Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

So far, January weather has just been teasing us with skiffs

 of snow and frigid temperatures that blew in from the north after

 seventy degree temperatures during the holidays.

These extreme changes of weather are a stress on all of us.

It becomes even more important to closely monitor the cows 

and calves for any sign of illness during stressful events and

provide comfort and protection as much as possible.

Blanket coats for the calves and hay rolled out for the cows to rest

on during frigid temperatures are ways we can reduce the stress 

created by  weather conditions beyond our control.

I'm thankful for the healthy calves that have been born during 

challenging weather conditions,

for our devoted farm dogs that provide entertainment

for us and the cows,

and for the warm blanket coats  for the calves and

the farmers that care for all the animals down on the

dairy farm.

                                          

National Nutrition Month

March is National Nutrition Month!

As a dairy farmer, I am proud to work everyday to 

produce milk, a food that  contains nutrients, including

 calcium, potassium, protein and phosphorus; plus,

 it's fortified with vitamins A and D.

It's the perfect month for learning a little more about

the true difference in the milk you find on your grocery shelf.

       Thanks to the National Dairy Council for providing this 

        comparative information and for their commitment since 

    1915 in taking a leading role in the fight against poor

         nutrition,  inactivity and obesity among our nation's youth.

 

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 Delight

Providing a nutritious diet for our dairy cows is an everyday job

down on the dairy farm. The diet can include a variety of ingredients but

it is a balanced diet that is formulated by our dairy nutritionist. 

Our cows' diet currently includes silage, hay, vitamins and minerals, and ground 

corn. Each ingredient provides a nutrient that the cow needs to produce milk

and maintain body functions. 

I was reminded of the importance of good nutrition this week by my

family doctor during my "Welcome to Medicare" yearly physical.

As we reviewed the lab work, the discussion turned to the need for

a bone density test, a review of calcium and vitamin D requirements

 and how to increase the calcium in my diet.

It was music to my ears, when I was encouraged to increase the

dairy in my diet! Was my doctor trying to make this dairy farmer's day?

Instead of taking a calcium pill, could I increase the dairy in my diet?

Wow--could I increase the dairy in my diet? You bet!

A dairy farmer's delight!

There may come a time when I need that calcium pill and I

 will be happy to take it, but I'd much rather improve my 

dietary habits than to take a calcium pill!

After all, milk contains nutrients, including calcium, potassium,

 protein and phosphorus; plus, it's fortified with vitamins A and D.

When I left the clinic, my thoughts turned to the decades of nutrition research  

 and the ongoing educational efforts of the National Dairy Council.

  As a dairy farmer, a nurse and now a member of the Medicare age group,

I'm thankful and grateful for the nutritional information and education shared

 by the National Dairy Council with physicians and other health

 professionals  that are caring for all ages.

 

 

Farm Story Anniversary

My Undeniably Dairy  Farm Story began when

I said "I do" on 

November 24,1984.

It's been thirty-five years of  loving a dairy farmer,

making a home and raising a family

and

 working everyday with my family to produce nutritious 

milk for your family and mine.

                             
                                                     You can't make up stories like ours!

                                               Just as my sweet anniversary card said,
                                         "love takes work, and time, a Lifetime, to be exact."
       

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

 Saturday afternoon was the perfect example of farmer flexibility.

You can have all kinds of plans but when the neighbor calls

to report a wandering heifer  running down the road, all plans change.

We jumped in the truck and drove up and down the road looking

for the same heifer that has been out of the pasture more than once.

After she was located in the neighbor's yard, Cody arrived with the

4-wheeler and we drove her back to the pasture. 

Of course,the heifer had no thought of going through 

the gate we had opened.She ran back to the spot where the fence

 was down and jumped over it with the grace of a deer. 

It certainly made it easy to find where the tree had

 fallen on the fence that   needed repair!

While Cody and Ryan fixed fence, all of the curious 

heifers moved in to check things out.

I loved seeing this group of bred heifers gather around 

through the timber. Each of these beauties have been raised by us

 and will give birth to their first calf in a few months.

I'm thankful that there was only one heifer that found the

way out, for our neighbors that  care enough to call

when a cow or heifer may be found wandering in the neighborhood

and for the dedicated dairy farmers committed to taking good care 

of their cows and heifers.

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

To cut or not to cut? 

