Caustic Burno
Well-known member
Hit Lake Nacogdoches and enjoy be hard freeze by Saturday.
Hello from Deep East Texas
- Thread starter gman4691
- Start date
OP
OP
For any that have followed this thread from the beginning…A few years ago when I took on the primary role of taking care of the place and the cows, the cows were fairly wild. A little re-domestication was in order mostly using cubes. Fast forward to now: was feeding from the tailgate with the missus driving yesterday - it was getting dark fast. One of the recently purchased red angus cows was following a little too close…at one point, she literally had half of her head in the bag while I was pouring it out. I'm to the point of considering getting a cube caddy and building a rack for it so it can be used on the rear forks of the tractor (don't have a utv)…I think it's safe to say they have gotten used to me over the past few years. They used to scatter when we would go down there…now I'm to the point of having to fight them off…lol…never seen anybody that happy to see me…lol again.
On a related note, I was pouring out cubes on foot a few weeks ago and the big ol' 1800 lb. brangus bull in his haste to get a spot ran right smack into me (right on the left butt cheek)…I still had about half a bag…I flew about 15 feet, landed with a really nice shoulder roll and came back up onto my feet…didn't spill a single cube - not bad for an old man…lol…nothing injured but a little pride…but the perfect stuntman shoulder roll made it "not so bad". This experience is also the reason I will now feed from the back of the truck when I can find someone to drive…otherwise, it's just me on foot with the cows…on those occasions, I try to make enough distance between me and them to get one bag poured out before they get there…that way they are distracted while I pour out the next bag…yeah, I think a 200 lb. capacity cube caddy may be in order in the near future. That red angus cow isn’t aggressive but she is enthusiastic when the cubes show up…thought she was going to climb up into the bed of the truck with me at one point.
On a related note, I was pouring out cubes on foot a few weeks ago and the big ol' 1800 lb. brangus bull in his haste to get a spot ran right smack into me (right on the left butt cheek)…I still had about half a bag…I flew about 15 feet, landed with a really nice shoulder roll and came back up onto my feet…didn't spill a single cube - not bad for an old man…lol…nothing injured but a little pride…but the perfect stuntman shoulder roll made it "not so bad". This experience is also the reason I will now feed from the back of the truck when I can find someone to drive…otherwise, it's just me on foot with the cows…on those occasions, I try to make enough distance between me and them to get one bag poured out before they get there…that way they are distracted while I pour out the next bag…yeah, I think a 200 lb. capacity cube caddy may be in order in the near future. That red angus cow isn’t aggressive but she is enthusiastic when the cubes show up…thought she was going to climb up into the bed of the truck with me at one point.
OP
OP
Fast forward to today...had the wife driving the truck with me on the tailgate pouring out the cubes. Noticed one cow lagging behind the rest. After putting out the feed, drove around to take better look...lo and behold, she dropped a calf right in front of us (I knew that momma cow was looking pretty "full-figured" - another month or so would have been nice but I ain't complaining - some others are looking pretty big, too...looks like there may be a few early birds this go 'round). So, this one makes it two early bird calves...sigh. Guess the girls didn't get the memo regarding my preferred calving schedule...lol. Momma went straight to cleaning off her baby...within a few minutes, it was trying to stand up...haven't gotten close enough for a good picture or determine whether it's a boy or girl.
Ordered Stull cube feeder today (should be here in about 2 weeks due to holidays)...now to determine how best to build a rack for mounting on rear hay forks of tractor. It's only a 200 lbs. feeder so probably about 3 feet wide...building a rack for it and an extension for the handle shouldn't be too terribly difficult. Have most of the material I will need on-hand...about 3 or 4 feet of 4" square tubing would be nice. I'll have to dig around here and see what I can find. Then start out 2026 firing up the welder again. Might build the rack out of pipe to mimic the rails on a UTV bed...which is what the feeder is designed for...putting on my thinking hat. Pretty sure building the rack will be a lot cheaper than buying a UTV...lol
Ordered Stull cube feeder today (should be here in about 2 weeks due to holidays)...now to determine how best to build a rack for mounting on rear hay forks of tractor. It's only a 200 lbs. feeder so probably about 3 feet wide...building a rack for it and an extension for the handle shouldn't be too terribly difficult. Have most of the material I will need on-hand...about 3 or 4 feet of 4" square tubing would be nice. I'll have to dig around here and see what I can find. Then start out 2026 firing up the welder again. Might build the rack out of pipe to mimic the rails on a UTV bed...which is what the feeder is designed for...putting on my thinking hat. Pretty sure building the rack will be a lot cheaper than buying a UTV...lol
Last edited:
OP
OP
refresh my memory, are you living ON the farm now? If not, how far away is it from home?
You know you can control calving SEASON - don't let them exposed to a bull except when you want babies.
You know you can control calving SEASON - don't let them exposed to a bull except when you want babies.
