A Sad Day on The Homestead

May has not been a easy month.
It has been filled with problems and challenges.
Yesterday, when I went out to check the livestock I realised we had a sickly calf.
We were hoping it was bloat or grass tetany. Both treatable (within reason).
For those of you that don't know, Grass Tetany is the leading cause of 'in paddock' cattle loss, and mainly occurs from late Autumn, into early Spring.
It is a magnesium deficiency in the blood and without adequate magnesium nerve and brain function is effected. It is fairly uncommon in calves however.
Also, I do have 'mineral lick blocks' dotted around the paddocks.
So none of my livestock should be deficient in anything.
A few things were tried throughout the afternoon, and overnight. All failed.
Here in Australia (farmers) tend to use the expression "if you have live ones, you have d**d ones".
I was horrified the first time I heard the expression, but it is a realistic one.
So this afternoon a poddy calf will be delivered, and the job of trying to bond Mum with a different calf will begin.

[@Skellibobs]

Awww poor baby 😢

[@NE_Victoria_Australia]

I know. It is never a nice thing. :-(

[@AmberLeitner]

So sad 😞

[@NE_Victoria_Australia]

Yes, it was sad. Poor chap. He had never thrived though, like the others. But I never thought he wouldn't make it.