Happy Moo Year from Beitidh and the crew

A new year has arrived, carrying with it fresh paddocks of possibility and the quiet promise of what’s to come. As the calendar turns, we pause to look back on the lessons of the past year, both the hard ones and the hopeful ones, and set our sights on the season ahead. The farm never truly stops, but January always brings a moment to breathe, plan, and dream a little bigger as we step into the year ahead together.

After months of waiting, we closed out the 2025 calving year with heavy hearts.

Hoggy had what appeared to be a textbook delivery, no assistance needed, everything unfolding just as it should. Sadly, the calf, a heifer, was stillborn. It was a quiet and painful end to a season we had hoped would finish on a brighter note. We are aiming to breed Hoggy back as soon as possible and will be holding onto hope for a live, healthy calf next year.

This was the first stillborn calf we have experienced, and it’s something no amount of preparation truly softens. Earlier in the season we had a close call with Tosho, who was born with the sac covering his nose and mouth. A quick intervention made all the difference, and he bounced into the world with his usual determination intact. That contrast has made this loss feel all the more poignant.

Alongside the emotional toll, this year has also tested us practically. The hay situation has been particularly tough. Bales that would normally cost around $90 per round climbed to $250, and with the cows eating roughly three rounds a fortnight, finances have been stretched very thin. It’s a reminder of how quickly external pressures can ripple through farm life.

There is, however, plenty of movement and planning happening across the paddocks. Zelda and Andie are currently over running with the bull at a neighbouring breeder’s property in Yarragon. We’ll be pregnancy testing in the coming weeks, but all going well, we’re expecting calves around August. Willa’s calf, Aberdean, is in the midst of weaning and halter training and will head off to her new home with Lotte in early February. Willa will then get some time to regain condition before being bred again, either in May or August.

February will also see Kenzie and Tosho head off to the Royal Canberra Show alongside Sassy and Tempe. Once they return home, Tosho will be weaned and assessed for bull soundness before he gets a ring. Whether that’s the nose ring or the other end remains to be seen 😉 Kenzie will then have the chance to regain condition and, fingers crossed, will be joined in May.

Beitidh’s little calf Maeve is thriving and proving herself far more sensible than Maisie’s Emmett Brown, who has developed a talent for walking through fences and snapping wires. We’re up to fence repair number three now, so a good hot wire at Emmett height is next on the agenda. Tempe was once just as determined, until the hot wire was fixed and she learned a memorable lesson.

Sassy will be joined in April or May, with the aim of calving early in 2027 in time for the show season. Hoggy, meanwhile, is heading off on a short adventure to visit a bull in the hope of getting her back in calf as soon as possible. While AI is usually our preferred method, a bull can often be quicker and surer. If AI doesn’t take the first time, there’s a three week wait to try again, whereas the bull usually gets the job done on the first go.

Skunk, the oldest boy on the place, has previously been head honcho. He’s in with the other boys Lorcan and Blinky. Lorcan, younger by three years, has taken over the head honcho role despite being younger and smaller. I guess still having all your boy bits gives you an advantage.

On the feed front, we’ve had our hay cut and now have 50 rounds in the shed, with another 20 ordered from the hay man. Hopefully this will see us through the year without needing to buy more. The recent heatwave knocked the grass around quickly, but we’re hopeful the current weather will allow for some regrowth and delay the need to roll out hay. Feeding from December to March and again from May to September is fairly normal for us, but every extra week of grass helps.

We’d like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank everyone who has adopted a Glenstrae coo. Your support makes a real difference and helps us weather seasons like this one. We have some big plans for 2026, so stay tuned. And if you’re in the area and feel like some coo cuddles, or pats, depending on the coo, please reach out.

Until next time.