Calving at 3 A.M.

He watched it until 22:30, then fell asleep with the tablet on his chest. The barn app sent a push notification titled "Event detected," which is one way to put it. The vet is at another farm, 40 minutes away. At 03:04 you're in the straw with a calving rope and a headlamp. At 03:41 it's a heifer, 38 kilos, standing by 04:15.

A grey and cream buffalo check for a 6 °C barn at 03:00. The flap pockets close with magnets, which you can work in wet gloves, and the collar snaps shut so the collar stays out of everything. By Zmorge you're back in the kitchen. The neighbour calls to ask how the night was.