Highland Cattle at McMoos

It's Snowing.....

2011-08-14T20:11:00.000-07:00

Well, the polar blast that the weather office has been promising has arrived... and boy has it ever. We have never seen snow like this before...and it's getting worse.

I look back on my photos only taken the other day in the sun, and pine for it. As lovely and gorgeous as the snow is, man you are over it after 24 hours. And your heart goes out to our hairy moos out there who are truly over it now too ...but they look amazing out there and I can only be thankful we have Highlands who can cope with these weather extremes. Even our wee 3week, bottle feed girl, Miss Molly is out there playing soccer with the 3 dogs and Greg.... and then comes and stands at my kitchen door licking the snow flakes that drop on her nose. Very cute.

As much as I would love to chat, the snow is falling faster and thicker, so I had better get out and feed out to the guys down here and then attempt to get to the moos on lease land up the road. Thankfully our ute is 4WD, so I should make it !!!??

Have fun and keep warm and safe.

talk soon

Lesley

Congratulations Bonnycoft McMoos

2011-02-02T19:53:00.000-08:00

Exciting news, Bonnycroft McMoos little 4month old heifer, Skye has won the Supreme Champion Lifestyle award at the Levin Show 22 January.

We went up to the show to help Laura and Graham out with the 3 animals they were showing. As we hadn't been to the Levin show before we thought it would be nice to see where it was and who attended etc and catch up with everyone we hadn't seen for awhile. The show was running a separate Dexter Show, a Purebred Beef Show and also the Lifestyle Show. It was run differently to other shows we had been to, as the 3 shows were intermingled. This did work out well as it meant that if you had animals in different age groups, then you weren't running into the ring, doing your thing, then running out and tying that animal up, grabbing the next and running back out with that one. You had a gap in between to give yourself time to readjust yourself and your next animal.

The judge for the day was Marty Crayfer. Although I hadn't come across him before, he has high regard in the judging and beef world plus travels the world judging Beef animals. He was great as he explained why he put animals where and gave advise. He also seemed to judge the whole picture, as in their horns, behaviour, on top of muscle, balance, walk, feet etc and has a very good understanding on Highlands and what their characteristics should be. This is what we often struggle with in the competitions, as a big majority of the judges, judge our highlands on what a general beef breed should be. Where a lot of characteristics are the same, some are not, plus you do have the extra details such as hair and horns and the Highlands of course being a smaller breed.

Now back to the show: there were some amazing animals in the ring, (including a recent Meat & Wool cup winner), beautiful Mums with calf at foot, lovely yearling girls .. so we were blown away, when Marty announced young Skye as the Supreme Champion. It takes a very confident judge to give such a young animal the Supreme prize. So congratulations Skye, and the Bonnycroft McMoos team, exciting stuff. The other young boy, MacDougal McMoo also took the judges eye. He thought he was a beautiful young boy, and explained to the crowd that he had lovely muscle structure and balance and looked to have a really neat character. Both Skye and MacDougal are the first off spring that Bonnycroft have had with their stud bull Fergus McMoo, so they should be very proud of their achievements this far.

Another exciting event has also happened for Aimee and Trent from GlenMor McMoos. Their 4th child was born on 26th January, and its a wee girl. Her name is Sophie Lee Guy and is doing everything a baby should do. So congratulations to the Aimee, Trent, Damien, Charlee and Toby on the arrival of Sophie.

Well thats me today, better go sort dinner. Until next time, enjoy and have fun...

Lesley

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL

2011-01-17T16:36:00.000-08:00

WOW, its 2011 already. Baby Moos time... exciting. I hope you all had a great Xmas and are enjoying the start of the new year. I do apologise to all my readers on the lack of Blogs entered over 2010. I will try and do a lot better this year, I promise.

At the moment, we are busy preparing for winter, buying in baelage. This year we have decided to buy the small baelage squares that are equivalent to 2 bales of hay, but the same size as 1 bale of hay. We like to stick with Baelage rather than hay, as it has so much more nutrients in it for the moos, as the hay is really only a tummy filler. We are fortunate that a farmer down the road has started doing them this size instead of the huge big ones. So we are doing trips every couple of weekends, to pick up a trailer load at a time...so hopefully by the time April arrives we will be all sorted. We are feeling a few nerves as to what sort of winter we will have after the horrid wet one of last year where it seemed we were continuously swimming in mud, but cross fingers it will be a lot kinder.

