Calf Weaning 2012 (take 2)

Here we go again - the mob stringing up to the yards, led by those whose calves were sold.  The bulk of the mob is still well back so there is a small risk that the cows in front will turn around and come back out.  They didn't today.

The end of a very long day, calves have been drenched for internal parasites (worms) and had a clostidial vaccination.  The steer calves have also had their NAIT tag (National Animal Identification Tracing Scheme) in their ears.  This system is going to enable electronic tracking of all cattle beasts from birth to death (that's the theory anyway).  At present all cattle sold for meat can be identified by the yellow tags we've had to use for sometime, and unfortunately there will be problems with reading these radio tags as the "powers that be" opted for a low frequency tag (cheaper in the short term), but the Australian's have already found it doesn't work.  So will be interesting to see how the new system goes - so far all we know is it is very very expensive to buy tags.  Mainly due to the levies imposed to run the scheme - and that would be unusual wouldn't it!!!

Mum's patiently waiting to get their calves back - sorry girls aint going to happen today.

The calves sold well at the sale too.  Steers were a little disappointing in the price as compared to others of the same weight, but a real bidding war on our white faced heifers (Angus crossed with Hereford), as two buyers who had bought them before wanted them again - quite gratifying really when so much time and effort goes into producing good stock.  And pleased with the way  the cull Angus heifers sold too.