I have only just started the UMADCOWS lab and I am already in love. There is something about cows that brings such a big smile to my face. Each one of our cows has their own unique personality that separates them from the rest. There are some cows that walk right up to you looking for scratches and the opportunity to lick you! I love being in the pen with them and having a cow such as CocaKola, a cow I really like in the barn, walk up to me and look right at me with her big brown eyes, waiting for me to pet her. Also visiting the calves and having them suck on my finger or lick my clothes! This all puts such a smile on my face and makes getting up at 3 AM worth it!
I recently endured the experience of weighing our steers as part of my youngstock herdsperson responsibilities and that was definitely an interesting experience. My friends and I shared a lot of laughs when trying to get the steers onto the scale. While haltering the steers, our newest baby calf Romeo was so happy to go outside he didn't know what to do. He was running around in the snow, and it made me so happy to watch him jump around and play. One of our other young steers, Noble, decided he wanted to go for a run while being on the halter, which definitely allowed me to get my exercise in for the day!
By being in this lab I have come to love cows so much! They are these huge teddy bears who are so sweet and sometimes a little crazy! From the little baby calves to the huge cows, there is an abundance of love to be shared! I am so fortunate to spend my spring semester working with these lovable creatures!