On the moo side of things, we have had our first baby arrive for the year, to Janny T and MacKay. She had a wee dun Boy. We have called him Benson McMoo and he is quite a character. For Janny's first baby, she is extremely relaxed. We have a few more due in Feb/March so looking forward to seeing them arrive safe and sound.

There has been some very exciting news recently with Glen Mor Fold. Their girl Polly had TRIPLETS.....and whats more they were all girls ( full bloods). Now I am not sure if there have been Highland Triplets in NZ before, let alone anywhere else in the world. Unfortunately one of the wee girls did pass away a few days later.... she was going down hill, the vet was called but she didn't make it thru the night. A real shame, but not too surprising really... So very exciting and maybe one for the record books. At the moment, Aimee and Trent (Glen Mor)are awaiting the birth of their 4th child... due on the 24th... so they will certainly have their hands full this year.

Back in October, we made our way up to Whangarei to go to Amanda and Grahams wedding, (Georgia Highlands.) I had the lovely job of being Bridesmaid. Greg was kept busy with being MC for the day. The day dawned just gorgeous and went thru exactly as that, all day. Everything went as planned and was so much fun. Amanda looked stunning and Graham was a treat in his Highland Kilt. Amanda and Graham planned the wedding with a Scottish theme, as Graham is a "Douglas" .... so we had kilts flying, jigs jigging, moos mooing and bag pipes, piping... !!! What more could you want. It was really great to meet some new McMoo highland owners and hear their stories about their babies they adore. So a big congratulations to Mr and Mrs Douglas on their nuptials...!!! and thanks for the great weekend.

We are off to help out Bonnycroft Highlands, Laura and Graham, at the Levin show this weekend. We haven't entered ourselves but decided to go along and be helpers where required. We always love to chat with other highland owners and see how their moos are going and meet new owners and new babies. Always a busy day, but very satisfying to sit down with a cold beer or wine at the end, to review it all.

Well the weather forecast is telling us we are getting rain today ... but so far there has only been the odd spit.... its hot and muggy and our ground is very thirsty...so I hope that weather man is correct and we can get some much needed rain.

I will leave you now to go and put the moos back in their paddock that have been munching at the long grass down the driveway. So until next time, ENJOY and remember to Slip, Slop, Slap..... !!

Lesley x

I have just realised ...................

2010-06-24T22:00:00.001-07:00

Hello everyone again.... after I just finished the blog I have just done, I had a flick thru the blogs I have written and realised one big piece of news that I never wrote about.

This is MCMOOS huge Virtual show win....!!!

The virtual show was held last year and it covers the world stage basically. Everyone sends in photos, front, back and side of the animal they want to enter and they all get judged by a well known Highland judge. This time it was Glen Blume from the united states. There were 162 enteries from around the world and guess what.... Janny T McMoo WON !! and McGee McMoo came 2ND. Oh the excitement... we were absolutely thrilled of course and more than anything, shows that we are breeding these beauties right.

Another wet day - 25 June 2010

2010-06-24T21:27:00.000-07:00

Well its been awhile since I have sat down and written in the blog. Time has just flown by with so much going on. Here we are now, in the middle of the year... here comes Xmas...eekk. Winter has arrived and it seems like we have had it for awhile with all the continuous rainy days we have had down or up here, depending on where you live.

However on the moo side of things its been as busy as ever. Sales have been going strong and it really is the highlight of breeding these fluffy wee animals, just seeing the joy they bring to people, particularly new highland owners. I keep meaning to start a link referring to comments made from new Highland owners, as they are just so precious. That will be my new job for the beginning of this half of the year !!

We have recently had 6 moos delivered happily to the South Island, 1 starter pack to one family and another starter pack to another. The feed back from both has been very exciting and rewarding.. one new owner commented that this was the first time she has ever cuddled a cow, she was so thrilled and excited by it all. When you have been breeding them for awhile, you forget these points, that its just not the normal thing for people to have experienced.

