Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

                           

                            It's been a week of wild weather changes from balmy

                          70 degrees  down to the  low thirties .   To go with 

                           the changes,  we have welcomed five new calves

                            this week.  I don't know   if it is scientific or just 

                            coincidence,   but full moons and   barometer

                           changes  often bring   calving action in the pasture!

One of my favorite jobs is to be the Uber driver for

picking up calves and delivering them to their calf hutch.

I am a good driver going forward but watch out for those 

trailer back up skills!

Our calves will  spend the first three months in

an individual calf hutch where they are closely monitored

and fed milk and grain twice daily.

A healthy calf is the beginning for high-quality milk.

                                       I'm so thankful to live and work down on the dairy

                               farm with my family and for the opportunity to    share 

                                         with my friend just where milk comes from. 

                                                        

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

One of the best things about farm living is that we have

so many  moments  that fit the old phrase

 "a picture is worth a thousand words".

The sun has been more than welcome in helping to melt off

the two weeks of cold temperatures, ice and snow.

Last week we had cows calving in below zero temperatures and

today's baby arrived with a warm forty degrees.

Isn't is amazing what a difference the sunshine makes to our stress level?

In the very same day, I received a box of sunshine from my

dear friend that is working every day as a nurse during the 

pandemic of our lifetime.

In her very own words, "a little ray of healthy vitamin C and

sunshine". She's my hero!

I'm thankful for the sunshine gifts of life and love

that God sends us everyday! 

                                    

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

Surprise!

Surprise was our initial reaction when we found 

this cute red and white calf in the 

pasture this morning  while checking for  over 

night deliveries. This is a  a red and white 

Holstein  but when both the mother and father 

are black and white, 

it is a complete surprise to find a different color!

 

                                                  As you can see from the chart below, 

                                       there are 6 recognized breeds of dairy cattle.

                                    Each one is beautiful and has its own characteristics.

                                    The Holstein, which can be black and white or 

                                      red and white, is the largest of the dairy breeds

                                         and gives   the greatest volume of milk. 

                               During our sons' 4-H dairy project years we enjoyed 

                             raising  Guernseys, Brown Swiss, Ayrshire and Holstein.

                             We loved them all but the Holstein and Ayrshire are

                                        the breeds that are in today's milking herd. 

                                I'm thankful for these surprises that happen on just an 

                                              ordinary day down on the dairy farm.

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

Finding this new baby hiding in the buttercups was a little like playing 

hide and seek with granddaughter Hattie. The obvious clue was the

 Holstein mother standing close by just waiting for recognition!

It's a comfort during these days of COVID19 to  experience 

normal activities down on the dairy farm.

Our daily mission of caring for our animals and producing safe, 

nutritious  high-quality milk has not changed.

I'm thankful for our dedicated employees that have come

to work everyday and for the fact that all are still healthy,

for the surprise visits from our flower loving,watering girl Hattie,

and for the beauty around us

confirming who is in control of all circumstances

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

It was just an ordinary day down on the dairy farm.

It's common to see the cows resting in the pasture but

I noticed several were gathered around the hay manger.

Two were resting, two were eating and one was keeping

a close eye on what we were doing in the calf hutches.

Her posture made me think that she might come over to ask

us a question!

I'm thankful for the moments that we just simply feel

blessed by the opportunity to  watch normal resting activities of 

our dairy herd, care for our animals and work to produce nutritious 

milk for your family and mine.

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

What happened to our snow?

I was hoping for at least enough to cover up the mud

that we have been dealing with this winter!

The cows weren't a bit impressed with the big snow either.

We have had 2 new calves born in the last 24 hours and both are

doing well. It's obvious that weather conditions are not

a factor in delaying activity on the farm.

Due to the muddy conditions experienced all winter, 

we have unrolled hay in the pasture where cows are calving. 

These expectant cows are always

monitored closely for the anticipated birth of a calf but

with changes in temperature and weather conditions, we 

become even more alert to the need for rapid response

 to provide for a safe delivery.

