White Belly Button?

Abe kind of snuck up on us today. It was pretty routine on the Aitch St farm this morning. Hurry up to feed the critters, cause I'm running a little late for work. Tonight, more of the same. Home a little late from work, so hurry up outside to do the chores so I can go in and get some dinner. But wait. What's that in the field? Another black calf. And look at that! It has a white belly button, just like Norman. So here is the first picture of Abe. She's kind of dirty. Mom gave her a mud bath I think. But what the heck. She's as healthy as a ......? So another half blood Lowline for the Baron Cattle Co. Five so far this spring and still counting. Two bulls and three heifers. Stay tuned for more pictures and more babies due in the next week.

The day after.

Here is the welcoming committee! After a scare this morning, because we couldn't find the little rascal, Norman, the family came over to welcome him to our world too. Of course, Chad is always intrigued with the Chickens. Trina thinks he is nuts, but has finally come to understand why he calls her "chickee". Be Careful what you kiss.

Newborn on Aitch St.

Well, it's spring so its what you would expect....babies. I was away overnight, so my wife was feeding the critters this morning when she discovered a new born. It is the first Lowline born on the Aitch St Ranch. Its a half blood lowline to be precise. Momma a Hereford, or Whiteface and the old man is Bubba, a registered fullblood Lowline. It's Bubba's third offspring as the first two were born at our sister ranch, (actually it's my brother's ranch, but go figure, I call it a sister ranch) in Yakima. If you go to our website at www.baroncattle.com you can see the pictures of Art's (that's what we named him) half brother Rastus who is actually a full blood, not a half blood like Art. So, remember to keep the distinction between a half blood and a half brother. (In real human life, Art and Rastus are full brothers.) Art's other relative in Yakima is his half sister, who is actually a 3/4 blood. Her name is Shirley, named after Art's full sister in human terms. Now most of you don't give two hoots about any of this do you? So why in the world are you wasting your time reading this. From now on, when you come to this blog, just commit to looking at the pictures and don't waste your time reading. But do check back soon for more pictures, because we have more babies coming any day!

P.S. We have a problem with the name. Fortunately, the birth certificate was not completed as of this writing, so we can still change the name. Which we must do. I have been reminded that I made a commitment to a person who is very important to me that I would name the first male calf born on the Aitch St Ranch, "Norman." So, Norman it is. We can call him "Norm" for short, or if you want, you can call him "Bill." Just don't call him Art, because that is not his name. I really am glad about this too because I was really getting confused with all the half blood, half brother stuff. I think this really keeps it much simpler. And now Trina won't have a cow.

More ancestors.

I know, I know, if you look at the time, you see I just got done with my first post, but I'm just so excited about this whole thing that I can't help myself. I know you too are waiting with baited breath to find out more about the ancestry of the Lowline herd being kept at Aitch St Farms and other places in the State of Washington. (Occasionally you may find one tied on a lawn at Wiser Lk., the home of one of my partners, and there are a few roaming the Yakima Reservation also, the home of another partner.) Anyway, I digress. This big bad fella is Tequila. Tequila is a bull. But what I am going to tell you about him is no bull. Tequila was the National Champion Lowline Bull at the Royal Easter Show in Australia in 2000. Imported to the US that year, he was the record selling bull in Denver for $22,500. Since making his home at the Bar J Ranch, he has sired more class winners and major champions then any bull in the breed.

And why do you care about this? Because Tequila is the Sire of Evergreen, the Matriarch of our little herd of little black angus on our little farm. Can you even believe it? With royal ancestry like that, it has to be good. When Evergreen has that little baby calf in April '07, it is going to be cause for celebration. Bubba's it's daddy, Tequila it's granddaddy and Brenton it's great grand daddy. WOW. What a pedigree. Crank up the barbque...it's about time to party.

Ancestors

Here is a picture of a little black dumb bull. He lives in New Zealand. The reason I have included his picture here is that we have a number of offspring from this guy. And for those of you who know me, I'm a real family guy. So, old Brenton here, is now part of our family. Kind of. OK, he's not part of our family, part of him is in our family. His genes are anyway. Well, if you didn't care, why are your reading this. So you must care about family too. So read on. Ol' Eliza Park Brenton is actually the granddaddy to three of our critters: Willow, Reba and Bubba. Did I say Bubba. Yes sir. He's da bull. He's the King of the Hill. He's the patroller of the pasture. Bubba is the daddy to be of all the babies we are anxiously awaiting this spring. So take a look at Bubba and come back soon, where I will be sharing more exciting pictures and historical information about the animals you will find at the "Aitch St. Farm"