Our McMoos team from the Waikato area, Glen Mor Highlands-Trent and Aimee have recently been at the Mystery Creek Fieldays, for 4 days. For those of you that don't know of it, it is absolutely huge. People from all over the island come to it and usually every year. The photos that were coming back to us here were like watching a cattle race of people going down the lanes 5-6 people deep. The 4 days were extremely busy and fortunately Amanda from Georgia Highlands, came down and helped them on the Thursday, which happened to be the busiest day and already many McMoo animals have been sold. Certainly a great one to put in your diaries for next June. Greg and I will be there this time, the first time we have visited, so very much looking forward to it.

Its also been the wonderful time of all the new babies arriving. We have a few more to go in the next month or so, but we really do hang out for the new arrivals. Even now, all these years down the track, we still wait like anxious parents when we see that mum is loosing up in the rear end and bagging up in the udders, waiting anxiously and betting with each other on what day the baby will be born. I just cant explain the wonderful feeling of seeing the new born calf arrive...then its down to sussing out its gender and then choosing the name....oh I love this bit.

Have a look on our "new babies" page of our gallery and also our "for sale" pages to see some of our new babies that have arrived over the last few months.

Well I think its time to put the fire on and settle in for another wet cold night...Moos have their baelage and look very happy with themselves..... one in particular-Katrine.... she is standing at the baelage trough feeding her face as normal, and baby Hogan is underneath at his very own feed trough, the udder, happy for once that mum is standing still for awhile, as he knows when shes in the trough there she stays!!!.

Keep warm and dry till next time... Lesley

MASTERTON SHOW - FEBURARY 2010

2010-03-04T19:45:00.000-08:00

Well another successful show under the belt, as they say.

McMoos have done well again, particularly with Maggie Mcmoo and her bulf calf Rowno, receiving the Champion Lifestyle Animal of the show. Pete, her owner, was beaming with this success. Then his boy calf, Finnan Mor McMoo once again received the reserve champion male of the lifestyle show....wow, a huge achievement for a calf. This is the 2nd time young Finnan has recieved this. So a boy to watch in shows to come. He is for sale, so if anyone is interested in a very friendly boy who has all the attributes of a great highland bull, let us know.

Then we had young Janny T McMoo in a large yearling heifer class and got placed 3rd, so that was great. And Mr McGee McMoo, not in such a good mood this day, too hot and boring having been pulled out of a paddock from all his girlfriends !!, but still came away with Champion Male Lifestyle.

Always great time to catch up with everyone. It was a much quieter day around the Show grounds, as for the first time they put the beef breeds on the Sunday, instead of the usual Saturday. But still a lovely family show and always nice to get under the trees after show for a nice cool drink.

Out on the farm, we have 2 big girls, Santana and Piper very close producing their babies. They are both as huge as house, particularly Santana, who looks almost comical, looking at her head on... ! We have all our fingers and toes crossed for heifers as it has been a rather strong male flavour in the air this season....hmmm something in the water maybe months ago.

The paddocks are really starting to dry up now as we haven't had a lot of rain in the last couple of months. We are hoping for a bit this weekend. But we certainly can't complain when you look at the Northland folks struggling with no water almost, and extremely dried up paddocks. A very hard part of farming.

Well till next time....enjoy and keep safe. Lesley

Conal McMoo Stars in the Rodney Times

2010-02-14T22:42:00.000-08:00

We have a couple of famous fellas amoungst us !!!

Yes its Conal and Shane..... Aren't they looking hansome....

This article was written after their big win at the Puhoi show....

Rotorua A&P Show - January 30/31st 2010

2010-02-01T19:45:00.000-08:00

This year was the first time McMoos has attended the Rotorua Show. As Rotorua is Trent and Aimees area (GlenMor) they orgainised the Marquee and its set up and Amanda & Graham, Greg and I decided we would come up to support them and help them with the display and enjoy the ambience of the show, set amoungst the beautiful old trees and meet up with fellow Highland owners who we hadn't caught up with for awhile.

Greg the boys and I, set off on Friday for a nice leisurely trip us the Island to arrive in Rotorua mid afternoon and settled into our Motel for the evening.

Saturday morning we went off down to the show grounds where we met Aimee and Trent who had arrived very early with their animals and all the display gear. They had pretty much sorted everything by the time we arrived so we just helped finish it off.

