Three calves make not a pair, but a pleasant surprise

link Audra Brown

Cattle operations all have specific accepted terminology.

In what is commonly referred to as a “cow-calf” operation, we use the term, “pair,” a lot. This word, in common vernacular, is relatively nonspecific, usually meaning two of something, and often with the implied idea that the two somethings are alike or a matched set in some way.

In a cow-calf operation, a pair is a very specific thing. A pair is a cow and a calf, where that cow is the mother of that calf. Most of the time, the cow is the birth mother of the calf, but on occasion, adoptive pairs are formed.

The term also has an associated verb-form, “pairing,” which refers to the act of trying to figure out which cows go with which calves.

The vast majority of the time, this terminology is perfectly appropriate. But, just like any label, it does fail.

Deeming a set of a cow and her calf as a pair makes sense. It is a set of two, related/matched in some way, and unlike some species, cattle only take care of one offspring at a time.

Except for the rare — but always welcome — event of twins. This does happen often enough that we’re all aware of the possibility and so are not overly surprised when a cow pairs with two calves. It does make for some interesting stories.

Like just this last week, some cows, mostly with calves, needed to be moved from one place to another. They got gathered, sorted, put on a truck, and unloaded a few miles away.

One of these cows had a baby with her. He was big enough to travel, but surely only a few days old. Business as usual. One cow, one calf. A pair.

The next day, they were gone. We found them back on the other place. And guess what, they weren’t really a pair. She’d gone back for another calf.

Twins, we thought, pleasantly surprised, and we left her and her two calves where they were and made plans to come and get them when we had the time.

But, you know what happens so rarely as to equate with never? That’s what happened. Next day, there she was, far from a pair. She had all her calves. We counted, one, two … and wait for it … three.

Audra Brown has maybe seen one set of triplet calves before. Contact her at: [email protected]