That has been the question most discussed 

during this season of rain not only down on the dairy farm

but by farmers across  Benton County and many parts of Arkansas.

Hay is an important crop for all livestock farmers and growing

it is an important part of  our farm's  sustainability.

Many fields are still too wet to cut but after much discussion

it was decided to take our chances and start with the small field 

next to the house so it can be fertilized for the next cutting.

Too much rain has created the need for more creative planning and

adjusting our usual work schedules but

I'm thankful for the rain because without it,

nothing grows.

Too much or too little of anything, reminds us who is in control.

Even the lilies know that! 

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

                                 
                                         Arkansas Farm Bureau celebrated June Dairy Month
                                     by sponsoring the Dairy Foods Contest today in Little Rock.
                                            This contest has been a youth activity sponsored
                                            by Arkansas Farm Bureau  for more than 60 years.
                                     
                                         As a dairy farmer, I was honored to be one of three judges
                                               with the task of selecting the best dairy  recipe prepared
                                            and served by 4-H contestants from across the state.
                                                           It was a hard but very delightful  job!

                                        Today's first place winner of the Main Dish category
                                                              was Kalin Key of Eldorado. 
                                        Her recipe was "Almost Cajun Creamy Shrimp and Grits."
                                          I loved her explanation of the title--" I live close to the
                                                         Louisiana line, so it's almost Cajun".

                                              I'm thankful for Arkansas Farm Bureau's work
                                               to provide learning experiences for our youth

and

promotion of dairy!

                                     
                                                             

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

                                       There's no doubt, down on the dairy farm, we are
                                                               Undeniably Dairy!
                                     This new logo is supported with our Dairy Check-off
                                      dollars to help us promote dairy through out the year.
             

When the farmer said he would like to have one of these projectors 

that displayed the Undeniably Dairy logo, I sprang into action, almost like

Dancer and Prancer, to order it as a Christmas gift.

It only made sense to give the gift early so it could be enjoyed.

Getting a good picture has been a little difficult but

projected on the old hay barn on Anglin Road,

it's an Undeniably Dairy awesome sight!

It's not just a logo for us, it's the life we live and love 

everyday to make sure you have cream for your coffee, 

milk on your cereal, cheese on your pizza or 

yogurt in your morning smoothie.

I'm thankful to be a dairy farmer!

                                             

Dairy Dream

Then

(November 24,1984)

and now

we're still livin' the dairy dream today

and 

celebrating thirty four years of life together down on the dairy farm.

                 
                                          I now know that the pair of pliers and pocket knife
                                            Ryan gave me on our wedding day was no joke!
                               

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

I've been to Baker Elementary for many different volunteer programs but

this time I was a speaker for Career Day.

Actually, I found out, I was the first farmer that had ever come to 

their Career Day event. Needless to say, I felt pretty special.

It's not every student that is invited back to where their school career began!

I'm thankful for modern technology that allowed me to 

carry our farm from classroom to classroom on a power point

showing  what we do everyday

 to care for our animals and the land we call home

and produce the milk they enjoy everyday at school or home.

                                       Many thanks to our dedicated teachers and counselors
                                      providing experiences like Career Day for every student.
                                       

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Farmers from across the United States gathered in Grand Rapids, Michigan

this week to attend the National Commodity Conference hosted by Michigan Farm Bureau.

It's an opportunity for different commodity groups to share information, 

discuss issues that impact their farming operations,

 and develop potential policy ideas to present during the grassroots

 policy development process of Farm Bureau.

American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall gave us an overview 

of issues we are facing in agriculture. Things are tough in agriculture but 

President Duvall has the ability to tell the truth and

 season it with hope for our future.

I  met with the dairy commodity group for information and discussion

about trade,immigration, and milk price.

You don't find all the answers at any meeting, 

but

 we can gain strength and insight from talking

 with others on shared problems and concerns.

I'm thankful for the opportunity to work with others on behalf of dairy farmers,

to experience  the beauty of other places,

to learn about agriculture in other states,

and

                                             to be home  down on the Arkansas  dairy farm.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

                                       As a dairy farmer, I was honored to attend the recent
                                annual conference for registered dietitians in Arkansas held at
                                           Arkansas Children's Nutrition Campus  in Little Rock.
                   
