News
In Memory of Belinda
By Craig W Walsh
Aug 12, 2008 - 1:06:47 PM

Most of the members of the EGCS, and visitors to this website, live with Guernsey cattle every day.  As such the miracle of birth can, I suppose, become a frequent occurrence.

But we have few cattle, and previously raised Highland cattle exclusively.  Highland cattle always seem to have their calves in the middle of the night, in the most remote corner of the field, away from my prying eyes or my camera.

But I'm jumping ahead of myself.

We joined the EGCS when we bought (with Digby Gribble's encouragement) our first "house cow," Carole.  You don't have to go far to see Carole's photograph:  that's her in the banner on the top of this page.  (That's her twice.)  She was a wonderful, sweet-natured cow, and we hand-milked her without any problems.

Carole was born in May of 1999.  She joined us in July 2004, at age five.  She died in October 2007, age eight.

We again spoke with Digby about a replacement for Carole.  At that time Digby was still active with the EGCS, and was also setting up his business with Ian Crouch.  As part of a complicated transaction --- which did not work out --- we transferred 15 pigs to Chettle, most of them pedigree Berkshire pigs.  We also transferred six head of cattle, including three pedigree Aberdeen Angus, to Chettle.

In return Ian and Digby brought us Belinda.  Ian told Marjorie she was eight years old, and was in calf.  Marjorie was concerned about Belinda's age because Carole had died at eight, but Ian assured Marjorie that Belinda's age was not a problem.

Belinda arrived at Lucies Farm Ltd. on 12 November 2007.  I have uploaded various photographs of Belinda to the EGCS photo gallery, and to our own photo gallery.

Belinda was a delightful cow, and amused us all by adopting one of the Berkshire piglets.  She watched over him like a hawk, and cuddled him like her own calf.

Belinda and Her Adopted Berkshire Pig

We had Belinda checked by our veterinarian several times during her stay at Lucies Farm Ltd. to be sure that all was going well with her pregnancy.

On 27 July 2008, a little over eight months following her arrival, Belinda started to give birth.  I have posted a series of photos on the EGCS website.  We have two experienced veterinary students working with us this year (a third year and second year student), but when things seemed to be taking a bit longer than we'd like we called out our vet.  He came quickly, and the bull calf was delivered using ropes and brawn.

Belinda Giving Birth - 26 July 2008

The calf was fine, and Belinda seemed fine.  Our vet gave her a big dose of calcium by IV and then she was left with her new calf.

Belinda seemed fine up until the afternoon of 2 August 2008.  Our colleagues checked on her, and the calf, at about 2:00 PM, and all was well.  At 4:30 PM she was on the floor of the stable, regurgitating and having spasms.  The vet was immediately called and came rushing over to the farm.  He arrived at 5:15 PM, about ten minutes after she died.

Contrary to Ian's assurance that Belinda was eight, she was actually born on 4 November 1997.  She died two days before her 11th birthday.

I understand that Belinda's previous calf was born on 27 March 2006.  I'm not a Guernsey cattle breeder, but we probably would not have put a 10 year old Highland cow into calf.

We are now left with the sad memory of Belinda nursing her calf, and then dying.  And we are reminded of this many times each day as we hand feed her little bull calf.

Belinda and Her Calf - 26 July 2008

This is probably not the type of story that you'd like posted on the EGCS website.  I received my ballot in the post the other day, and I will personally be remembering Belinda as I cast my two votes.

In in the interest of free speech, anyone can post a differing point of view using the comments feature, below.  Or if you'd like to write a whole article on the wisdom of putting a 10 year old cow into calf, just e-mail it to me and I will be delighted to publish it, unedited, on this website.  The views in this article are my personal views, and not that of the EGCS.

I miss Belinda.



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