Fifth Day Already??

Work at 7. We got things set up for the big move/transition. We moved the lambs and ewes into the last pasture closest the barn and we went to set up gates while they settled down. Overall, all of the processing that was done to the lambs (treated for hoof rot, given CDT vaccines, worming, and tagging) I had done before, though this was a good refresher for me. The only thing that I hadn't had to do before was put the lambs in the foot bath, which was definitely not an enjoyable task to say the least.

Bob and I went and set up the fences for the lambs while the rest of the interns got a chance with hands-on experience with the animals and I got more experience with the fence. This may sound funny, but I definitely needed it.

Got done at 10:30 and went back at 2. We moved the last load of lambs and then went down to the milk room to prepare for the first milking. Ann taught us all about putting the milking equipment together which I really had no idea about having never milked cows or anything else before. They don't have a pipeline and obviously not an automatic wash either. We had to sanitize everything before we used it. Ann and I were the only ones milking and I found it a very educational experience. I learned a lot about milking equipment and sanitation procedures. Milking took quite a while but some of it could have been contributed to the young ewes that had no idea what they were doing and Ann trying to teach me all about this stuff. I feel fairly confident in this area and I can't wait to attempt to put the equipment together again because I really want to grasp it.

After we completed milking we washed everything as well as sanitized everything. The procedures that the milk inspector requires are quite tedious, but I understand why you need them... I just had no idea they were so detailed and meticulous. I got done with work at 6:15. Tomorrow is work at 7.