Winter's Last Hurrah

With the end of February and the turning of the calendar, we all have that 

hope and realization that spring is just around the corner.

However, March seldom gives up those last winter weather days.

As I faced the north wind and blowing snow this morning, I

was pretty sure that Winter was shouting its last hurrah and 

probably having a good laugh!

Fluctuating temperatures like we have experienced this month

are very stressful for the calves and often bring illness

such as pneumonia and scours. 

Providing  blankets to keep them warm, providing

warm milk twice daily, bedding the hutches with straw 

 or shavings and monitoring each calf  closely is 

 our everyday farmer job.

These jonquil blooms earlier this week

were just a little bit early for real spring

                               

                                  but they did confirm the hope and promise of  spring is real!

                                                                      

Zoom's Transformation

Last October during a virtual farm tour on our dairy farm,

the students found out how we raise  baby calves that are born

on our farm.  One of the students thought the name ZOOM

was a perfect name for the youngest calf on the farm 

that particular day.   Of course, we agreed!

She's been called Zoom ever since tour day but

she is also identified with her ear tag number of 3381.

That number identifies her in our computer records that

document information about her growth and development

and assist us in making management decisions as she grows

and develops into a milking cow.

At three weeks after the tour, I could tell that 

Zoom was growing  but

changes are very obvious at three months!

Zoom no longer looks through the wire panel--

                                                                   she's looking over it !

                               Over the next couple of weeks, we will be getting 

                               Zoom ready to leave her calf hutch and enter life in

                                   a small pasture with a few of her herd mates. 

                                    I'll miss the everyday interaction with Zoom

                                    but I will love  watching her continued growth

                                      and development  into a healthy dairy

                                  cow that produces  nutritious   high-quality milk.

                                           

                                               

                                               

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 my morning dairy farm  jobs is serving as the taxi driver 

to deliver the newborn calves to their private hutch in the 

calf raising area.  The calf's mother is walked to the

milk barn to join the milking herd and

I become the substitute mother making sure that 

each calf is monitored closely and fed milk and grain

twice daily. 

One of the best parts of my day is sharing this 

job with my sons. 

It's been a busy week with  one or two calves delivered 

every day and baling hay like crazy. 

I'm thankful that even in the busyness of farm life,

we always have time for celebration with our family.

We managed to celebrate a special "Going to Kindergarten"

lunch and shopping day with Hattie Claire 

and

 shared a picnic supper in the hay field  that 

ended with watching the  Decatur Barbecue fireworks show 

from the top of a hay bale.

We couldn't have asked for a better August picnic!

 

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

One of the greatest joys of family farm life is

sharing  everyday activities with our children and

grandchildren.  

Hearing the sweet little voice of Hattie was all it

took for me to abandon my farm bookkeeping task,

 throw on my coat and head to the calf 

hutches with Cody and Hattie.

The afternoon was perfect for the job of placing 

ear tags that we use to identify each heifer calf.

This identification number is used as a name and is

entered into a computer data base. The  information about

each heifer calf is used for the care  of each calf

 as they grow and mature and eventually become part

 of the milking herd.

Hattie's job was to entice the calf out of the hutch.

She obviously had the job she wanted!

I'm thankful for each moment we have together

and 

                                                and for  the memories we are creating

down on the dairy farm.

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

January must know her days are limited as she brought us 

chilling temperatures and a skiff of snow just at calf feeding

time this morning.  

A new baby and her mother were just what I needed to

warm my heart on this cold January morning.

After all the calves were fed their morning milk and grain,

we picked up the baby , transported her to a warm calf

hutch and walked her mother to the milk barn.

It's my job from this point to monitor and care for the 

baby. High-quality milk begins with a healthy cow and

it begins on this very first day.

Who else gets to feel such joy and can describe having

fun at work more days than not!

I'm thankful!

 

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

It was moooving day this week!

The move did not include any packing material or boxes--

just calves that enjoyed kicking up their heels with

 the excitement of  a new experience.

The oldest calves  in the calf hutches (at least three months old)

 were moved from their individual hutches to a small pasture

 where they will begin  living together as a herd. 

