Highs and Lows

There can be hardly a better start to the day than an absolutely stunning sunrise. The morning sky was almost cloud free save for a large cloud. It was tinged with white with pink and orange blended into it. There were vapour trails criss crossing each other each with the same colour scheme. Such a pity my camera wasn’t at hand. Isn’t that often the way?
We’ve had three problem cows this week. One was unable to get up post calving, partly due to milk fever and an injury. We have been hoisting her up each day so that she can get the circulation going. Once up she gets about. We have been keeping her in a paddock by the parlour so that she doesn’t do the splits. This morning success, she is able to get up on her own – hurrah. It makes all the effort worthwhile. Another has a twisted stomach or as the vet describes it, a D A (displaced abomasum). The vet is operating on her today. A third is off colour, the vet is unsure what is the cause.
The vet isn’t coming until late morning, so there is time to check the cattle on the hill beforehand. This is a favourite job as the views are a treat, particularly on a day as this. The Rea Valley runs southwest to northeast. To the east it’s possible to Haughmond Hill near Shrewsbury. Panning round it is possible to catch a glimpse of The Stiperstones, then round to The Kerry Ridgeway and finally the hills near Dolfor above Newtown. Such a vista!
Two vets arrive, scrub up and prepare to operate on the already tethered cow. An incision is made on each side, hands are thrust inside. One says, “just as I thought it’s a D A”. They pull and tug to get the offending piece of anatomy sorted out and then proceed to sew the cow up. Later in the day the cow starts to pick at some silage.
That was all yesterday. Two of the three cows are on the road to recovery, which is a 66 per cent success rate. Had this been a GCSE that would have been an A*!