Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

We've been adopted by two of the sweetest gray cats. This one followed us from the dairy barn  to the calf hutches and must have decided  feeding calves was just too tiring!

                             I'm thankful for the moments like this that bring a smile and 
                              an appreciation for the enjoyment we receive everyday  as
                            we care for all our  animals down on the Arkansas  dairy farm.

June Dairy Month--It's All About the Cows!

Just when you think there's not another minute to add another job  in the day on the dairy farm  during June Dairy Month , we begin a project! Quality water is essential to a dairy farm and  the good thing about our   project is   that when completed it  will protect, conserve, and recycle the water supply on our farm.  A water line from the dairy barn will provide recycled  water from the energy saving milk plate cooler  to two rubber tire water tanks in the pasture for a group of our milking cows.

 

 

Most of this project work began late in the afternoon after other chores and field work  were completed. It required a lot of coordinated  planning to be sure materials, machinery, and manpower were available.
 

 

 After installing the water lines, the work began to build the pad for the large rubber tire tanks.


 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



After the forms were built for the cement pad and the pipe placed for the water, the tire was set.

The devil is always  in the details!

 

 

Fortunately we had a beautiful sunny

Saturday for pouring the  cement  pad under the tires.

 

 

Hopefully by the end of the week, we'll finish this project and the cows will be enjoying water from the new tanks.

Providing our cows with clean water contributes to high-quality milk.

 

 

 

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

 

Arkansas Scrub Cow Extinction

While researching for information about agriculture history in Benton County, I learned  how the dairy industry evolved in Northwest Arkansas. In the late 1920's and early 1930's, Arkansas "scrub" cows produced not more than a gallon or two of milk a day and had a butterfat content lower than today's standards. With limited production from the family cow and only occasional surplus to sell, most farmers were content with status quo. Status quo was pushed out of the way in the early 1930's by drought and disease that opened the door to improved cattle genetics that lead to improved milk production without increasing the feed cost. Dairy herd improvements led to the extinction of the Arkansas "scrub"cow.

Extinction of the Arkansas "scrub" cow brought increased productivity that led to the development of markets for the milk. In 1947 Kraft opened the Bentonville plant. It was recorded that 740 producers provided 77,000 pounds of milk in 10 gallon cans on 18 routes. The plant was originally equipped to produce cheddar cheese but later changed to Swiss production. Today the plant produces cheese product ingredients.

On opening day of the Kraft Plant, five thousand people came to the rural town of Bentonville to celebrate and tour the plant. It was stated that people came from four states in wagons,battered pick-up trucks,and on horseback. I found this even more interesting when my mother told me that she was marching in the parade with the Bentonville High School Band for this special celebration!
 

Learning about Benton County's dairy industry history has given me a greater appreciation for the hard work and dedication of Arkansas dairy farmers and industry leaders that blazed the trail for the fourth generation of dairy farmers in my own family!