When Amanda and Graham arrived we were busy chatting with visitors to the Marquee about owning highlands, while they also enjoyed a pat and cuddle with the young calves we had there. Late afternoon, we decided we would have a small change in the position of the display tent. We felt we needed to move slightly sideways so we could be a bit closer to the main traffic flow. We persuaded the Daval highland people, Alison and David who were situated beside us, to do the same. So we helped pick them up and move them over as well. Right all sorted, finishing up time and out for dinner.

Sunday dawns and it had been raining all night and was still raining lightly as we left for the show grounds. On arriving we helped everyone sort out animals for the show ring, which was now going to be held indoors as the weather hadn't cleared. A bit of a shame, but at least they had the indoor option. 10am was the start time for showing, so we were just doing the finishing touches with the moos- Aimee, Greg, Mitch and myself were in our Marquee ready to move the calves over when we heard this horrific bang and crashing noise.... we jumped up and ran to see what on earth it was and very quickly came to realise it was a huge branch from the big oak tree next door to us and it had landed on Amanda's float and another breeder's 4x4 vehicle. When I say a branch, it was the size of a tree on its own, what an awful sight.... the photos taken don't show the true state of what we saw and the damage done. Our biggest worry then was running around trying to make sure that there wasn't anyone or animal stuck underneath the mess.... but a quick search showed no one was, thankfully.

The Rotorua show committee were great and quickly got into action with tapeing the area off and finding a chainsaw to cut it all away from the vehicles. Shane, a Highland Owner that had bought Amandas float down from Auckland for her with the animals, is an aborist, so was happy to put on the gear and get up and try and clean up the mess so the vehicles could be pulled out.

But by now it was 10am, and the showing in the ring had begun. So everyone downed tools and rushed over to the ring, composed themselves ready for showing.

The show was great and all the McMoos animals in the ring did fantastically. Annabelle took the Champion Heifer Calf. Maggie Mae got 1st yearling heifer with 2nd going to Tayla. Conal took Champion Yearling animal, with Maggie Mae as reserve Champion. Senior Cow, Alexandrite and her calf Osgar were placed 2nd, a fantastic result in a large class.

Once showing was over we sorted the animals out and decided that as the rain was still falling and the crowds had dwindled, we might as well pack up the Marquee and all head home. No one was in the mood to hang around.

The float was ok to travel, as its damage was all done to the roof area and sides.... however the 4x4 wasn't. (We think it will be written off). The show committee managed to track down a vehicle that could replace it, so the breeder could get herself and animals home.

But the thing that really sent us spiralling was the fact that we had been in that exact position of the vehicles the day before, with our Marquee. If we hadn't decided to move over slightly, I feel sick to think what would of been!! It would of been horrific.

We all got safely home and now reflect on the weekend. Apart from the drama on Sunday, the weekend was great and the highlight is always catching up with other highland owners and seeing how all their fluffies have grown on and who they have produced ... and just enjoy talking the talk.

Until next time...keep safe and enjoy the summer weather.

Lesley - Mental note to self = never park or sit under big old Oak trees!!!!

Levin Show - 23rd January 2010

2010-01-31T18:12:00.000-08:00

One of our clients, Peter Warmerdam from Mangaroa Valley, recently attended the Levin show, one that we havent managed to go to as yet, but hopefully next year we will.

After a night of rain, Pete started the day at 5.30am feeding dogs, chickens, pigs, ducks and walking puppies before he got to finally sort the moos onto the float. Finally setting off on the road at 7.15 he, arrived at 9 to a wet day in Levin. However by the time the showing got underway the weather cleared to bring a nice day.

Once off the float, he set to cleaning them up abit and getting ready for the ring. The show was well attended and lead to some quite big classes. Pete did really well with his young bull calf, Finnan Mor achieving Reserve Champion Male. Maggie with her bull calf, Rowno at foot got 3rd place in a large class of 9 animals and Ginnie in a class of 8, got 4th. So well done Pete for a great day. I would normally now say, "home to put your feet up until the next show" , but as I know,there is not a lot of time for putting feet up when you have a lifestyle farm, theres always something to do.... so I shall say,"carry on enjoying those lovely moos and see you at the next show".

