I would say Pete is a competent and capable rancher. His demeanor and appearance often belie his wealth of knowledge about cows and goats and horses and (pre-computer) equipment.
Rural life calls for creative problem solving nearly every day.
A calf after a May snowfall...
His decades of experience shine forth when he chats with a new rancher or equestrian. As they ask questions about this or that, he becomes almost animated as he describes what they are discussing. Collaboration and a free exchange of ideas are the lifeblood of farm living.
Sunrise over the hay rake...
Regardless of the season, creativity goes hand in hand with rural life... moving snow... baling hay... fixing equipment... predator control... tending the animals...
Pete clearing snow and deciding where to pile it all...
That being said, he is also a worrier.
When calving season arrives, he walks among the herd checking on the individuals and trying to determine how far along they are and when each cow is due. Several times a day... sometimes hourly.
He sets aside ground for a nursery and shoos cows in and out and shuffles them around from pasture to pasture.
Every year has new demands on farm resources and his innovative abilities.
Lucille is curious...
(I love that he cares so much for the cows and the cats and the fowl and the land and whatever lives here.)
When one cow shows signs of being in labor, he hovers. (As a woman who has given birth, I think it would be better to give them a wee bit of space... but I'm new to this game... only 20 years.)
It saddens him if he has to do something else and comes back and the baby is already on the ground.
Baby and mom by the hay feeder...
He is a fusser... checking and re-checking and checking again.
He is convinced that each cow is going to die in birth and each baby is not getting enough food.
I find creative new reassurances as situations demand.
Getting everything ready to cut hay...
I do understand that his experience warrants caution and care. We are saddened when we lose a cow or calf, and we are concerned when one is injured or ill. The vets we have had here are generally pleased with the health and gentleness of the herd and reassure Pete that stuff happens. We currently have a wonderful vet, having both a breadth of animal knowledge and a good bedside manner with the humans she works with. Pete really likes her and tries to call only in an emergency.
Another successful birth...
The last time the vet was here, she told Pete the way he is with his cows reminded her of a little old lady with a fuzzy dog.
I can tell him he is creative... though he hates it when I tell him he is cute.
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