Wilga Farm Stay, Donnybrook
What a BIG day I’ve had. Big as in learnt lots, did new stuff, had a heap of fun and I’m exhausted. Let me explain.
As part of being able to stay on the property at Wilga Farm Stay I help with chores and others jobs around the farm while Steve works on-the-line.
A few days ago we herded the sheep up to the shearing shed so they could be shawn. At the same time we separated the lambs from their mothers to wean them. After being shawn the sheep and lambs were placed in separate paddocks. With that done it was decided to separate the calves from the cows as well.
That’s where we get to today’s fun and games.
Herding cows
Step one when moving the animals is to drive the fence line of each paddock before moving them in to it to check for holes in fence lines and appropriate gates are closed. The cows seem to know when the ute approaches they are either moving paddock, which to them means fresh stuff to chew on or they are going to the stockyard.
Today their destination was the stockyard which involved galloping through one paddock, going through the shearing shed yard, down the back fence line and in to a smaller paddock that feeds in to the stock yard.
Caretaker Brett set up the path to be taken and when the first gate was opened, the cows happily ran in to the new paddock and follow me in the ute to the next, then down the back fence line which they like to get up to a run. My job was to slow them down a bit down there by zigzagging slightly down the track. Worked a treat!
From there I lead them toward the stockyard all the while Brett is following along at a walk, jog pace closing gates and fences behind the herd.
The herd easily went into the yards – high five number one!
Sorting cows from calves
Next job was to herd the cows into one section of the yard and calves in to another. Now, to be clear these beasties weigh anywhere from 300kgs to over a tonne. So, pushing them and patting them on the butt to get them moving is not that simple and if not careful could mean getting kicked or crushed. Saying that, they are cautious of humans so tend to move away, however to get them go where we want involves patience, words and a plastic pvc pipe to tap their rumps and coax them along. As Brett explained, our energy or stress level impacts the animals so we just took it easy, put pressure on when we could and backed off when needed.
An hour later the herd was separated – high five number two!
One job turns in to three
Just like when living on the boat, sometimes one job can turn in to more. Brett noticed a calf had lost its number tag and none of the calves had their farm ID button tags. With them in the yard it made sense to get it done. We corralled them into the runner and one by one secured their heads in the CHOMPER. It’s not actually a chomper but I don’t know the actual term. It’s a frame that holds the animals head in place so Brett could attach the eucalyptus disinfected button tags – all 18 of them!
Some of the calves went easily and didn’t really react to their new earring while others moo’d loudly and their tongues curled out. Our priority was to be as calm as possible and to get each animal through as quickly as possible to reduce their stress. Gosh it was a muscle building exercise in the sense of moving gates in and out to shuffle the calves further along the runner and out the other side to another yard, re-loading the tag gun and repeating the process again and again. Very satisfying to get them all done – high five number three!
Separation time
With the cows and calves separated the next job was to herd the cows to a nearby paddock, after checking the fence line of course. That went smoothly because they knew the process and were happy to be in the field with fresh ground food to munch on.
High five number four!
The calves however were a different story. The initial plan was to move the calves back up to another paddock where they had come from but after a few dozen tries it was clear we needed a new plan and a lunch break. Back in the stock yards the weeners went while Brett and I recharged.
A new plan
A break makes all the difference sometimes. New plan! Brett decided to move the sheep down in to the far front paddock and then herd the cows in to the same paddock. That way all the adults would be together and then we’d work on getting all the weeners together.
That meant checking a couple of paddocks and opening gates to provide a thoroughfare. The sheep knew the game and once we got them going with me in the ute – in the air con – and Brett walking they soon got the gist and headed exactly where we wanted them.
High five number five!
The cows were a slightly more challenging affair with three mummas calling out to their not so little babes in the stock yards and stubbornly sticking to the fence nearby. While Brett called the remainder of the herd and shepherded them in to the same paddock as the sheep I tried unsuccessfully to distract and encourage the stubborn mummas to turn from their not so little babes and follow the herd. But they were having none of it so I helped Brett with the main bunch and then together we managed to call and coax the others through to the far paddock.
High five number six!
Such a big day and gosh was I tired. But at the same time I was very satisfied with what was achieved and yes I slept like a baby.
Last step
The next day it was the lambs turn to join the calves.
After shearing someone had the bright idea to leave the funcles and grandma – named Honey – of the sheep herd with the lambs. The funcles think they are dogs and come when they are called while Honey doesn’t get swept up with herd drama. All this meant the lambs easily followed Brett and the funcles through the pre-checked path toward the calves while Honey followed up behind making sure everyone was accounted for. High five number seven!
Now that was a busy day – most days are not that busy but plans can change. Being able to help out on the farm means Brett and Nat can focus on other farm responsibilities and even just sit and enjoy a cuppa. It’s a pleasure and privilege to be here, being given the opportunity to try new things, learn new skills. I’m very grateful to be here.
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