The week before fair FFA member Alexus Galassi-Duncan was given some wonderful news. Her heifer, Talula, is with calf! Veterinarian, Dr. Richard of Somis, confirmed Talula’s pregnancy with an ultrasound. Alexus was overwhelmed with emotion as she was able to see the tiny calf’s rib cage and heart beat.

Last October, Alexus purchased Talula for her Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) heifer breeding project. Talula an Angus Maine Cross, was six months old when Alexus bought her from breeder Donita Mullins at Six Flat Ranch in Santa Paula. When Talula reached thirteen months of age, Alexus took her to stay at Mr. Bob Powers’ ranch in Lockwood Valley. Talula stayed at Mr. Power’s ranch for a month and a half and was bred by his Allie bull, RJ. The gestation period for a heifer is nine months, putting Talula’s due date somewhere in late March to early April. When asked what she hopes the gender of the calf will be, Alexus says she would like a bull calf. Her plan is to take the bull calf as a steer to the 2012 Ventura County Fair. That steer would qualify to participate in the County Bred and Fed competition at fair. Not many steers at the Ventura County Fair are from Ventura County. Most are from outside the county or even the state. To be able to say your steer is bred and fed in Ventura County is quite an accomplishment. After having the calf, Alexus plans to keep Talula and some day start her own breeding business. This past fair, Alexus placed 1st overall in Advanced Bred Heifer Showmanship with Talula. On behalf of the Fillmore FFA congratulations to Alexus and Talula! We eagerly await the new addition to the school farm.

Brooke Aguirre is the Fillmore FFA Chapter Reporter