Drought in a Season of Blessings

Drought---it's defined as a prolonged dry period in the natural

climate cycle that can occur anywhere in the world.

It's happening in Northwest Arkansas!

Last week, our area was declared a drought area --D2 --to

be specific.

As you can see all around us--the color is brown.

Brown grass and brown trees.

Ponds are extremely low or dried up.

                                    

                                We actually moved beef cows from this pasture last week 

                                      because of very little water.  Even though there

                            is still water in the pond, the water quality has diminished.

                                 Hay feeding has been a daily job for several weeks.

Even during drought periods there are blessings.

At the beginning of this drought period when the grass

still had a little green color, we were able to chop the

corn for silage.  This silage will be used in our

feed ration and will definitely help provide nutrition 

and help stretch our hay supply.

                                

                                        Blessings come in all sizes---like finding a buyer

                          for our large milk tank.  It left for another dairy farm today!

                                                         

Even during drought--we are blessed with new life on the farm!

                                  A highlight and for sure a blessing during this drought--

                                                               a wedding!

                       We've been showered with blessings during this season of drought!

                              

                                                   

Baby Days

                                           

                                  It's been a perfect fall for welcoming  new babies to our beef herd.

                                There's nothing cuter than new calves running around the pasture

                           in search of new adventures while under the watchful eye of their mother.

                                    

                                              For the last few weeks, Ryan has been checking

                                          two groups of heifers several times a day that are due

                                          to give birth for the first time.  Fortunately, all but one

                                          have calved on their own and with assistance, that calf

                                          was born alive and healthy.  Needless to say, we feel very

                                          fortunate for a healthy calf crop.

                                          

Aren't they cute?

Cutest in the herd, of course, is the

youngest grandson!

As my mother-in-law said 

"best crop I ever raised" when speaking of her family.

                                               I'm thankful for life down on the farm and 

                                the opportunity we have of sharing our love of the farm

                                                     with the next generation.

 

Happy October !

Change is the constant factor in life down on the farm.

I was shocked when I looked at the date of the last time I posted on the blog.

Summer has come and gone and now we welcome fall

and all the beauty October will bring.

Here's a sampling of what went on this summer on the farm 

and in the family. 

We don't milk cows anymore but we are still raising dairy heifers

and beef cows,

 

we opened a coffee trailer on a corner of the farm,

we shipped a group of bred heifers to a farm in Florida,

we celebrated Casey's 33rd birthday,

and 

we welcomed Truitt Anglin to our family.

                                           Now you know why there was so little blogging time!

                                                               Happy October!!

Barns and Babies

The days of spring down on the farm are 

always busy with cattle working to improve the health of our beef cattle

and fertilizing the fields that will bring on the growth of hay but

this year we added barn building onto the schedule.

This barn will be used to store hay.  When complete it will 

also have areas on the side that cattle can rest under for shade or 

for protection from inclement winter weather.

Truly a picture of modern day barn raising with all family members

involved as the crane was lifting the trusses in place.

We still manage to enjoy the beauty of spring 

as we check cattle and watch the new babies

stay  close to their mama or run around like crazy,

                                          to celebrate the spring birthdays with the family,

                        

                                                and appreciate the beauty in the garden.
 

                           

                                          I hope you are enjoying and celebrating spring

                                    as much as we are down on the Arkansas farm!

Spring's Celebrations

Spring has sprung down on the farm!

Just the day before the calendar claims that spring has begun

we were blessed to celebrate my Mother's 92nd birthday.

As you can see, it's a family tradition to help in the 

candle blowing ceremony!

Even the beef cows are celebrating the warmer days

of spring  and didn't seem to mind posing for 

a picture while hanging around the hay manger.

Spring finds us celebrating the birth of new calves.

Although most beef cows have plenty of milk for their 

babies, we do have an occasional calf that may need a 

little help when Momma doesn't have any milk or the baby 

is not trying to nurse for whatever reason.

That's when the farmer instinct takes over  and he  feeds the baby.

Celebrating spring with a farmer always brings

a smile on my face as you see the passion 

he feels for his farm and family!

Happy Spring!

 

Thankful Thursday

Although our daylight hours are silently 

slipping away as fall approaches,

the hours in September have been packed

with weaning calves and cattle working.

Each calf has received a new ear tag for 

identification, vaccinations, and wormer before

being moved to a new pasture. 

It wasn't a rodeo but it was fun to watch the 

calves kicking up their heels and showing off

as they were released from the head chute.

We decided it was their reaction to the cooler

temperatures we were all enjoying!

Even though we are not milking cows on the farm,

we are still raising babies in the hutches.

These calves are from our cows

 that are being milked at other farms. 

Their care requires feeding milk and grain 

twice daily and monitoring them

 closely for any illness. 

Living on the farm isn't just all work!

As you can see,

Hattie and Breck make life exciting and fun.

                                      I'm thankful for our life on the farm and for the jobs

                                                      of raising calves and kids!

Thankful Thursday

Although every day is different on the farm, 

we also have a routine that you can set your clock by.

When I see the calves gathering by the gate, hear the chain on the gate fall,

and see black calves turn and make  the big run for the feed manger,

I know the farmer with the feed has arrived!

The farmer and his feed truck are a little like the Pied Piper.

Calves will follow the farmer and his feed truck anywhere!

                                  

                                         Calves aren't the only things growing down on the farm!

                                   

                                 I'm thankful that Breck and Hattie are often part of our routine

                                                             days down on the farm!

Thankful Thursday

After the chores were finished, our family  gathered around the table for

our traditional  July 4th picnic supper in the cool of the air conditioner and

then made our journey to the pond for a fantastic fireworks display.

We all have a few mosquito and chigger bites but it was worth it

for the fun we had.

I am thankful for the many July 4th  memories we have

 made in this pastoral spot on the farm,

for the curious guests that joined in the fun until the first 

fire cracker was lit,

for the two inches of rain we received that 

allowed us to plant  part of our fall crop,

and

 for the freedoms we enjoy every day!

                                                            God bless America!
 

Thankful Thursday

Our hay cutting season is getting off to a really slow start due

to our soggy weather but we did get started  with the field next to the 

house that is less soggy than many others.

It was important to get the mixture of rye grass and weeds cut 

so the Bermuda grass would

have a better chance to grow for the second cutting.

Even though our work has been slowed down

by the weather, I am thankful for the opportunity 

it has provided for us to  enjoy the company of those 

around us,

 let our imaginations run wild in the 

fairy garden,

                                                         
                                                            and celebrate a birthday or two!

Thankful Thursday

It may be too cold or  wet for pasture grasses or crops to grow,

but you can always count on the weeds to take advantage of the 

worst conditions!

We were grateful for the two days without rain that allowed 

Cody to begin weed control spraying in the pasture next to the house.

This pasture has a variety of Bermuda and other mixed grasses that

will grow much better with less competition from the weeds and make

a more nutritious  hay bale for our cows to enjoy.

If you look closely, you can see a couple of extra heads in the 

tractor cab.  

Hattie and Breck didn't waste the opportunity 

to ride in the tractor with their Daddy.

I am thankful that we can share life on the farm with 

our family and celebrate the milestones of 

each year  with those we love the most!