OP
OP
Yes, I am living on the farm…I don’t mind some early calves…just like late winter - early spring better…might have to separate ol’ Romeo for the next calving season and close that window a bit. On the upside, the black headed vultures haven’t been around much lately…have seen very few since the first cool spell…hope that continues…
OP
OP
OP
OP
The light colored a calf is the first from his momma (around 2 yrs. old)…I show no record of a the black calf’s momma having one last year…she may be the one whose calf was killed by the buzzards…never was able to determine whose baby that was.
OP
OP
Merry Christmas to all.
OP
OP
Looks the storm Christmas Eve night (or very early Christmas Day) brought another little black calf. Haven’t gotten close enough to see whether it is male or female.
OP
OP
Finally got a pic of early bird #3…the other shot of two calves has one born on Christmas (right) and little early bird #3 (left)…both little bulls…the light colored one I posted earlier is hanging out with momma and the rest of the cows.
Neighbor came by yesterday and said some of my cows were getting into his backyard (not upset or angry - just giving me a much appreciated heads up)…went down there (in the rain) and herded them back through then closed them off from that little patch until I can get repairs done. Fixed one hole today - finished at dark. Will get the other one when I'm off on New Years Day. Nothing gets you moving faster that the phrase "the cows are out"…lol. Both holes caused by trees on neighbor's side right beside the fence being uprooted in a thunderstorm the other day. The root balls came out of the ground right below the fence…sigh…another one of those fence repairs that have to start with a chainsaw…his side of the fence is about a 50' wide swath of brush along the back edge of his yard that stops right at the fence so any work on that particular stretch involves cutting the overhanging and protruding limbs before actual repairs to fence can be done…sigh…mighty wet out there even on high spots like this particular one…sigh
Neighbor came by yesterday and said some of my cows were getting into his backyard (not upset or angry - just giving me a much appreciated heads up)…went down there (in the rain) and herded them back through then closed them off from that little patch until I can get repairs done. Fixed one hole today - finished at dark. Will get the other one when I'm off on New Years Day. Nothing gets you moving faster that the phrase "the cows are out"…lol. Both holes caused by trees on neighbor's side right beside the fence being uprooted in a thunderstorm the other day. The root balls came out of the ground right below the fence…sigh…another one of those fence repairs that have to start with a chainsaw…his side of the fence is about a 50' wide swath of brush along the back edge of his yard that stops right at the fence so any work on that particular stretch involves cutting the overhanging and protruding limbs before actual repairs to fence can be done…sigh…mighty wet out there even on high spots like this particular one…sigh
Attachments
Last edited:
OP
OP
Two more spots fixed on the same fence today…in pretty thick brush. Got the little 200 pound Stull Feeder assembled, as well. Now to build a rack to mount it on the rear forks of the tractor…not to mention devise a good way to operate the handle from the tractor seat.
I look like I've been fighting a cat after cutting through all the dang greenbriar. One of those deals where there was no way to "finesse" it…it was a full blown battle…lol…probably didn't get one scratch from the barbed wire…it was all from the common greenbriar (smilax rotundafolia) - the bane of my existence…can't even look at the stuff without getting scratched up and it was thick in the area of those two fence breaks…Life goes on.
Will probably let the girls snack on the rye grass in a hay pasture for a day or so this weekend.
By the way, here's wishing everyone a safe and prosperous 2025.
I look like I've been fighting a cat after cutting through all the dang greenbriar. One of those deals where there was no way to "finesse" it…it was a full blown battle…lol…probably didn't get one scratch from the barbed wire…it was all from the common greenbriar (smilax rotundafolia) - the bane of my existence…can't even look at the stuff without getting scratched up and it was thick in the area of those two fence breaks…Life goes on.
Will probably let the girls snack on the rye grass in a hay pasture for a day or so this weekend.
By the way, here's wishing everyone a safe and prosperous 2025.
OP
OP
Ok…yesterday, the missus sends me a text message saying we must have a water leak as indicated by a higher than usual water bill…checking the digital meter, it indicated a leak. She walked out the water line but was unable to determine the location of the leak (everything is wet and muddy from recent rains). I walked the line when I got home from work and determined the leak was in a valve box. This morning I bought some sharkbite fittings, gathered some tools and set out to make repairs (this is the CTS water line installed in February). After removing the valve box, digging out some working room, & bailing the water out of the hole, I found that sharkbites weren't used on the ends on the ball valve (of course)…but the ball valve was cracked so another trip to Lowe's to get a 1" ball valve. Brought it home and reassembled everything then replaced on line, pressured up, and double checked everything…success!
But the wife said she thought she saw another new calf. While putting out hay, mineral blocks, & dewormer blocks, I saw eartag #1 nursing a calf (that would be the new one)…however, there was another newborn a few hours old right there with them and #1 still had afterbirth hanging. My suspicion is she had a double ovulation therefore fraternal twins (a somewhat rare occurrence)...I could be wrong…Will have to watch the interaction over the next few days to make sure both are hers. Whether it's hers or not, there are now 5 new calves on the ground. Of these two newest arrivals, one is a heifer…not sure of the other but I think it is a bull - haven't gotten a good look. Both will go to the sale barn later this year. #1 is a good momma cow and proven producer…hopefully she will not reject one of them…she's got plenty of milk.