HAPPY NEW YEAR !! 2010

2010-01-11T15:45:00.000-08:00

....2010 WOW. All the best for the year to come... and lets hope the economy sorts itself out... I feel it will, especially if we ignore all the negetive news bulletins and just stay positive !!

Now how do we say 2010...is it two thousand and ten, or is it twenty ten.??? I have a good friend who is telling me we must say twenty ten.... as when it was 1910.... we said nineteen hundred and ten and not one thousand, nine hundred and ten... (not that we were around then !!).... but it is a good point...so I am trying to educate myself to say twenty ten...does seem a bit weird, but I am sure I will get the gist of it. This same friend is also trying to teach me to say Toe Paw, instead of Towpo...for Taupo.... that I am finding hard...just cant come to grips with that one.... Right I have digressed long enough from the subject of hairy moos, so shall get onto that yummy subject.

All our moos are very happy with themselves at the moment. Lots of grass to eat, lots of visits from their human owners (us) and lots of brushes. Who could ask for more, I say?.

We are busy halter training a couple of calves at the moment who are going off to new homes. One with a couple of girls to a new family who are new to farming and another to a family who already have a Mcmoo highland bull, who they absolutely adore, in which they have been using him over their beef animals and c-grade highland girls. Now very excited as they have finally got their full highland girl.... so can't wait for her to be delivered in a couple of weeks time.

On the show side of things, our more northern McMoo Group breeders were together at the Puhoi Show just after xmas. They had the display tent there with some young highlands for everyone to have a cuddle with, so were kept busy all day as you can imagine...which is always lovely and good fun, especially meeting new people.

It was exciting to hear that one of our McMoos yearling bulls, Conal McMoo, who is now living north of Auckland with his new owners of just a few weeks, took out the show as Supreme Champion Animal and Tayla Mcmoo, bred by Georgia McMoos, took the Reserve position. Very exciting. Apparantly it was an extremely hot day, so by the time the end of the day arrived, they were looking like Roosters !!(the humans that is!).... so they were all very happy to get home (some had a couple of hours of travelling)...to a nice shower and a much deserved cold beer. As as for the moos, they were just happy to be back home with their mates and some fresh grass and a big nap. They are'nt all quite as relaxed in their show surroundings like darling Conal, who is so relaxed in what ever situation he is in, that after winning the show, he lay down on his side, rear legs elevated and went off into a deep sleep, virtually snoring.!!! Amanda commented to Shane (Conals new owner), is he alright?... and Shane said," oh yes, he always sleeps like that...!!!" Such a character.

The next show that we will be attending is Rotorua. Glen Mor McMoos will be there showing and with a display tent. Greg and I, and Amanda and Graham from Georgia Mcmoos are going to also join Trent and Aimee in the Display tent to help them out. We are looking forward to catching up with everyone and meeting new people. So if you are around or close by to Rotorua, come and along to the show, as we would love to meet you.

Right I will now go off and do some more halter training with our 2 young ones...

Happy New year again.... hopefully we will get to catch up with you at one of our display tents over the year and remember if you would like to come out for some cuddles... we and our other mcmoo group breeders, would love to see you.

cheers for now, Lesley

Monday Evening... Me and the moos

2009-11-23T21:31:00.000-08:00

I spent a lot of time last night in the paddock with some of our mcmoo team. I had just feed Abby Rose with her bottle for the evening and her gave her a brush and the others decided they would come and request a cuddle and a brush too...(just as well I remembered to bring the brush out with me!!!) I had to give Janny T a brush first as she has become the herd boss !! just like her mum. Obviously in the genes. Then over to Peigi...well young Janny was not keen on that. She needed the firm voice of "no" to remind her she needed to share. She took that on board and stood their in disgust, while Peigi had her turn. Then over to wee Georgie. Janny decided to try butting in on her brush as well, so received another 'no' from me, and this time she decided she would give up and go and carry on eating. Young Georgie stood there lapping it up, happy in the knowledge that Janny had moved off and wasn't going to get bossy. As I was brushing down her front she turned round and laid her head on my head and licked my hair..... she is such a sweetie.

Standing there amoungst these guys, on a gorgeous Monday evening, all I could think, was how lucky I was to be able to enjoy these beautiful animals and receive their love back with licks, nudges, moos and a big big cuddle.

A great way to end the day and very "de-stressed"...

