The agony and ecstasy of calving season....

So, I can't get enough of calves. Yes, I know, Belties are known for their excellent fertility - most will produce a calf every year (and some twice per year) for 14 or 15 years. And the whole point of raising beef cattle is to get calves. So on one level, this shouldn't be a particularly exciting event. But there is something deeply distressing about walking down to check on your stock only to see a lump lying motionless on the grass - but boy is it super exciting and fun when you walk over to it and it sits up! Talk about making a person smile! 

We found this little cutie pie on a Saturday morning walk recently - this was taken only a matter of hours after she was born. And boy is she a character. She frolicks around the paddock and dances and kicks up her feet. There is no possible way that you could watch her and not be joyful and happy. Mum is calm, and quite happy for us to pat her calf, and be near both of them when they are feeding. Oh, the joys of calm quiet cattle.  With excellent bloodlines, and a lovely quiet temperament, we are looking forward to having these two with us for years to come. And in case you haven't seen enough of little Piper, here is another pic - just to make you smile.