Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Fall colors in late October  are usually limited to the trees, 

but you never know when Mother Nature may surprise us!

Old fashioned Iris, also known as "flags", are usually blooming in May but for some reason this yellow beauty is blooming like crazy this week.

                               I'm thankful for these unexpected surprises  that happen to remind me
                             that God is always in control and provides a blessing when unexpected!

Dairy Treats With Essential Nutrients

It's easy to get tricked into thinking that a lot of drinks we find in the dairy case at the grocery store  are as nutritious or economical as real dairy milk. For 25 cents per 8 ounces, milk treats you to nine essential nutrients. You're being tricked if you think the nutrition of alternative drinks offers you  and your family the same nutritional benefits.

According to Midwest Dairy, milk alternatives use fortification to mimic the nutrient profile of cow's milk.

Here's how some of the most common dairy alternatives stack up:

• Soy beverages--made from soybeans and are a good source of protein, but the soy protein is a lower quality protein than the whey protein found in dairy products.
• Rice-based beverages-- are generally processed from brown rice and are fortified with nutrients such as calcium and vitamin D. Rice beverages contain only one gram of protein compared to eight grams in cow's milk.
• Nut-based beverages-- can be ground from any nut, the most popular is almond. Almond beverages supply only one gram of protein per serving and lack many of the natural benefits found in almonds.

It's okay to get tricked on Halloween,

 but don't let it happen when you're making nutritional decisions!

Dairy Q&A

                                                                    Question:

    Why does a farmer use genetically modified (often referred to as GMO)  seed when planting a crop?

                                                                    Answer:
Farmers are always looking for ways to increase efficiency and protect the environment.  Genetically modified crops are more tolerant  of drought,are more resistant to disease and herbicides and allow farmers to increase yields on the same amount of land.

According to the Center for Food Integrity, more than 80 percent of grain crops used for animal feed, such as corn and soybeans are genetically modified. Extensive research has revealed no difference in the
nutritional value of GMO feed compared to conventional feed, there is no evidence that GMO  feed impacts growth or feed intake and it is safe.

   

                                                         

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

For the past week, we've all been enjoying the most beautiful 

October afternoons on our Arkansas dairy farm.

While feeding calves this afternoon, these pregnant cows that will have babies within the next two weeks became interested in what was happening on our side of the fence.

I'm thankful for these fall days

 and 

the  conversations I  have over the fence with these beautiful bovines!

Designer Dairy Diet

During today's monthly meeting with the  dairy nutritionist, we were sharing information about the new crop that is being chopped and test results from hay samples  that are being included in our cows'  daily diet.  Our dairy nutritionist could be described as a  cow diet designer!

With the help of our dairy nutritionist, we are constantly evaluating every ingredient that is included in their daily total mixed ration to insure that it contains the right proportion of nutrients for good nutrition and good health.

It's obvious when listening to the dairy nutritionist and the dairy farmer talk about the cows, our dairy cows are greatly respected, cared for and loved.

                                            I love watching our cows enjoy their designer diet!
                     Our dairy cows show their mutual appreciation for receiving a balanced,nutritious diet
                                                            by producing high-quality milk!

Dairy Q&A

Question:

 Why do you wrap hay ?

                                               
                                                                     Answer:
Our dairy cows eat hay everyday so it's important to have a year round supply.   Wrapping the bales in plastic is an alternate option for storing and processing forage (hay). It also decreases the time it takes from cutting to baling, decreases the  need for  increased mechanical handling and increases the potential for higher feed quality.  It's also made it possible for us to bale later in the season and utilize a variety of grasses commonly found in Northwest Arkansas.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Last week these two calves and I made to a visit

 to the Northwest Arkansas Children's Shelter.

It was an opportunity to allow children that have never been around animals to be able to pet the calves and share how farmers care for their animals and  produce high-quality milk.

                                                                                 
                              I'm thankful for the invitation to share our dairy farm story
                 in a facility that is working to make a safer and  better life for children.

Dressy Pumpkin Pie Celebrates Fall

If you're looking for a dressed up pumpkin pie for your fall celebrations, you'll love Autumn Pumpkin Pie! I started baking this pie in 1987  when I found the recipe in the October issue of Southern Living. In fact, the first time I baked it was for Thanksgiving dinner with my in-laws . It became part of my collection when my (best cook ever)  mother-in-law asked me for the recipe!

Autumn Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients:

2 eggs,slightly beaten
3 cups cooked,mashed pumpkin
1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 unbaked 10 inch  pastry shell

Topping: 
1/4 cup butter,melted
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Combine first 12 ingredients; blend well. Pour into pastry shell. Bake @ 400 degrees for 10 minutes then reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake an additional 35 minutes.
Combine butter,1/2 cup flour and brown sugar; blend well. Stir in pecans; sprinkle mixture on pie and bake @ 350 degrees for 10 minutes.

Yield: 1 10-inch pie 

                                 ...and of course, it's always served with vanilla ice cream!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Have you met anyone that is 100 years old?

Meet my Great Uncle Dallas Baggett! 

 He's a history maker this week for our family---Happy 100!

My Mother and I recently visited with Uncle Dal in Alabama. He's always had a great sense of humor and still loves to share a good joke. 

                             I'm thankful for my Uncle Dal, for the love and dedication to his family,
                            his lifetime of Christian ministry and the example he is living  for all of us.

Dairy Farmers Nourish the Nation

What's not to love about living on an Arkansas dairy farm!

That  was my thought as I drove past this  mama cow with her   new  baby calf.

Like dairy farmers in all 50 states,  we  are working seven days a week to produce nutritious,affordable milk by caring for our cows and the land while using fewer resources. 

Dairy farmers are working to nourish the nation and  help fight hunger in America by  partnering  with Feeding America, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the National Dairy Council to get milk to hungry families.

You can help to nourish the nation  by donating to The Great American Milk Drive.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

It was obvious from the full church pews last Sunday that the Vaughn Presbyterian Church holds a special place in the hearts of many people in our community. We not only celebrated 125 years of ministry but also dedicated a part of the original Vaughn High School sign that  is being

 added to the historical monument in the front yard of the church. From beginning to end, it was a perfect celebration. 

The Vaughn Presbyterian Church and the Vaughn School were a great partnership. If you lived in the Vaughn Community, this is where you went to school. School programs and church programs were often tightly woven together with involved families.

I'm thankful for the ministry of the Vaughn Presbyterian Church,

        the influence the school and church have had on so many in our community for the past 125 years,
                                                                                and

                                                              for the blessings of friendship!