Lesley

Glen Mor McMoos at the Te Aroha A&P show

2009-11-23T16:59:00.000-08:00

It was Glen Mor McMoos turn to be out at the local A&P show in Te Aroha. This was Trent and Aimee's first journey into the A&P display tent scene. They woke to a lovely warm day and headed off down to the show grounds and found their site, which was right next door to an.......Elephant !! Yes, you read correctly. She was retiring from the Auckland Zoo, so was visiting the A&P shows to say goodbye. It was full on Moo talking from 9am to 3pm and they finally finished up about 4pm. Apparantly the most common question of the day was, " what are they ??" and had one person asked if it was a Yak ? So it seems the folks in the Te Aroha district hadn't seen a lot of Highland Cattle in their neck of the woods.

In the tent were Max, Annabella and Maggie. They all behaved themselves and enjoyed the attention and cuddles they received, but were very happy to be home again in the paddock with their buddies.

So a great day was had by all and Aimee and Trent, you did McMoos proud. Thank you.

Until next time, Lesley

Georgia McMoos out and about at Waimate

2009-11-15T14:33:00.000-08:00

Well here they are at the Waimate Show Grounds entering their first Show for the season.

Georgia McMoos are our Northern Member of the McMoos Group. Owned and run by Amanda and Graham.

They had a great day. The crowds there are huge and it is a real typical country show. Everything is outdoors. No animals stalls, so all the sorting, feeding, grooming etc is done outside, tied to the fencing around the grounds. (so there is a lot of "Sun dancing" going on the week before, to encourage a fine day - and it worked, as Saturday dawned a lovely day, not too hot and no rain)

The photo above, is Graham and Humphrey Bogart McMoo in the ring (both their first time in the ring!) in the Yearling Bull Class. This is always a huge class and incorporates all Beef Animals. So young Humphrey at the age of 10mths was competing with bulls that were twice his age and TWICE his size...eeekk. However, the judge on the day, Drew Stein, who runs a Highland Consulting Business and has been in the beef business for many years, not just breeding Highlands but also Simmentals, had great things to say about young Humphrey. He made a note over the speaker, that he couldn't place the Highlands in the ring in this class, as their age went against them BUT if he was going to place a Highland it would be Humphrey. He went on to say all the wonderful attributes Humphrey had as a Highland yearling, and that he had everything you would want in an animal, and was one of the best he has seen. He said he would look forward to seeing him grow on and turn up in 12mths time back in this ring to compete in the Yearling class again.... SO what a buzz for Amanda and Graham.

Then out of the ring it went crazy, people were everywhere patting and cuddling the animals and having their photos taken with them. Such a great day had by all.

Amanda and Graham finally got back home after 4 that afternoon, totally exhausted but thrilled how the whole day went and especially the wonderful comments made by Drew and many others of their new stud bull, Humphrey.

Thanks guys... you did McMoos proud.

cheers for now, Lesley

Pauatahanui Lamb & Calf Day - 7 November 2009

2009-11-08T00:04:00.000-08:00

The Lamb and Calf day is a great day we try to attend each year. It is held at the Pauatahanui School. and also run by them. It attracts approx 4-5 thousand people each year and a day many come from quite away to attend.

We took a few young animals and set up camp with our Marquee in the lower playground and basically didn't stop till the end. This year we took Abby Rose, Peigi and Georgie. We were going to bring Montague instead of Georgie, but on Friday night when coaxing them down to the barn for the night, Montague decided the grass out on the driveway was far more interesting than the bucket of nuts we had. Georgie however thought they were alright and decided to follow. So we decided that we could give her ago, even thou she has never been in a big crowd before. But if need be we could put her at the back of the Marquee so she wouldn't too threatened by all the crowds but she wasnt having any of that.... up the front please and let these people pat and pamper me !! She was amazing. For a girl that had only had a couple of days halter training and usually pretty quiet in the paddock, she was just lapping it all up. Constantly patted and played with, she was a treasure.

Peigi was fantastic too, now more used to the noise and hands, since her time at Carterton and of course darling Abby Rose, sooo used to it all, she just wanted to lie down and sleep while little ones clambered all over her.

We had a huge amount of people asking all about them and even a few ask what they were... yaks, buffalo ??