                                         I'm thankful for just the little bit of snow down on the
                                  dairy farm and for the opportunity to be a part of this new
                                  beginning that is part of  our farm's sustainability in producing
                                                         milk for your family and mine.

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

Being a "dry" cow means that you are resting and not giving milk everyday 

while you wait for the birth of your baby.

These dry cows  are due to calve within the next two weeks and

 are in the pasture next to our house so we can monitor them closely.

Even though we've had our share of cold and dreary days in January,

I'm thankful for  each bright black and white spotted cow that brighten our days

and

                       
                                                   for the opportunity to care for each one
                                                      everyday down on the dairy farm.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Last week members of  our Benton County  Farm Bureau 

Women's Leadership Committee spent the morning at 

Mathias Elementary with 4th and 5th grade students to provide 

information about Arkansas agriculture.

It's always fun to milk Frannie the Arkansas Farm Bureau cow.

Frannie is  the perfect cow  for school visits because  she doesn't

kick or swish her tail in your face when milking!

I'm thankful for the opportunity to share how 

milk is produced on our Arkansas dairy farm

and

to live on the farm and care for the animals that

 provide high-quality nutritious milk.

Happy Mother's Day

A Mother's Love

A mother's love is special

It's present every day.

A gift that came from heaven

That God has sent our way.

Her job is never ending

She's there all day and night. 

To be there for her children 

An be their guiding light. 

Her thoughts are with them always

Even if they are apart.

Her children have a special place

Deep down inside her heart.

Mother's are a special gift-

A gift from up above,

This world would seem so empty

Without a Mother's Love.

                                    --T. Entzminger

From down on the dairy farm...

                                       
                                                        Happy Mother's Day!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

It's standard treatment for pregnant cows to have a two month rest period

 before giving birth.Two weeks before the expected calving date, 

we move the cows or heifers to the field close to our 

house so we can monitor them closely.

                         
                                                       I'm thankful for all safe arrivals
                                                                                and
                                        for this week's new addition to the dairy farm family!

Debate Free Dairy

Absolutely no time for  debates down on the dairy farm...

                                 
                               We're too busy welcoming new members to the dairy herd!
                               

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

                                           As we finished feeding the calves yesterday afternoon,
                                        these soon to be mamas gathered up next to the fence.

                                       It seemed like they had a lot they wanted to talk about
                                but when I moved closer to the fence most of them moved back.
                                       I didn't take it personally because though they are large
                                       curious creatures, cows don't usually want hugs and kisses.

                             I'm thankful for the one that listened to me and for the fact  that we
                        are given the opportunity to care for these beautiful dairy cows everyday!


                                       
                                                  June Dairy Month--it's all about the cows!

Hide and Seek

Just as we started feeding baby calves this morning, this cute little Holstein bull  was born.

We put a red neck tag on him and left him in the field with his Ayrshire  mother.

Late in the afternoon, I saw his mother standing in the shade with the other cows without her baby. 

It's way too hot to be playing hide and seek!

After riding the 4-wheeler  around the pasture in search of the baby, I found him resting in the grass.

I guess he decided  it was just too hot to tag along with mom!

His  mom appeared within a minute of my arrival in front of the calf

 and quickly let me know   who was in charge...and that 

the game of hide and seek was over.

Mama and baby are doing well in spite of our 100 degree weather!

                                                                               
 
                                                                             

Dairy Q&A

                                                                       Question: 

                    What kind of dairy cattle do you have on your farm?

                                                                         Answer:

Holsteins (black and white)

and 

Ayrshire (red and white)

There are 6 dairy breeds of North America: 

Jersey, Holstein, Guernsey, Ayrshire,

Milking Shorthorn and Brown Swiss

Happy Mother's Day!

Hope Mother's Day is full of blessings for you and your family!

We're celebrating the birth of 5 calves this morning--a perfect Mother's Day!

                                                        Mother's are outstanding in any field!

                                                         Happy Mother's Day!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

While I was  mowing along the fence yesterday, grass clippings blew within reach of these soon to be mama cows. Although our pregnant cows  enjoy grazing in the pasture and are fed a  special balanced and nutritious  diet to prepare them for calving, they were enjoying the grass clippings like kids in a candy store.

