Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

I hope you had a very Merry Christmas!

It was special in every way down on the dairy farm.

Although we worked our usual schedule of milking the cows

and feeding and caring for cows and calves on Christmas Day,

at the end of the day, we gathered as a family for a 

meal and exchange of gifts. That may seem like a 

very ordinary event, but to me, 

the gathering of those I love is a precious gift.

I'm thankful for the new dairy heifer that we welcomed 

on Christmas Day,

 for all the gathering of family during this Christmas 

season, loving memories of past  family Christmas times

and

 the opportunity to make memories for the next generation.

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

"It takes a village" was the phrase that came to mind as I observed

this mama-to-be assisting with welcoming the new calf. It's not unusual

to see this behavior  in a pasture full of expectant mothers and although it

appears to be helpful, it can be a distraction to the new mother causing her

not to do her job of cleaning off the calf.  

We don't always separate these cows but today due to the frigid,damp weather, we

moved the new baby and mama to the maternity barn for protection and to assure

that the mama could do her important job.

Observing the behavior of animals is always interesting and part of the 

dairy farmer's job in providing good care of their cows and calves.

I'm thankful for all the birthdays down on the dairy farm

and in our family!

Happy 1st birthday,Breck!

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

I've had a lot of thinking time this week while sitting in the

 hospital  with my Mother who is battling pneumonia. 

It's moments or events like these when  you realize what is important

 may be different than what was on the daily schedule.

I'm thankful that I live in a community with state of the art medical

facilities, dedicated nurses and skilled doctors ,

for the beauty of the Christmas season,

                                                                           
                                         for my family that have taken over my farm duties
                                                while I have been taking care of Mother,

                                                                                 and
                                                    for the extended family and sweet friends
                                              that have lifted us up in prayers and offers of help.
                                             
                                          --------------------------------------------------------------

                                              Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything
                                           give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
                                                                                               I Thessalonians 5:16-18

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

Members of Arkansas Farm Bureau are in Little Rock this week for 

the annual convention which includes the policy development process of

the organization. One of the issues of discussion this year is in regard

to reforming Federal Milk Marketing Orders.  It's a complicated 

subject and definitely not for light dinner conversation! 

I do appreciate the importance of the Federal Orders in  providing 

 stability in the milk marketing process and ensuring that milk

 is available to consumers across the country. 

As I have been learning more about the Federal Milk Marketing 

system,my appreciation has grown for how hard our

 dairy cooperative works to market  milk for all of its members.

It's a great honor to be a dairy farmer working everyday

to produce high-quality milk for your family and mine

and

I'm thankful to 

be a member of  a cooperative that I trust to

do the very best job in marketing the milk we produce.