So once again... a great day and we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, meet lots of lovely interesting people.... and the weather played ball by being lovley and hot.

Heres to next year !!

Carterton A&P Show

2009-11-07T23:23:00.000-08:00

CARTERTON A&P SHOW

8November 2009

Well we have had another busy

weekend this weekend, being the Lamb & Calf day.....

But before I tell you about that, I should really up date you on our weekend at the Carterton A&P show, held on the 31st October and 1st November.

We had the opportunity of having a display tent there this year which

we decided to take. So over the week we got all our display gear together and I got photos and information all ready to display in our Marquee. We were also going to show 4 of our animals that we wanted to

put in our display tent, so needed to get them all sorted as well. Friday dawned in a disgraceful way, cold and pouring with rain !! Joy !!

Anyway once over there we had great helpers, John,Bruce, Ivy & Harriet, give us a hand to put the Marquee up in the dry intervals.... once up, I headed back to the Hutt Valley to pick up kids from school and head back over to Carterton and met Greg back at the Camp Ground to settle in for the night.. (we had a cabin, no tenting for me !!)

Saturday dawned a nice day... so off went Greg to feed Abby Rose (who is still on a bottle twice a day) and we followed a bit later. Down at the grounds we sorted the animals and then went to the Marquee to set out all our display stuff. Once sorted, back to the stalls to wait for the showing to begin. Our friends and other breeders, Rod and Harriet Brown had arrived with their crew of moos, McKenzie McMoo and 6th month calf Conal McMoo and McGee McMoo. We bred these guys and Harriet and Rod brought them from us about 18mths ago. Conal is the first calf for McKenzie and a gorgeous boy.

Now, to cut a long story short, Harriet and Rods crew did amazingly in the ring. McKenzie with Conal, became Champion Female Lifestyle Animal and McGee became Champion Male Lifestyle Animal. This meant that both had to go in the ring to compete together to see who was going to be Supreme Champion Lifestyle Animal. The unusual thing here is, that McGee is the Sire of Conal, so it was a family affair in the ring, which is a real rarity to have them all in the ring together.

McKenzie Mcmoo was chosen as the Supreme Champion of Lifestyle.... and then went in the ring with the other winners of the other beef breeds, ie: Simmentals, Red Polls, Herefords etc to compete for the Meat & Wool Cup.... and guess what....She and Conal Won... ya whoo!! Absolutely amazing... I cried, as you do.... !! What a day.

The rest of the weekend was great at the Marquee ... we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Our lovely friends Ivy & Bruce, were absolute treasures and helped with all our background stuff of cleaning and grooming the animals and keeping them all feed and watered. Thanks SO much guys.. you made the weekend so much easier for us.

Right, I will do the next blog on our Lamb and Calf Day.

cheers Lesley

Bulls are part of the family at McMoos

2008-09-18T20:24:00.001-07:00

Running the Bulls with the girls (cows, heifers and calves) all year round makes them even more placid and easy to handle at McMoos. Even though it is against traditional farming practise at Lumont’e we run our Bulls with the girls all year round. And has proven to benefit us all in many ways.

Highland Bulls are typically the quieter of the breed gender, even when kept intact. Don’t ask me why but I have always found them easier to halter train and handle. Of course there is always the exception to the rule, but certainly in my experience a great deal easier to work with. Here at Lumont’e we breed for docility and nothing else makes the grade!

I have never had any concerns about having my senior bulls sharing a paddock with even a very young calf. There is a few of reasons for this as well as what I have touched on already.

1) Highlands mature slowly with some heifers coming in to season only at 14 to 18 months of age and some older. This protects the young stock from any interest n them by the bulls.

2) The cows once calved will cycle again usually 3 cycles (3 months) after the birth of their calf and this also gives them a break while feeding, without having the Bull pestering them.

3) We decide on when we wean, on an individual basis depending on how the cow and calf are doing while feeding.

Sure you could still have all those benefits by separating the Bull completely from the fold BUT how would you feel standing around for 3 months in a paddock on your own? Grumpy? I bet!

We have neighbours with cows cycling close by but our Bulls don’t wander looking for company even when driven by natures urge. Sure there can be a lot of noise but that’s it.

