In anticipation of quadrupling my grazing land this spring, I purchased a springing heifer and eight steers on Saturday. The springing heifer, which my daughter has named “Cleo,” is a lovely Charolais-Angus cross that will drop her first calf in mid-February. I bought her from Messer Farms, a very impressive operation in Staunton, Virginia. I could have chosen a registered Angus, but like the larger size of the Charolais because she will be able to carry a Holstein calf - I eventually hope to breed up to a dairy operation.

The calves are mixed-breeds. One of them is blind. I took it because they offered to let me have him for a big price break. I may have made a mistake - it will be hard to train him to electric wire. I may have to hamburger him come grazing time in late March.

I’m finally getting comfortable with this whole business thing - I didn’t even blink when I wrote out a check for $4500.