I ought to know better. I do it almost every year and this year was no exception. What did I do you may ask?<br />n<br />nI left the cows in the pine trees to long. I was trying to save hay by letting the cattle in to the upper pastures that have pine trees in them and now it has bit me. I've had three cows sluff their calves now from pine needles. For some reason about this time of year cows will browse on pine needles and there is a chemical in the needles that will cause them to abort their calf. I thought that maybe this year with no snow on the ground they would not be drawn to the pine needles and wouldn't eat them. I was wrong.<br />n<br />nI have shut the gates to keep them confined to the pasture that doesn't have any pine trees in it, one of only a couple on the whole place, and hopefully that will cure the problem. there might be a few more sluff a calf yet due to pine needles but I shouldn't have an epidemic.<br />n<br />nSome day I will learn to shut the gates sooner. I just wish it had been this year.<br />n<br />n<strong>When we remember we are all mad, the mysteries disappear and life stands explained. Mark Twain</strong>