1983_11 The Daily Collegian November 1983

              Nov. 18,1983   IP51^CBS|
On Ihe range: Wayne Kronberg, Maryoaan Goshgarian lead a cow back to its pen. To your health: One of Kronberg's primary duties is preparing injections for ill cows.
Diary of a dairy herdsman
[self
M. here is an intermingling odor of hay. manure and
nearby tree? at CSUF's dairy across from Barstow
Avenue Wayne kronberg, a 21-year-old student who
lives there, walks toward the bullpens, his mud-
encrusled work shoes clomping on the manure-spotted
sidewalk
"Come here. Star Wars!" he beckons once he
reaches the rails of the pens Star Wars, a large, black
bull, responds with indifference
"Aw. come here. Star Wars'" kronberg implores
:ially for maternity reasons." kron
berg said. "You can never predict what's going tc
happen; there's always something new. You think it'!
going to be a quiet day, only to find out there might b<
i that's $
int; Ii
II night  \
aches
lis left hand out Star Wars apprehensively
outside the pen only to stop, shake his
; snort within feet of kronberg's outstretched
"They usually act like tr
here, "kronberg says of the t
of the bulls "They really ac
nberg. an agricultural science;, dairy option
e disposition of animals is only one factor to
■ n a daily basis as a herdsman. Other repon-
nclude  breeding,   heat  detection,   general
"A lot of people might think this is easy, but it's n
?-to-5 job out here." kronberg says "When you wor
.vilh animals, it's a 24-hour job You're constantl
*atching them "
K
ronberg is one of nine CSUF students assigned
impus' five agricultural units Maryoaan
ves in the dorm next door lo kronberg,
h him at the dairy   They currently take
"One night Maryoaan and I were u
railed it a 'Marathon Calving Sight ' "
According lo kronberg, 1 50 lo 160 calves are born
:ach year at the dairy Ideally, each cow has a calf per
vear Almost all bull calves are put up for sale." he
said
calve, wc keep a cow in a "close-up" pen to keep an eye
on her." Kronberg said "Then she's placed in a mater
ment and a bed of hay for
"A lot of limes, it's all rewarding." he said of the
births "Other times, (when they die) you wish it were
alive - but that's the way Mother Nature intended it
to be "
Kronberg's day begins al 6 o'clock every morning,
and an hour later he's back with the animals, feeding
them grain. The remaining time before class is divided
between working in the dairy office and watching for
signs of heat —or estrus — in the cows.
"The best time for heal detection is in the mornings
and evenings." he said "Signs of estrus usually include
a cow standing still and a bull trying to mount her."
The gestation period for cows ranges between 280
and 283 days, depending on the breed. But, Kronberg
said, "There's no sure way of catching every cow in
heat; some are more obvious about it than others."
Following heal detection and office work is class —
usually.
"If I miss class because of calving, well, that's par for
the course." Kronberg said with a shrug. "The cows
memorable n
Fresno Fair
atches for signs of h<
k:ng a
"We won two Grand Champion awards, oi
C hampion, and Supreme Champion." he sail
Supreme Champion, you're put in a line-up
bcslofcach breed and compared She(thcwii
a young cow   li's unusual for a 2-year-old u
b> the bull's name, then the cow's nam
mes get ridiculous after awhile. One o
ooter, and his sister we called Scooter-Pie."
icrg's splattered blue jeans, faded green "Car-
:ball cap. and checkered shirt with sleeves
the elbows provokes a question. How does he
ihe reputation agriculture majors seem to
in often rowdy, country music -, Skoal - and
ing group?
we like to have a good time," kronberg says.
; his words carcfullv "Bui I imagine I'd have
the other person's shoes before I make a
rent c.
nplai
onberg said that high school agriculture classes
and experiences on his family's dairy have all contributed lo his herdsman's knowledge. Hilmar, a small
farming community (2.000 population) 80 miles north
of Fresno is his hometown.
"We do have our own little world out here — constant cows — but I don't feel I'mona deserted island. I
was born and raised on a farm, and 1 love working with
animals," he said "I'm doing what 1 enjoy doing.
"In spring. 111 be graduating — hopefully — and I'd
like to stay in the valley and find herdsman's work. In
the long run. I'd like to have my own dairy. Thai all
depends on the money situation, though."
M. he sights of the dairy are clear this November
afternoon; the rows of pens with hay in them, a small
shovel leaning against a rail, a tractor in the distance,
calves eating out of troughs, their ears tapered with a
yellow tag with a number on it.
"All cows have numbers issued to them when they're
born," kronberg said. "For registration purposes,
they're given a name. too. Usually "CSU " is the prefix.
Tending the herd: Kronberg separates cows
inside the barn.
Text by
Kelley Mc Coy
Photos by
Robert Leri
That first cup: Kronberg's unusuafTiours
force him to enjoy life's simpler moments
anytime, anyplace.
,