Jaffa’s baby was due at the end of May 2026 and Lucy’s early June, which resulted in a great deal of time in the paddock checking udders and closely examining both of their back ends!
As I arrived home from work on the 2nd of June, I stopped to check Jaffa and Lucy to see if they had made any progress. Indeed, they had — both girls were showing signs of being in labour, and Simon and I settled in for a long night ahead.
The night was cold, and we positioned the car to shine lights on the paddock, just enough so we could see without startling the girls. There was a great deal of excitement amongst the herd, particularly from Harriet, our youngest heifer, who followed Lucy everywhere she went.
As midnight approached, Simon and I retired for a few hours of sleep before checking on the girls again. As the sun rose at 5am, we looked out into the paddock to see both Lucy and Jaffa licking their newborn calves! An immense feeling of joy and relief filled us both.
Jaffa’s little heifer was the spitting image of her other daughter, “Storm Girl,” both taking much after their father, “Storm Chaser.” Lucy’s little bull calf was considerably bigger, strikingly white with perfect black points. We couldn’t have dreamed for a better outcome.
Both Lucy and Jaffa are incredibly protective mums, and we gave them all the time they needed to bond with their beautiful babies. I would spend time each day in the paddock, sitting with Lucy and Jaffa near their babies, until I could sense that they were both comfortable enough for me to touch their calves. It wasn’t long before I was kissing and cuddling them both!
Xander and Xena immediately loved human contact. Soon enough, they would be the first to greet me in the paddock! Every day since, we have been building trust and an amazing bond — the Galloway breed is so amazing!
