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

When I spotted this new calf lying next to the fence in the 

 early evening,she was all alone. It was only a few seconds

 before Mama joined us to make sure I was not a threat.

  I thought it was a perfect example of how the mothering instinct

 kicks in to protect her baby.The sun filtering through the trees

 seemed to put her in the spotlight!

I'm thankful for a healthy new calf  born on one of the 

hottest August days without any complication to the mother's health!

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

It was the perfect spring morning to walk across the pasture to 

find this baby snuggled down in the loose hay around the manger.

As usual, Mama stayed between me and the calf just in case 

I should act wild and crazy or the farm  dogs following me got too close!

                                                         
                                           I am thankful for new life down on the dairy farm
                                                                              and
                                                           

                                                                 for the gifts of spring!

Dairymom'sThankful Thursday

                               
                        What's not to love about this picture of spring down on the dairy farm!
                             

We have calves born through out the year but spring calving adds a 

little more stress as we closely watch our heifers give birth to their first calf.

We're on call 24/7  to ensure a healthy delivery.

I'm thankful for the awesome responsibility we have to care

 for our cows, heifers and calves and  to share the life experiences with 

the next generation of our family farm.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

We felt just a tease of spring this past week with temperatures 

above 60 degrees for a couple of days and the birth of a calf.

Even though we see calves born throughout the year,

it was the perfect reminder of many good things to come!

Spring brings the birth of many calves from the heifers we have raised 

from birth. These first calf heifers have been cared for

 everyday of their lives for at least two years before giving birth.

Our heifer birthing watch started this week with the arrival

 of 10 heifers  to the pasture by the house.

All of our heifer calves grow up to become the cows that 

produce  high-quality milk,

so we make it a priority to get them off to a healthy start.

I'm thankful for the many signs of  hope that are provided when

we so desperately need them down on the dairy farm.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Welcome Miss January!

It was obvious that being born on a single digit morning entitles you

 to special treatment from more than one mother.

                         
                           Miss January was full of energy as she darted around the hay manger
                                         followed quickly by her mother and adoptive mother.
                             
                                              I'm thankful that the cows and  calves tolerate
                                               the cold temperatures better than the farmers!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Although it's not quite spring according to the calendar,

we've already started celebrating down on the dairy farm this week  by 

bringing home a few heifers that will soon have their first calf.

Since a heifer has never experienced having a baby, 

it's our job to monitor them closely in case assistance is needed.

                                                   I'm thankful for every spring delivery!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

                        We were just getting the gates ready to walk this heifer to the barn  for
                         delivery assistance when she laid down and within a minute, delivered  her calf.
                                    She wasted no time standing up to clean  her baby and
                                          nudge the newborn to stand up for the first time.

                                                             Aren't mothers amazing?
                       

I'm thankful for the safe delivery of every 

new baby down on the dairy farm!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

You never know when you may witness a miracle down on the dairy farm.

I missed the delivery but was just in time to watch this

 new mother clean up her baby with a good licking

 and encourage those first wobbly steps. 

                                     Even though it was just an ordinary walk to the mailbox,
                               I'm thankful for the miracles in my life down on the dairy farm.

Dairy Life Lesson

Although this new momma had to have a little assistance delivering her calf, 

she instinctively knew how to care for him. Within the hour after giving birth,

 she was busy licking him and urging him to stand up for the first time.

He was a little wobbly on that first step but he made it!

It's such a sweet picture of  encouragement and a lesson in life  

that we witness often down on the dairy farm.

Encourage one another.

                          1 Thessalonians 5:11

Mother Love

Will the real mother step forward?

That was my thought as I watched these other pregnant cows try to claim this new calf. 

It doesn't happen too often, but sometimes a pregnant  cow will try to 

claim every new baby  before she has her own calf. 

                                   
                                                 The real mother, the Ayrshire in the center,
                                   did step forward when the other cows got a little too close.
                                              Maternal instinct is strong and protective and
                                 one of the many miracles we witness down on the dairy farm.
                                         

Monday's Moo

Even though we witness new life often on our family dairy farm, it is never routine.

Each birth is a celebration.

                                         
                            Life down on the dairy farm isn't always easy but we pride ourselves
                                       in caring for our animals,contributing to the local economy,
                                                                    and most important,
                                     producing healthy high-quality  milk, for you and your family.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

There's only one thing sweeter than a newborn calf

and that, of course, is twins!

                                            After laboring with no result, this momma received
                                            a little delivery assistance from the Anglin brothers.
                                         
                                       I'm thankful for these two heifers that we welcomed to the
                                    dairy farm this morning and the teamwork that made it possible.
                                                                       

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

A new baby was born at noon today just as the rain stopped and the temperatures dropped. 

It seemed like the other cows in the pasture were celebrating,too!

I'm thankful for these miracles that we witness on the dairy farm,

the weather change that reminds us a change of season is on the way,

and the beauty that surrounds us for our everyday enjoyment!

                                                                      Happy Thursday!

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!

                                                                               
 
                                                                             

Saturday Night's Calf Bath

A Saturday night bath given by a new mama down on the dairy farm is always a special event!

 I was actually surprised to find that the arrival of this new baby happened so quickly. After  watching this pregnant  mama all afternoon trying to claim another cow's calf,  we  made the decision to move her to the maternity barn in anticipation of  needing to assist with  delivery.  Removing her from the distraction of the other calf, obviously worked to encourage her to  focus on her job to deliver this new baby. For me, it's always a relief  and a time of appreciation   to watch the natural process of the new mother cleaning her baby as  part of a healthy welcome.

Saturday night baths down on the dairy farm are always exciting!

January Delivers Spring Down on the Dairy

How often do we get a 60 degree January day on the dairy farm? Not very often this year!

Although Mother Nature was just teasing us today with a spring-like day, it   was  a perfect day

    for welcoming a new calf into the world. 

 

 

We're always keeping a close eye on our cows to ensure a healthy delivery, but it was nice to know that this baby would be born on a much warmer January  day.

 

 Our calves are usually born in the pasture but with the extremely cold January days that we have experienced,  we have been moving  the mamas to the maternity barn close to calving time  so the baby would be born  in a more protective environment.

 

With tomorrow's forecast for twenty degrees, it looks like we'll be back to the maternity barn for delivery!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Birthday Baby!

Happy Birthday Baby! We woke up Saturday morning to find the arrival of a new baby calf in the pasture.  We try to avoid having  dairy calves in the coldest months but we always manage to have a few new babies scattered through out the year.  As mild as our January weather has been this year, it's too bad we weren't  having alot more birthdays!

This baby calf stayed with his mother for about twelve hours in the pasture before being moved to the calf raising area.  Calves are separated from their mothers to ensure the best individual care and monitoring. Each of our calves is placed in an individual hutch and fed twice daily. Our babies are bottle fed for three days with the colostrum milk from their mother and then taught to drink from a bucket.  Grain is added to their diet when they start drinking from the bucket. I'm their momma for the next eight to ten weeks before they will be moved to a small pasture.

Experiencing new life on the  dairy farm is always a blessing and a reminder to me of the commitment we have to provide high-quality milk by taking good care of our calves and cows.  I think we may name this baby--January! 

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

With the arrival of spring, I am thankful for warmer weather,the smell of fresh green grass and the miracle of new life on the farm! This baby Holstein calf was born just a couple of hours ago and being cared for by her mother while the dairy farmer watches over both.