Weather wise it’s been a bit topsy turvy here lately. While we’ve been very fortunate to be under a few very patchy, earlier storms in November and at the beginning of December, the much needed follow up rain has not eventuated yet. The green shoots have turned blue and we are looking forward, like most of Queensland,  to a proper wet. Our rainfall records indicate 2015 was indeed on the drier side with 527mm of rain recorded, a mere 50% of our long term average. As I type, we are being tormented with misty showers rather than the 80% chance of 17-52mm forecast. One thing for sure, in this era of prolific weather interpretations and websites, if you don’t like one perspective there’s surely another to read!

With an abundance of clear blue skies in the week leading into Christmas, we decided to round up some cows and calves to get the branding muster underway. We promised the kids that Santa was watching and that they would be on the good list for sure.

Amazing to watch how each year the kids are able to step up in their roles. Branding really is a team sport and everyone has their position to play. Tess castrated the male calves, while Rob was relegated to holding the back leg. Andrew has taken on earmarking and dehorning while Lachlan has retained the branding job. Hamish loads NLIS tags into the applicator and is also responsible for vaccinations. Adelaide is a pro at keeping the calves flowing through, and is most often found on the slide gate. Eliza is happy keeping the race full with me down in the back yards.

I took the liberty of videoing proceedings in between keeping the calf race full.

https://vimeo.com/150571675

It’s a good feeling to have a wedge of calves branded, almost like starting the new year on the front foot rather than a step behind. Now we pray for a lengthy wet season to grow abundant green feed so that the calves grow into sappy weaners.

In the meantime, our little team of kids certainly earned  their Christmas pudding!

 

 

 

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