And they are all enjoying some young, tender rye grass this weekend.
Topped the day off with a some free goodies from Tractor Supply…don't know what the occasion was…
But the wife said she thought she saw another new calf. While putting out hay, mineral blocks, & dewormer blocks, I saw eartag #1 nursing a calf (that would be the new one)…however, there was another newborn a few hours old right there with them and #1 still had afterbirth hanging. My suspicion is she had a double ovulation therefore fraternal twins (a somewhat rare occurrence)...I could be wrong…Will have to watch the interaction over the next few days to make sure both are hers. Whether it's hers or not, there are now 5 new calves on the ground. Of these two newest arrivals, one is a heifer…not sure of the other but I think it is a bull - haven't gotten a good look. Both will go to the sale barn later this year. #1 is a good momma cow and proven producer…hopefully she will not reject one of them…she's got plenty of milk.
And they are all enjoying some young, tender rye grass this weekend.
Topped the day off with a some free goodies from Tractor Supply…don't know what the occasion was…
Attachments
Last edited:
wbvs58
Well-known member
Most people here have much more experience with taps freezing than me but I find the old screw in gate valves are much more resistant with cracks from freezing than ball valves if they are in a vulnerable position.
Ken
Ken
OP
OP
This one couldn’t have frozen - hasn’t been that cold. I’m guessing a factory flaw or this wet ground shifting around.
OP
OP
And it appears the suspected twins are indeed, twins belonging to Eartag #1. If any of those cows can handle twins, she most certainly can. She doesn't appear to be rejecting either one and has a bag full of milk. Both looking healthy although I suspect the female will be a freemartin.
The missus and I went down there today and saw a 6th calf that had to have been born early this morning (2-3 am)…another baby bull - no pics yet. That makes 6 so far with a few other momma cows looking like they are getting close.
Here's hoping the little ones can stand up to the overnight lows being forecast for this week. They've got some good cover in the form of cedar trees and brush…plus some left over hay they can nestle down into.
Additionally, the girls enjoyed the little rye grass snack. Repaired water line is holding.
Wind has turned cold…so, here we go…cold air coupled with humidity…welcome to winter in east. Texas…a cold muddy mess…sigh
The missus and I went down there today and saw a 6th calf that had to have been born early this morning (2-3 am)…another baby bull - no pics yet. That makes 6 so far with a few other momma cows looking like they are getting close.
Here's hoping the little ones can stand up to the overnight lows being forecast for this week. They've got some good cover in the form of cedar trees and brush…plus some left over hay they can nestle down into.
Additionally, the girls enjoyed the little rye grass snack. Repaired water line is holding.
Wind has turned cold…so, here we go…cold air coupled with humidity…welcome to winter in east. Texas…a cold muddy mess…sigh
wbvs58
Well-known member
Fair enough, the crack is exactly where my ball valves will crack when they freeze. I have one at the back of my house at the moment, it is good when off, good when fully open but spurts water when half way open.
Ken
simme
Old Dumb Guy
Ball valves generally have two seals - one on each side of the ball. When the valve is closed, water is trapped between the two seals. No where for the expansion to go except to push on the bronze body. Other type valves generally have only one sealing surface. Expansion on each side is back up and down the pipe.
OP
OP
@simme has got it right inasmuch as the design. Closed ball valves are susceptible to cracking in freezing weather when closed. I still prefer them to gate valves. Gate valves will, sooner or later, have problems with leaking at the packing nut causing it to leak unless fully opened or fully closed…fought that for four years working with plumbers during college years. Even the angle stops that supply water to sinks and lavatories (they’re just a type of gate valves)…and they are generally indoors where freezing isn’t a problem…I guess there are pros and cons to both types but both have their applications…for my needs in this particular case, the ball valve was the better option…the above ground valves I’m using are gate valves (hose bibs)…we don’t have extended periods of freezing or below freezing temps or permafrost down here but can have enough freezing cold at times to be problematic with water troughs and other above ground plumbing. As mentioned before, this particular crack couldn’t have been the result of freezing…I suspect a manufacturing defect is the most likely cause in this instance.
Rafter S
Well-known member
Some years ago I got home from work and discovered a water leak in the pump house, near the pressure tank. It was too late in the day to go to the hardware store, but the Tractor Supply about 10 miles from my house had recently opened, so I went there to get the stuff I wanted. I gathered up the pvc fittings I needed, then started looking for a piece of pipe. The guy who worked there pointed me outside. I finally found it, and it was the size I needed. It's too bad they only had 10 gauge.
I put all my pvc fittings back and got enough galvanized parts to fix it.
