Our Valentine's Day surprise

For the last few days, we've had bitterly cold temperatures, with lows at zero degrees Fahrenheit. Coupled with our huge snow whomp from last week, we're definitely into winter.

We've been keeping the cows confined to the corral for a few reasons. One, there's no sense letting them out into a pasture that's sixteen inches deep in snow; two, the gates are blocked shut anyway; and three, our Angus cow Filet was due to calve at some point, and we wanted to keep her close.

Filet is what had me worried. Since she's a former range cow, she's not crazy about being in the barn, even though it offers abundant shelter and that's where the feed box is. She'll eat, then retreat back outside. During the last cold snap, I'd feed the cows in the morning and tell her, "Don't have a calf." I'd feed the cows in the evening and tell her, "Don't have a calf." I prayed, literally prayed, she would not have a calf during the cold snap. Temps that low will kill newborns.

Today – Valentine's Day – was significantly warmer, with a low of 18F. And it snowed the blessed day long – prettily but relentlessly. When I went out to feed the cows in the morning, Filet was giving low moos and acting agitated – and her udder was bagged up.

I came back into the house and told Don, "I"m 99% sure Filet is in labor."

I made it a point to trudge through the snow and check on her about every hour and a half. Later in the morning, I was amused to see Mignon, her yearling calf, avidly nursing. I haven't seen Mignon nurse for months. Evidently she smelled milk!

The temperature rose until it hit about 31F by noon. Around 2:30 pm, I went to check, and she had just – and I mean just – dropped the baby. Even better, she actually came into the barn for this! I was thrilled.

Maggie (our Jersey) was intensely curious about the new arrival, of course, and to her credit, Filet wasn't overly aggressive about it. I, however, stayed well away. I've seen bovine maternal hormones in action many times. Nope.

When I got there, the calf wasn't yet on its feet. It flopped around a few times, but the barn mats were slippery and it couldn't get much by way of footing.

Splat!

Filet is an experienced mother. I have no idea how many calves she's had, but I'm guessing at least four and probably more. The baby was in good hands.

I had to dip in and out of this scene because this is my last weekend working my online job, so I was somewhat tied to the computer. But it was hard to stay away from a new baby!

I went out to check on things before dusk to clean the barn (if I could) and feed everyone. The baby was on its feet and Filet had moved it outside ... which was probably better for its footing, to be honest.

I took the opportunity to clean the barn, keeping a very wary eye on Filet. She bellowed and lunged at one point, and I didn't argue – I ducked back behind the gate. Mostly it was just bluster, but not all of it. Filet is a big cow and I wasn't taking chances.

I mean, c'mon ... would you mess around with this mama?

The baby wandered in and out of the barn, greeting its new herd mates.

Mignon, the calf's big sister, seemed calm and interested in the newborn.

When I left them for the evening, the calf was juuuuust on the verge of finding the faucet. A belly-ful of warm colostrum, and the calf will be just fine in the snow, especially since we're actually on a warming trend.

I'm about 80% certain the baby is a girl, but obviously I wasn't going to peek under its tail to confirm. However on the assumption that's correct, what shall we call our Valentine's Day calf?