The video follows a permaculture homestead’s first day caring for a newborn calf and its mother. The hosts herd the reluctant calf, lure the mother cow with alfalfa, and use a mobile milking unit to collect the cow’s colostrum, storing it in ice‑cold containers for future use (including making custard). They supplement the new mother with a probiotic (RC Gold), apple cider vinegar, and alfalfa to support post‑birth nutrition and prevent milk fever. The pair also prepares tulsi (holy basil) tea, discusses its benefits, and showcases various homestead projects: a high‑tunnel vegetable system, thriving tomatoes and green beans, new kitchen countertops, cabinetry installed in April, and upcoming floor sanding and dumpster logistics. The tone is informal, enthusiastic, and instructional, blending animal husbandry, nutrition, herbal remedies, and home‑renovation updates into a single morning vlog.
Chapters
We got a 1-day-old calf born yesterday about this time. We let mama and calf bond yesterday, and we're gonna milk them. He won't get up. Either he's just super lazy or— all right. Oh, there we go. There he goes. There we go. Don't scare us like that, buddy. Hey, yeah, he's fine, he's fine. Oh, wrong way. It's tricky herding them for the first couple of days because the calf doesn't really follow mama that great, and the mama won't leave the calf. Let's go up to the stanchion. Let's get you some alfalfa. Of course, she She hadn't done this in 2 months. We gave her a 2-month break. First, let's lure Mama up here. Hey honey, you remember this? She ain't even looking. Here you go, Mama. It's been 2 months. Has she already forgotten the alfalfa? Let's remind her. Come on, come on, come on, come on. It's like coffee to her, guys. This is an addictive drug. She's ravening. She needs it because she just gave birth. She needs extra nutrients now. Fowl Trot, the protein. We don't always need the Stanchion for her, but on day one, she's gonna be extra anxious for her calf. She's already eating 2 pounds. We're gonna hurry. So RC Gold, it's a probiotic. Half a cup of apple cider vinegar, which I guess is also a probiotic. Just the maintenance. Sorry about this light. Morning hits this lower pasture before anything else. Castile soap and some warm water in our tumbler. Standing right next to her in case she wants to kick. It's been a minute. You're gonna do a little protest? Don't worry, Pete, you're right in the field. That's what's wonderful about this mobile milking unit. Now we probably won't get that much, she's only going to be in colostrum, but we're gonna— we're definitely gonna be excited about that. That means we're gonna milk her out all the way because a little heifer calf would only take half the milk, and that helps prevent what you call milk fever. A few squirts on the ground, all right, and then we're going for it. Put this colostrum in this reservoir. It's not much, maybe half a quart, maybe. She'll probably give that for 2, 3, 4 days. All right, let's let her out. Calf has disappeared. They'll do that, it's their defense mechanism. But we found it already. You know, it's just out and about jumping around, and then all of a sudden it's laying down hiding in the tallest grass. Come on, honey. There she comes. No, grass is greener on the other side of the fence, even if it's not. So heavy. Yeah, I can't move it. Come on, you chill cow. All right, bring them over. How much does that thing weigh? Uh, he's probably 100 pounds. Now let's get their milk sled over, which is their shade, their minerals, and in a new mother's case, a stanchion. I hope I can make this turn. I hope it's not— you can only go so sharp. That turned out nice. I think vinegar would keep away the flies. He's bonded with you, isn't he? Come on now, wipe it off before you get in Sally. Started a collection of colostrum. See what we got? This is what you get. So like the first few days. Yeah, this is like gold. It literally is for dealing with the gut. Literally gold color. So we'll, um, save all the colostrum. Now switched up my ice packs. Ice cold water. How much did we get? 2 cups? All right, nice and cold. Really soon, and makes it last longer. We'll add to that every day until there's no more colostrum. Then we're gonna make some custard. Another one bites the dust. All right, bless you. We're gonna let him rest here in the— no lights. What about tonight's soccer game? How's it going, bro? I hope I'm better. All right, I think Annie's making you some special tea. So what kind of tea you making him?
Tulsi tea, it's fresh from the garden.
One, two. Is this tulsi? Sorry, I don't know what tulsi looks like.
Tulsi's on the table.
This is tulsi?
Yeah, this is tulsi, or holy basil.
Oh, okay.
I don't know if it's good for headaches, but it makes me feel good, so.
All right, so you're gonna put some in that? Yep. You're gonna seep it? Boiling water and then strain it into a cup. Yeah, add some honey.
Yep. Let me be free.
Happy day and welcome to another day in the life of some permaculture homesteaders. Well, growing what we eat, basil, and eating what we grow, basil. No, holy basil. Today we're growing colostrum. Of course we're growing chitlars. Helps to put it in reverse. We've got a lot going on in our homestead dream house today. Let's check on that real quick before we set up today's paddock. Getting countertops today. Oh man, it's going by very, very fast. Beck, this is ridiculous! Your tomatoes are incredible! Look at your green beans!
I know, they're looking so good.
Look at your tomatoes!
Don't walk between the rows, please.
Are you excited that we've nailed this high tunnel system or what?
I am beyond thrilled.
Took about 3 years for us to figure it out.
Yeah.
Holy basil! Yeah, that was— that's your smelling break every once in a while.
Yes, this This is a, a second vine with a second vine.
Are you sure that's not a sucker?
Oh, then that might be. But there have been— I have— I've cut them off. I've cut off second vines. I'm like, off the second vine.
The counter's already in, in the main room. Have you not seen them? Oh man, we're about to look at these countertops.
What happens if it's just not what I like?
I don't know, really.
And we spent so much money.
That's what you're afraid of?
Yeah, I'm just afraid.
What do you—
this is so good. Wow, it's looking like a real kitchen.
So you're not disappointed so far?
No, I'm not disappointed in the least.
Oh wow, this is beautiful. What do you think?
I like it. Don't touch it. Just don't touch it.
Rebecca, the interior designer's here.
Yes, this looks awesome. I know, doesn't it?
When did they start putting in the, um, cabinetry?
They did that in April.
Oh my goodness, that looks awesome! I love it. What is it?
It's a red mark.
Well, that's okay. They're coming in to sand and finish. Yeah. So spacious.
I know, right?
This afternoon we're getting up this— it's called Ram Board. It's thick paper. Rebecca gets to clean the floor for the first time. Floor guys will be here any minute to sand and finish this. We're missing the dumpster, so we're gonna get the track loader down here and get that dumpster. Go!
Yeehaw!
We are doing the unexpected job of peeling up tape. Taking a minute.
