Justin Jornigan

Sauna and Chili

Megan perfectly summed up the day between farm calls: “Uggh, I just want to sit in a sauna and eat a bowl of chili”.

Herd check: “This one was only bred 10 days ago, doc.” “Ok, she’s too close to call right now.” “Like an Iowa caucus?” “Sure. Next cow.” Next stop. “So doc, what are you thinkin’ about this election?” “Well, I think it’ll all end in November, but as for this cow here, she’s pregnant. Who’s next?”Continue reading “I Am Switzerland”

Hog in a Hotel

Me: “So you do most of the cooking?” Client: “Psshtt, me in the kitchen is like a hog in a hotel.” That’s a new one for me. I’m more accustomed to the bull in the china shop. Never stop learning.

Brrr

23 degrees outside and we’re heading to A.I. heifers. It seemed like a decent idea when we set them up at 70 degrees 10 days ago. On the bright side, no wind and no precipitation. Insulated everything. Happy Friday.

Ka-boom

An exciting morning. I had my arm in the south end of a mare for an ultrasound when a teenager lit a 1/4 stick of dynamite behind the barn. My heart nearly exploded, as did the mare’s abdominal aorta sitting atop my arm. Thankfully no one got hurt, but I’ll need some heavy forgiveness forContinue reading “Ka-boom”

Warming Him Up

“Hey Doc, there’s a dead bird in the grill of your vehicle.” Well, that certainly doesn’t look good. Ain’t dead until you’re warm and dead.

The Night I Sedated Satan

“Doc, this calf is coming backwards, squarely out of the <hindend> of Satan.” I haven’t laughed that hard in a while. He wasn’t kidding! That one ranks high on the list of crazy, possessed heifers. Mercy.

They’re Watching

A client just sent me a photo of her adorable 2.5 years old granddaughter with a thermometer inserted under her stuffed horse’s tail. Apparently her mother was a little concerned, but little Claire told her, “that’s what the vet does, mommy.” She’s always quiet and shy when I’m on the farm, but obviously she’s watchingContinue reading “They’re Watching”

He’s Gotta Go

That’s three separate times I’ve been charged by a bull while delivering a calf in a field. You’ve never seen a skinny ginger dude get up and move like this. I hurled an OB handle and hit the beast squarely between the eyes. I was quite proud…after I dusted my heart off and put itContinue reading “He’s Gotta Go”

Nursery

There’s just something special about looking out in a pasture and seeing a “nursery pile” of healthy calves laying in the morning sun while the cows graze. Maybe it’s just the contrast to the unhealthy ones that I see through the week, but it still does the heart some good.