Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

Sunday was truly a snow day--

it snowed all day long. It has been 

 a very long time since we have experienced a snow day

 and like  many of our friends and neighbors,

it seemed a welcome change in our daily lives that 

have been impacted by all the changes brought to us during this pandemic.

 A snow is much more welcome

than freezing rain or inches of ice that can be hazardous

to the cows walking  and  for the farmers  trying to care for them.

It's always our daily job to make sure that the cows and

calves have plenty of feed and water to meet their 

nutritional needs. Colder temperatures with a blanket of

snow made the day's work even more important 

to make sure plenty of calories were provided for 

the stress of increased cold weather conditions.

Most of the calves were eager to drink their warm milk 

                                            but   a few needed a little coaxing to enter out into 

                                              their first   experience  with  six inches of snow.

                                       

                                I'm thankful for the refreshed feeling brought with  this first

                                 snow of the season, for the magical landscape created by snow,

                                              and the reminder of how God blesses us

with the beauty provided in nature  down on the dairy farm.

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

 

Although the Pandemic has brought many 

changes to our lifestyles and cramped our 

 social gathering plans for routine and holiday events,

it has not stopped the essential work down on the

dairy farm.

We are still milking cows twice daily, seven days a week

and providing the feed and care that the cows and calves

require daily. We are proud to be considered essential

workers to provide food for our fellow Americans.

I'm thankful that  my family and our employees have remained in 

good health and able to continue the daily tasks on the dairy farm.

All across our community, we have essential workers that

are performing jobs that we often take for granted.

With the help of Midwest Dairy, our dairy promotion group,

we are able to thank a few of our essential workers with

a token of our appreciation.

This week I wrapped up an Undeniably Dairy thermos cup and

warm stocking cap  to give to our rural mailman.

                                                 I'm thankful for every essential worker and

                                                    this week I celebrate the rural mailman 

                                                   for a job well done and much appreciated!

                                                        

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

When we have visitors to the farm we often get the

question about how many times do we milk everyday.

Our cows are milked twice a day beginning at seven in the 

morning and seven at night. Between milking times, 

the cows are eating their balanced feed ration that is made available 

in the barn and pasture , drinking water and resting in the pasture.

All the procedures for both milking times are the same but

the evening milking does have a more calm atmosphere with

less people working outside,the setting of the sun and the cool of the

evening bringing a refreshment from the heat of the day.

I'm thankful for these dairy barn night lights

 that are a sign that the milking of cows 

continues  on our family farm 

                                                                                 and

                                              that even in the year of a health pandemic in
                                                   our communities and across our nation,
                                        dairy farm families like us are working day and night
                                                to provide nutritious, high-quality milk.

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

                                           Resting is part of the job for these dairy cows that 

                                      are patiently waiting to give birth in just a few short days.

                                     Each of these cows were moved from the milking herd to 

                                               the "dry" herd for a two month rest before calving.

                                            They are fed a special diet, provided plenty of water 

                                       and checked frequently  for any changes in behavior that

                                                             might indicate time for calving.

                                      

Even though we started the day with no sunshine after yesterday's rain,

I'm thankful for the picture of rest that brings a calmness

to the chaos around us and that what we do every day matters

to you and your family as we work to produce 

high-quality,nutritious milk down on the dairy farm.

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

With mud puddles in abundance and the crop fields too wet for

planting, it's easy to forget how fortunate we are for the

 clean water our cows drink everyday. 

Water is an important nutrient in the cow's diet and without

the availability of at least a bathtub full of water everyday, 

a milking cow will produce less milk.

 Even though these cows at the water tank are

 actually at rest in the pasture waiting to have a baby,

 water is important as they prepare for delivery.

I'm thankful for these daily reminders of how blessed we

are with the basics of everyday life down on the dairy farm

and

                                                           
                                              for our opportunity to share our blessings with
                                                                  the next generation!

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

Dairy farmers work closely with a variety of professionals such 

as veterinarians and animal nutritionists. One of

 my favorite professionals that we talk very little 

about is  the dairy cow hoof trimmer. 