                             Learning about the latest research in nutrition and how that
                               research  is used in helping patients or clients is fascinating
                                                  to me as a nurse and dairy farmer.

                              Dr. Jim Painter, a conference speaker sponsored by Midwest Dairy,
                    presented a talk  called "Finding Truth in Failed Theories of Heart Disease".

                          The gist of his talk was that by digging for the truth and looking at
                        current research on the good fat in dairy, consumption of  whole
                            fat dairy is most  likely on the forefront of being preventive 
                                                         for cardiovascular problems.
                                           I must say that was music to my dairy farmer ears!
                                                           

                                          I also  appreciated Dr. Painter  sharing his expertise
                           in wine tasting and cheese pairing during the Networking Reception.
                                 

During the conference, I met many of the dietitians and shared 

how we work everyday on the farm to produce nutritious milk. 

It's always fun to talk about how we use a dairy nutritionist  

and share our appreciation for what nutritionists and dietitians

  do for all of us.

                             
                                 I'm thankful for the work of Midwest Dairy to foster the unique
                                  relationship between dairy farmers and dietitians and for the
                              research that supports  dairy as an important part of a healthy diet.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Benton County Farm Bureau Women's Committee sponsors a 

Dairy Foods Contest for 4-H members  every year  as an effort to 

promote dairy products and provide a learning experience for our youth.

Each contestant chooses to make a recipe in either the Main Dish or Party Idea category.

As a dairy farmer, I love this promotion of the product we work to produce.

It's always inspiring to see how the contestants use their creative talents 

to select a recipe that  will use as many dairy ingredients as possible,  

 present their creation in a beautiful table setting and describe how 

they enjoy  serving their particular recipe at home or with friends.

The winning recipe of each category will be submitted

 to the Arkansas Farm Bureau Dairy Foods Contest.

I'm thankful for the judges who take on the task of choosing the best recipe,

the 4-H members who choose to learn about dairy foods,

and 

for other dairy farmers  and members of our committee 

who support  youth activities and dairy foods!

                                                        It was an Undeniably Dairy event!

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.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

We kicked off our Benton County Farm Bureau membership drive this week  with the 

signing of a proclamation by Benton County Judge Barry Moerhing to declare

 February 5-9 Farm Bureau Week.

I'm thankful to serve in an organization  that 

promotes and educates about agriculture 

and 

works for all citizens through legislative activities that impact

 our everyday lives in the city, the county 

or

                                                                down on the dairy farm.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

                                                 
                                        Feeding calves is one of my everyday jobs on the farm.
                                 Even though I've fed more than a few bottles, I still think it's fun!

                                  Each calf receives a two quart bottle of milk twice a day for the
                                  first three days to make sure they receive all of their mother's
                                    colostrum. At three days we teach them to drink from a bucket
                                       and  continue to feed milk and add grain to their daily diet.

                                          We monitor and observe each calf closely for any
                                         problems and make sure they receive good nutrition.
 
                 

                                        I'm thankful for my job of caring for these new babies
                                              that are the future of our family dairy farm.

                             It's a fact: Calves grow up to become the cows that produce milk,
                                so farmers make it a priority to get them off to a healthy start.

Dual Purpose Dates

                     Although spring has barely started, our warmer than usual winter weather
                                   has given  the wheat crop a little bit of a jump start in growing.
                                   This spring wheat crop is an important ingredient for our
                                                   dairy cows' balanced and nutritious diet.

                                     Our plan is to chop the wheat and put it in the silo.
                             The Friday night date  was actually a crop fact finding mission.
                              We were looking for the appearance of  what's called the "flag leaf'".
                                 It's appearance would indicate the right time to begin harvest.
                           
                              Knowing the right time to chop is important for making sure
                           we get the best quality forage for our dairy cows nutritional needs.
                                     There's always a method to the dairy farmer's madness!
                                 

I still love these dual purpose  dairy dates down on the dairy farm.

                                    Producing quality forage is part of our dairy farm family's
                                             commitment to providing high-quality milk
                                                      and taking good care of our cows.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Valentines down on the dairy farm come in all shapes,sizes and species.

I'm very thankful for all the Valentines in my life--

the baby calf born this week,

my husband who provided cards and flowers,

my Mother who baked cookies and took the family to dinner,

my family and friends that spent time with me this week,

and 

 Hattie Claire

 

                                                                my sweetest Valentine !