The Latest News!

At the NWHCA spring meeting, member Betty Jo Nolan made a generous pledge of $50 for Get of Sire and $100 to be split among first-time exhibitors at the Puyallup Fair in 2008. In addition, Betty Jo has created a memorial for her husband Bill in the form of a beautiful show halter. The Bill Nolan Memorial Halter will be given to the premier breeder at the regional show each year. Thank you Betty Jo for your generosity and support.

If you have not shown your cattle yet and are waiting for a reason to take the plunge - now's the time! Please don't hesitate to contact other members who have experience showing cattle. Your questions are welcome and you're sure to pick up some great tips.
Submitted by the NWHCA Board of Directors, 7/1/2008

Les sends us a follow-up to his story (below). As you can see, the twins are doing well. Sugar has regained her sight and gives Spice all she wants in races, dancing, etc. We are maintaining them separate from the main herd but will be ending that shortly and letting them cavort with the other calves, Winter and Windy.
Submitted by Les, Special-T-Farm, 5/26/2008

The NWHCA Board of Directors is planning to create an informative DVD for members. The film will provide helpful information on subjects, such as preparing to show at a fair and calf weaning. The finished product will be available to members for a nominal price. The directors are looking for a volunteer who has access to a DVD camera, is interested in filming the project, and can start by early summer.
If you are interested, please contact Cheryl Kammerzell

Submitted by Cheryl Kammerzell, Maple K Farms, 5/12/2008

The girls are doing well - BUT. We have named them, for now, Sugar and Spice. Spice is into everything, running, jumping, dancing, etc. Sugar spends most of her time laying in a corner of the fence with her eyes closed apparently sleeping. This concerned us no end. We called our favorite Vet, Kalie Mercer, who visited with us at lunch time, examined Sugar, declared her totally healthy - BUT - blind. Kalie says that she has seen this before in 2nd born twins, the theory being that the 2nd is deprived of oxygen during the birth cycle but that most regain their sight in the days following. But because she is having sight problems that we might offer her a bottle twice a day to ensure that she is getting food. The fact that she is still alive on day 3 post birth says that she is finding Mom at some points. We took over her bottle late yesterday evening and found both "kids" peacefully nursing, one on each side. So the bottle was not used. It seems that she is blind in the sun light but that she can see some things in the shade or after the sun has gone down. During the day you can wave your hand just beside her eyes and she does not even blink. Last night she would turn her head away from your hand. In the many years that we have raised these animals it has been an educational venture. And - apparently this educational ladder has more rungs to climb. It is obvious that "You never know it all!!" We'll keep you posted....
Submitted by Les, Special-T-Farm, 5/10/2008

If you would like to post a "latest news" item, please contact:

Gina Ames
Boise Creek Farm

360-802-8980

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