We are convinced that this makes the Bulls happy and content. I have seen it in the way they groom of each other and keep company with the same cows. This shows that they do feel part of a family!

Common sense must always be used when handling Bulls, but in most cases we know these boys from the time they are born and see them every day so we get to know each personality, and yes they are all different. It would be fair to also say that the amount of exposure and contact they have with us does make them quieter and more accepting of us.

You must always be aware that complacency is dangerous and you must never be that! There is always a time to make that call when you need to stand back and leave them alone. Or just to stand patiently and wait for them to move rather than push them.

We really enjoy the boys, they all seem to have great personalities, always have plenty to say and all seem to be “The Fonz” when it comes to getting things done! Too cool to Hurry.

Mitchy Moo McMoo wants a drink?

2008-09-18T20:24:00.000-07:00

This is Mitchy Moo McMoo. He was born on Sunday Night 14th around 9.30pm.

He has the strangest drinking or I should say lack of drinking probelm I have ever seen.

He does not know where to look for it! We picked this ups fortunatly within the first 24 hours and we were able to take action and milk his mum and feed him by bottle.

He makes all the action butts his mum, like all calf do trying to get the milk running BUT he does it to her bottom, her front leg, and pretty much anything but her udder!!! We have even tried to get him on the teat by holding him there and squirting milk on his nose but no he wont have it.

Fortunately his mum is one of our quetiest girls and she will let us milk her and hold him while we feed him. She stands by mooing and watching closing licking him all the while.

Anyone else had this? He is not blind. Maybe he just can't smell? Maybe he is not the sharpest tool in the shed. But I really do not know. Hes taking about 2 litres per feed now and slowly building strength and weight so thats a great outcome. It sure is special to get a cuddle with a 3 day old highland calf with his mum so close. (Normally they are soooo protective and you are taking a risk doing this) Once again these magnificent animals show there very very special nature and trust with those they know.

Feeding Out in the Mud!

2008-08-21T20:33:00.000-07:00

Iv'e just been robbed again!!!

Mackay of Champion has this terrible habit of getting to the round bale before I get a chance to unload it and he trashes it. With a set of horns 1mtre between tips and total body weight of about 750kg The bale does not stand a chance. Its his way of getting extras I guess. The ground is muddy and sloopy here from 9 weeks of rain and very litlle let up. Turns to slop very quickly by the gates when you are running the quad and a 400KG bale every day.

Looks like the forcast is not much better for the weekend but here is hoping :)

Its time like this I,m glad the Highlands are so resistant to foot infections and other winter ailments from standing in wet all day. Never given me any problems. !

can't wait for Summer but always happy to have a decent set of wet gear to keep clean and dry.

Come on Spring!@!!!

Thank You Archie McMoo

2008-07-27T23:59:00.000-07:00

This is a tribute to a real neat Highland Bull Called Archie McMoo. Archie died 3 weeks ago and we all miss him. Archie became ill early this year and despite more tests than I care to mention we were never able to determine exactly what was wrong. We tried hard and fought it with everything we could but unfortunalty we failed. The coldness of winter just appeared too much for him. Archie was a friendly quiet boy right from the start, his little star shone above the others because of his natural extinct to be friends with all humans. Even before being halter trained Archie would let you pat him and itch him in the paddock and quickly learnt his name. He won the heart of everyone one who meet him and for his eventual owners Pete and Lisa, they too were immediatly trapped with his charm. He liked his nuts, his peppermints and carrots. Lisa earned the nickname of "the Carrot Lady" always bringing Archie his carrots. The photos are of him as a wee calf and more recently in his cover to keep him warm over the winter. We often wondered why Archie was so friendly and what made him stand out above the others with his relaxed personality. We now have the answer "its genetic" Archies younger brother Walter is another Archie in so many ways. So here's to you Archie and most of all "Thanks for the time we had with you" You made a special impression in many peoples lives.

First time up!

2008-05-05T21:28:00.000-07:00

Well here we go, trying this blog thing. I,m based in Whitemans valley NZ and breed Scottish Highland Cattle. What and magnificant breed they are my web is www.mcmoos.co.nz.

We have 3 bulls in our breeding programme 1 x Yellow, 1 x Dunn and 1 x Black. I think the boys have a most interesting personalities. What does anyone else think?