In the human world, you might call him your

 podiatrist or  foot specialist. 

It is a known fact that comfortable  cows are healthy  cows.

Hoof trimming provides a measure of comfort that will correct

or prevent lameness.

Our hoof trimmer is a master at 

  utilizing  his skills to diagnose and treat the types of foot issues that 

each animal is experiencing or keeps the feet healthy by trimming 

the hooves for preventive maintenance.

Hoof trimmer Ben sets up his own shop when he

arrives on the farm. His hydraulic chute and table 

will place the cow on her side with her legs

 restrained for safety and  comfort. 

I'm thankful for professionals like Ben that use their

skills and love for cattle to ensure that each of our dairy

cows is comfortable, healthy and providing  high-quality

milk for your family and mine.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Who would have thought that the lights of the new Walmart.com warehouse

 would be lighting up my bedroom at night down on the dairy farm!

As you look to the east of the calf hutches and the pasture where 

our pregnant cows rest, you can see the new structure. 

This gigantic change to the neighborhood began last summer when we

 realized we could see Highway 12 after all the trees were removed. 

I'm still adjusting to the new landscape

but

I'm thankful that the cows and calves aren't bothered

one bit by the change of scenery 

and 

                                 
                             our commitment to providing high-quality milk by caring for our
                         cows and the land continue regardless of the rapid changes around us.

January Shows Off

January is showing off  with single digit temperatures for 

 multiple days and so far has just teased us with a skiff of snow.

It may be all that she can do!

There's not another layer I can add to keep warm and still fit 

into my coveralls so why shouldn't I taunt her?

Although the cows don't seem to be taking it as hard as the farmers,

we have unrolled large hay bales in the pastures for them to lay on, increased

 the amount of feed needed and made sure their water supply is not frozen.

This new baby and mother spent their first night inside

 the maternity barn for added protection from extreme cold.

                               
                                        Evaluating our cows comfort and providing what they
                                         need is an everyday  activity down on the dairy farm.

                                      Our commitment to providing high-quality milk begins
                                      with taking good care of our cows in spite of the weather!
                                           

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

It was obvious that Christmas came early for our hard working 

hoof trimmer Ben when he arrived at the farm this week  with a new 

hoof trimming chute for our herd hoof check-up.

Although Ben is a master at caring for our cows' feet, it 

would  be  impossible to keep the cows comfortable and do a good job hoof 

trimming without the proper equipment.

I'm thankful for the investment  that Ben has made in this

 new equipment that improves his ability to care for our cows

  with increased comfort for each cow.

Dairy Q&A

Question:

 How long do a dairy  cow and calf stay together?

Answer:

On our farm, the calf is usually with the mother for the first 12 hours after birth. The time varies depending on the time of birth.

The mothers will join the milking herd  and the calves are placed in an individual calf hutch to be fed and closely monitored.

Calves are separated from their mothers to ensure the best individual care and monitoring of both animals, especially in the first 24 hours.

Our calves grow up to become the cows that produce milk on our farm, so we make it a priority to get them off to a healthy start.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Dairy cattle are cared for around the clock 365 days a year.

During these cold,snowy days, I love  watching the cows gather around the hay feeders to enjoy the crop that we harvested on a hot summer day. We care for our dairy cows everyday by providing  a nutritious diet,good medical care and healthy living conditions.

Even though the snow is beautiful and moisture for the soil is appreciated, I'm thankful that we are approaching the end of winter!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Short sleeve weather in January is crazy but we've enjoyed every ray of sunshine this week!

                              I'm thankful for warmer days for all of us down on the dairy farm even
                                                though we know there's more winter ahead !

Dairy Q&A

                                                                  Question:

                           Are dairy farms closed on holidays?

Answer:

Dairy farms are never closed!

We milk our cows every day of the year--even weekends and holidays!

Our commitment to providing high-quality milk begins with taking good care of our cows everyday.

On Christmas Day, like every day, we'll milk our dairy cows twice a day,

                                     
                                 

make sure the milking cows have plenty of nutritious feed to eat,

provide hay and grain to our soon-to-calve dairy cows, 

keep a close eye on any cows giving birth,

and feed our baby calves in the hutches and pastures.