Before being put on the trailer,

each calf received a vaccination to protect them from 

common calf diseases and a dose of wormer.

This weaning process began  weeks before moving  day by

transitioning them from milk to water and a grain that is

 formulated for the growth of an older calf.

Weaned calves continue to be monitored closely for 

any signs of illness during their twice a day feeding in 

the pasture.  

I'm thankful for each of these calves

that we have raised from their

first day of life  down on the dairy farm

and

                                               the future production of high-quality milk

                                                 that begins with a healthy calf.

 

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

We had a population explosion in one night!

You might even say, Christmas came a little bit early.

Eight new calves greeted us Monday morning.

It's not unusual to find one or two during calving season but

we were a little overwhelmed to have eight new babies 

to bring in from the pasture.  

Before each calf is taken to its own hutch, we record 

information about the calf and its mother, give calf vaccinations.

dip the navel with iodine to prevent infection and provide

a warm bottle of colostrum. 

I'm thankful for our employees that

work hard everyday in helping us

care for each calf,

for our two sons that work with us

everyday down on the dairy farm 

and

even though the pandemic has caused

a lot of craziness, 

Santa still stops for milk and cookies  on Christmas Eve!

 

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

Even though it's been chilly in the mornings, 

the calves always happily greet us to drink their

warm milk  and wait on their grain feeding.

If they don't come out to meet us,

we soon find out if they are not feeling well.

It's  part of our everyday dairy farmer job to monitor the 

health of each calf and to make sure regardless of the 

weather changes that each calf eats and drinks. 

Weather is an environmental stress that can definitely

impact the health of a newborn calf.

These twenty degree temperature changes within

a few hours is rough on all of us!

 

I'm thankful for the health of our animals,

for the good health of my family and our employees

during this crazy pandemic

and

for the smiles we have had  watching

our new truck driver haul his load

of toilet paper left under the 

Christmas tree at his house.

                                                       
 

Dairyfarmer's Thankful Thursday

The calves don't seem to be a bit concerned with the

prediction of a thunderstorm. Each calf eagerly drank their milk and

began eating grain as soon as we delivered it to each bucket this 

morning under a slightly threatening set of storm clouds.

We are not always good at guessing what happens with the weather but

neither is the weatherman!

Although the calves tolerate the heat well, I am watching each one carefully

for signs of dehydration or lack of appetite that can be early signs of

 heat stress or illness.

These babies will grow to become the cows that produce milk, so we are 

committed to getting them off to a healthy start with daily consistent care.

I'm thankful when the rain holds off long enough

for the calves to eat their grain,

the hay to get baled,

                                       
                                    and for the fact that we can celebrate  eating and making
                                         ice cream during the predictably hot month of July!

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

From the minute we bring a newborn  calf into 

their own private hutch, it becomes our priority

to monitor the calf for any health issue and to 

make sure it is drinking milk  twice a day and

adding grain at the appropriate time.

Care in the hutches continues for approximately three months.

The hutch protects from weather and the pens surrounding

 them provide ample space for the calf to freely move about 

while protecting them from other members of the herd.

When the calves are transitioned out of the hutch into a small 

pasture, the training begins for living as a group,

 eating together from a grain trough and drinking at

the water tank.

My job last week was to stand in the gate and direct

 them to follow Ryan to the feed manger at feeding time.

It doesn't take very long for the calves to know

it's time for dinner!

  

I'm thankful for the opportunity we have

each day to care for our calves that will  assure a future 

of producing high-quality milk

                                                                                  and

                                                         for the little surprises down on
                                                                       the dairy farm!

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

We strive to wean a small group of calves from their

individual hutches to a group in a small pasture within

a 10 to 12 week time frame.  

This last  weaned group are a little bit older due

to trying to avoid rainy weather in a winter  season that seemed

like it rained every day! 

Newly weaned calves are still fed grain twice a day

and checked closely for any signs of illness.

 I  am thankful that this group of my babies are adapting

and thriving in their new pasture environment and

for the pride we feel in growing healthy calves that 

will eventually produce high-quality milk.

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

It was a snow day down on the dairy farm!

Well, you might call it more of a snow event since

most melted by noon.

