Moo Cow Monday!

Saturday, our fall calving season ended.

See that little black spot in the center of the photo?

THAT is our baby!

Momma wouldn't let us see the baby, just yet.

We will get a better look at the calf in a few days, when momma decides to bring it up with the herd.

Momma's are keen in hiding their babies until they are ready to show them to the world.

There have been many times we have been on the search for a hidden calf and stepped right over it.

They are buried in the grass or under a cedar tree, only to be sniffed out by their momma.

Thankfully, we spotted this momma, as she came from where she had her baby hidden.

We were able to zoom in with the camera, only because we forgot the binoculars, and see the calf was alive and well.

Momma had been nursed, so there was no need to disturb the calf and take the risk of it jumping and running.

Had this happened, momma may not have been able to pair up with the baby.

We won't risk the loss of a calf or the unsettling of a new momma, so we left well enough alone.

I was, however, able to snap some beautiful photos of our mot face cow and calf.

Mot Face = Mottled Face

 I am so in love with this little guy!

I love his markings.

I love his attitude.

I love his stature.

Did I say "I LOVE HIS MARKINGS!"

The mot face cow and two other cows, we call Dona and Chrome, are the only cows in our herd that throw white on their babies.

Here's a little genetics lesson.

(Genetics was the most favorite course I took while obtaining my Animal Science degree.)

Brockling or Mottling

The brockling gene Bc is what causes the brockle or mottled faces and legs we often see when we cross Herefords with Angus. Bc is dominant, and all it takes is one copy for the trait to be expressed. The amount of brockling is not increased when there are 2 genes present rather than just 1. The Bc affects all white patterns by putting darker colored areas within the white areas, usually on the legs and face. ss animals that carry this gene will often be spotted as normal, but where white is present on their legs they will be mottled.

BcBc and Bcbc animals will express broken patches of color within white spots. They may tie into the colored areas on the animal, or they may be completely separate. If one copy of Bc is present you will see brockling.

It is always nice to drive into the pastures and see those little white brockled or mottled faces amongst all those solid black calves.

I love the gift those momma's give to their babies!

Well....

There is your Moo Cow Monday!

Have a great day!

XOXO,

Rancher Girl