Dairy Spring Break

Triple A Farms, also known as Anglin Dairy, was the first  stop on the spring break tour for University of Arkansas animal science students  in search of  knowledge about different types of dairy production and the day to day activities on a dairy farm.

 

Only one or two of the students had ever been on a dairy farm so I'm pretty sure we provided the start of a unique spring break--much more entertaining than a  sunny, sandy beach!

 

 

The cows were curious about visitors in the feed barn but they kept on eating!

The students saw first hand that dairy farmers care for their cows by providing a nutritious diet.

 

                                                                                   
Although the baby calves are the last stop on the tour, it's always the favorite for any visitors!
These calves are the future of our dairy farm and it's easy to understand that we make it a priority to get them off to a healthy start with individual care and attention.

 

                     A fun dairy spring break tour  always ends with plenty of cheese, milk, ice cream
                                                                                  and
                                               a lot of smiles from both farmers and students!

                                                                               

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Just as these pregnant  cows and heifers are waiting patiently for their afternoon grain to be fed,

we're anxiously waiting to  welcome  new baby calves to our dairy farm!

 

 

Even though we welcome new babies any time,

 I'm thankful that these cows and heifers will calve in warmer temperatures and without  sleet, snow or ice!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Twenty six degrees this morning  seemed like a heat wave after the two days of single digit temperatures. Warmer temperatures brought a lot more smiles to  all of us as we worked to care for our calves and cows.

I am thankful for our employees, who not only work extremely hard every day, but bring a sense of humor to help us get through the tough weather  days down on the dairy farm.

 

 

The cows didn't even notice the blue Ferbie in the field!

Dairy Farm Snow Day

Even though my toes were cold and I was looking forward to warming by the fire after late afternoon chores, I had to pull out my phone for a snapshot of this evening's sunset.  Snow brightened the background around the cows as they gathered around the feed wagons for a late afternoon snack before returning to the milk barn for the evening milking.

Snow days on the dairy farm are a lot different than a school day snow day!

 

With plenty of feed and water available, the cows don't seem to find the cold temperatures or  snow to be a problem.

For their comfort, large round hay bales have been unrolled   for them to rest on  while they are in the pasture.

 

 

Extreme cold weather presents a lot of challenges when trying to do the everyday chores on a dairy farm. Machines and vehicles  just don't work good at below  zero degrees!

The best part of our snow day is when all the animals are cared for and we can rest and prepare ourselves for tomorrow's challenges with the hope of warmer weather for us and the cows.

 

 

Dairy Farm Snow Days

                           Snow days, like everyday  on the dairy farm, are filled with activities
                                           that focus on caring for our cows by making sure

 

they have plenty of nutritious food to eat,

 

 

fresh water to drink,

 

windbreaks for protection,

 

and

hay to lay on instead of snow.

 

Sunshine and warmer temperatures  were a welcome sight today for both farmers and cows!

 

Dairy Cow Check-ups

Thank goodness we don't have to load up all the dairy cows and haul them to the doctor's office for their routine check-ups! Cow check-ups happen once a month  when Dr. Gary France, our cow family's veterinarian, comes to the farm for what we call  "herd health" day.
As I watched the cows approach for check-ups
this morning, it was obvious that they were aware of a change in the daily routine!

On the way to the feed barn after being milked, the cows took a detour to the doctor's farm office known as the health management area. This area is a simply designed place for the cows to stand comfortably for examination and treatment when needed. After being examined for pregnancy or any health issue, the cows return to their normal everyday schedule of walking to the feed barn to enjoy their balanced diet before going back to the pasture to rest.

My job during cow check-ups is to provide information to the doctor about each cow and record all the health information from the veterinarian. Information from today's herd health exams will be entered into our computer records and used to manage the health care of each cow. Cow check-ups are an important part of our commitment to providing high-quality milk by taking good care of our cows.

                                       I'm thankful veterinarians still make dairy farm calls!