The  older calves weren't a bit impressed by the little 

bit of snow that covered the ground. Nothing could stop 

them from drinking warm  milk and eating grain.

It's always fun to watch the youngest calves experience 

their first snow. Most were hesitant to come out of their 

warm hutches but once I coaxed them out with 

a warm bottle of milk, the snow was not an issue.

                                           Regardless of the weather, the calves are fed milk
                                        and grain twice daily  and monitored closely for any
                                                              signs of stress and illness.

                                             I'm thankful for the beauty of the snow day and for
                                            the joy we find in caring for our calves and cows
                                                       every day  down on the dairy farm.
                                         
                                       

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

Arkansas is known for unpredictable weather changes but 

this week has been ridiculous!

Our cows and calves had less than 24 hours to adapt from a 

beautiful 70 degree fall day to what felt like January bone-chilling

twenty degrees with a little sleet and snow. 

We prepared as best we could by unrolling hay

for the cows to rest on and bedding calf hutches  

with extra hay or shavings for warmth. 

I'm thankful that this baby was born on the 70 degree day

before the chilly weather

and all the calves survived with no symptoms of  illness

or hypothermia.

                                                         
                                                  I'm also very appreciative of  and thankful for
                                              the warm insulated coveralls that  kept me warm
                                                                  and a little less cranky!
                                                       

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

I returned from a trip to Little Rock just in time

to check on the calves during their afternoon feeding.

It was a dreary,rain threatening afternoon and already getting

dark when I made my way to the hutches.

The calves were already finished with their afternoon milk

and were enjoying the grain that had been added to their feed

bucket.  With the threat of rain, I was glad to see that 

each calf  had their head down in the feed bucket.

I'm not quite adjusted to the  Daylight Savings time change that 

occurred this past Sunday but 

I'm thankful that our calves don't seem to be bothered at all.

Their  growth and development goes right on

as long as we provide milk and grain twice daily and monitor 

closely for any illness.

                                                 
                                                   
                                                 

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

Although our weather has been mild compared to our farming friends to the north,

we are still dealing with  extremely  cold temperatures that bring added stress to normal

calving situations. 

This new baby was delivered without complication  in the pasture but

we decided to provide a little extra help in warming up.

Our procedure  for warming them includes a short time under   a heat lamp, providing a

warm spot in the barn  and  the usual feeding of warm colostrum.

Tomorrow he will be moved to his individual hutch.

                                       
                                                      You can see he's quite comfortable.
                                       I'm thankful for the ways we can provide care for our
                                         animals during  extreme weather and that we are
                                                              one day closer to spring!
                                                 
                                               

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

It was understandable that the calves would be a little hesitant to come 

out for their morning milk after a night of thunderstorms,

 a change to frigid temperatures followed with a skiff of snow. 

I didn't really want to come out of the house either!

It's these extreme weather changes that make it tough on our calves and

increase the importance of consistent care and close monitoring

 of each calf to assure health and wellness.

                           
                                   I'm thankful for the sunshine that warms us and our calves
                               and lifts our spirits during chilly days down on the dairy farm.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Even though we have a daily routine that includes milking our cows

 and feeding all the animals on the farm, today was anything but ordinary.

During fall or spring calving season, 

it's not unusual to have from one to three calves born.

Today we had a total of nine new babies!

It was anything but a routine afternoon  as Ryan and I worked to

give each new calf a bottle of colostrum and vaccinations to prevent illness.

I'm thankful for these kind of interruptions of our daily routine

that bring smiles to our dairy farmer faces

                                                                                  and

                                         for the new crop of calves for Hattie  to help  feed!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

In the first week of June one of our cows gave birth to a very small bull  calf.

He didn't breathe well and couldn't stand up.

Although we didn't really have a lot of hope that he would live, 

it was decided to put him in the barn instead of a hutch to care for him.

Each day he drank a little more milk and with help stood for brief moments.

In just a few days, he was the favorite calf!

He became known as "Big".

To Hattie's delight, 

Big loves being fed grain by hand

and 

sharing a kiss.

                                             
                                     I'm thankful for these sweet experiences with my family
                                                                down on the dairy farm.