                                       I'm thankful for these unexpected moments that bring a smile
                                 and for the  appreciation I have  for these perfect recycling experts!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

I went to check on this group of calves that were moved from the hutches to the pasture a few weeks ago. They're all doing great and I laughed to see who was leading the group of Holsteins--our little orphan beef calf, Lucky. 

Lucky will join the beef cattle herd when she gets a little older but for now she seems to be enjoying life with the Holsteins.

I'm thankful to work every day on our family dairy farm 

raising and caring for animals on the land we call home.

Holstein Yard Ornament

I was so excited to see the rain Saturday morning that I nearly missed the new black and white yard ornament in the iris bed just outside the patio door. When this ornament moved, it was a sure sign that it was not a concrete yard ornament!  The new baby Holstein heifer that was born late Friday afternoon had managed to get under the bottom wire of the yard fence and cuddle up in the flower bed.

Soon after being discovered, she was taxied to the calf raising  area and placed inside her own individual hutch. Before escaping to the yard,she had already received her first bottle of colostrum and will receive her mother's colostrum milk in a bottle for the next couple of days. Colostrum is needed for every calf because it contains the protective antibodies to fight disease. We monitor the quality of the colostrum with a colostrometer to make sure we are providing the best for each calf.
Freezing extra colostrum provides a supply of quality colostrum when needed for other newborn calves.

 

No longer a Holstein yard ornament, she is now enjoying being fed milk twice a day,individual care and   monitored for any problems. High quality milk is produced by a healthy cow and that begins with the quality colostrum and care each calf receives from the start!

Fixing Fence and Picking Flowers

When the neighbor calls to tell us that  a Holstein heifer is looking in his  bedroom window, we respond as quickly as possible. Oldest son Cody received the call this afternoon and I was quickly voted to be the assistant for this cattle round-up.  Fortunately for Cody, it was only  one heifer that happened to be loose and  I didn't get a real chance to show off all my cattle skills! My main job was to help head her in the direction of the gate.  While Cody mended the fence, I walked down the fence row checking for other broken wires.

One by one, the heifers came to watch Cody fixing the fence. I wonder if they sensed that they would no longer be able to visit the neighbor's yard?

Not finding any other gaps in the fence, I began to notice daffodils blooming around a few trees.  When I got back to the truck, Cody was ready to leave and noticing the bouquet in my hand, his smile said it all as he shook his head and said, "I'm fixing fence and you're picking flowers!"

                         I wouldn't take anything for these moments on the dairy farm with my family!

Cow Pride

It is impossible to party during June Dairy Month without bringing recognition to the heart of our dairy story---our cows! We milk a total of 300 cows twice daily every day of the year. Our herd consists of Holstein dairy cows ,one Guernsey and three Ayrshire. Our cows are the present and future of our farm. We respect them for what they provide for us and we work diligently everyday to provide nutritious feed,clean water, and comfortable surroundings. I enjoy watching the growth and development of each animal that we raise from calf to milking cow.

There are actually six different breeds of dairy cattle: Ayrshire,Brown Swiss,Guernsey, Jersey,Holstein, and Milking Shorthorn. Each breed was developed in its own country and brought to America. You can find more information about each breed at http://www.dairyfarmingtoday.org/.

Here are some interesting general facts about dairy cows:

• the average cow weighs 1400 pounds
  


• live to be about 18 years old; a normal production life for a Holstein is around 6 years



• a newborn calf weighs 90 pounds and walks on its own one hour from birth



• spend an average of 6 hours each day eating and an additional eight hours ruminating or chewing their cud
  


• most chew at least 50 times per minute
  


• graze by curling their tongues around grass and pulling rather than nibbling like a horse does
  


• have 4 stomach compartments and consume 90 pounds of feed everyday
  


• drink the equivalent of a bathtub full of water each day
  


• sleep lying down--just like people
  


• have an acute sense of smell--can smell something up to 6 miles away

June Dairy Month is the perfect time to celebrate our product and the commitment of America's dairy farm families working everyday to provide high quality milk by taking good care of our cows!