertime, and the livin' is easy. It's a peaceful, comfortable life they all lead:

Amy is the cow whose giant udder required me to take her calf. She's over it now, and little Lucky comes in with her each morning to investigate the barn and eat a bit of sweet feed:

Rocket has grown so big he's nearly as tall as his mother. At the rate he's growing, Lucky may soon catch up to him:

Apparently my unimproved pasture has plenty of good food to eat, for both cattle and horses have obesity problems:

They love to collect beneath the Box Elder tree for shade and to rub against each other to get rid of pesky flies:

Scarlett came into heat a week ago (see Amy's head up on her back), but it was on a Sunday so I didn't call the artificial insemination man. If she cycles at 21 days, it may always be on a Sunday, but I'll try to work something out with the A.I. technician:

Despite the problems, they are an impressive looking herd and people love to watch them from the road:

They are also friendly with me and a pleasure to have on pasture:

Lucky is beautiful young bull calf, and I suspect he will sell quickly when the time comes:

Scarlett and her grown daughter, Rosella, still often travel together, even after all this time: