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.

 

 

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

For more than 50 years, corn and other types of grain or grasses have been

harvested and stored in the pit silo.  We have two of these

pit silos  located on the corner of the dairy farm where trucks can back up and unload.

Granddad Grover dug out the first silo on the corner and with the addition of 

more dairy cows, Ryan built the second silo. 

Everyday of the year, our tractor and feed wagon drive to the silo to load silage

that is mixed with other ingredients to provide a nutritious diet

for our dairy herd.

This past week a new chapter for our farm was begun with the 

design of a new concrete slab that will take the place of our pit silos.

Closing of the pit silos is necessary for the proper design of the road  that 

will accommodate the increased traffic of the development just across from

the dairy.  

Even though change is never easy, I am thankful that this change will actually

provide a safer place for us to load silage into the feed wagon and decrease the

chance of a traffic fatality as we strive to work on the farm in an urban environment.

Best of all, our cows will never miss a delicious bite that produces 

the high-quality milk for you and your family!

 

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

Have you ever thought about the variety in a cow's diet?

Today we started chopping a field of hay grazer grass that was 

planted late this spring.

We're adding it to the milking cow's daily feed ration that has been 

formulated by our dairy nutritionist.

I call this green chop " cow candy" because it's obvious by the 

increased milk production it is benefiting both cow and farmer. 

There is much beauty in every farm activity.

As I look across the field at the farmers working together

to harvest the crop,

I'm thankful for my family of farmers 

and the crop to feed our cows.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

As fall progresses, the time clock is ticking to get the crops harvested.

We planted sorghum in the late spring hoping it would make 

a crop in case drought might not allow the survival of our corn silage crop. 

So, you might call it our farmer "just in case" insurance policy.

I'm thankful for this crop that will be added to our dairy cow's feed ration 

for producing high-quality milk

                                                                         
                                                                                  and
                                           for the third and fourth generation dairy farmers
                                                  working together till the end of daylight

                                                     
                                                to harvest the crop down on the dairy farm.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Even though it was almost dusk when the custom silage chopper

 pulled into the first corn field this week, it was decided to open the

 field and get the process started. 

As I waited for the chopping to begin, it suddenly seemed like fall.

As darkness covered the field, the air became chilly. 

I was wishing for jeans and a long sleeved shirt instead of my shorts.

Even a big pot of chili sounded good.

Can it really be fall in August?

We didn't haul too many loads to the silo  that first evening but 

 I am so thankful for the corn crop that will be used to 

feed our dairy cows through this fall and winter.

Ready or not---I think fall is sneaking up on us!

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.

Dairy Q & A

                                                                 Question:

                              Why do we drink cow's milk?

                                               Answer:

                  Because we can. Milk has been an important
             source of human nutrition for thousands of years.                                 According to Dr. Greg Miller, " milk drinking is
                    not just a practice of Western culture, but a
              shared part of human existence around the world,"

               It not only tastes great but provides nine  essential
           nutrients including calcium, vitamin D and potassium.

             Milk provides dairy foods that are nutrient rich,
                  affordable, readily available and versatile. 

Dairy Nutrition Proud

Last week Ryan and I attended  a national nutrition conference

  in Little Rock sponsored by the National Dairy Council

 and the Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center, one of  six national human

 nutrition centers in the United States.

The Arkansas Children's Nutrition  Center is a partnership between

 the Arkansas Children's Hospital, USDA-Agricultural

 Research Service and the University of Arkansas Medical Center with a mission to 

conduct cutting-edge research to understand how maternal-child nutrition

 and physical activity optimize health and development.

Ryan and I  were invited   to give our dairy farmer perspective

 on our role in dairy nutrition and health and wellness  from down on the dairy farm.

It's an honor and  always fun to be invited to share our passion for dairy!

Best of all, we listened to these two Arkansas  students describe

 the impact of the  dairy farmer funded  Fuel Up to Play 60 program.

You couldn't help but be dairy proud!

Not only are dairy farmers improving the nutrition of students, 

we are providing lifelong skills in leadership and health and wellness.

And to top it off, we enjoyed beautiful and nutritious dairy products!

Everyday Dairy Farm Sustainability

The feed barn is one of my favorite places to be when

 the cows come to eat after being milked.

They really seemed to be enjoying every bite  this morning

 and weren't a bit interested in what I was doing!

At the request of our dairy nutritionist,I was actually on a mission 

to collect a sample of the feed they were enjoying. 

Sampling  the feed mix is done when we have added a

 new or different ingredient to make sure the total mixed ration is balanced.

Making sure the cows have a nutritious and balanced diet 

keeps them healthy and leads to high-quality milk.

Feed efficiency is extremely important to the sustainability of our farm.

Sustainability is not just a word, it's how our dairy farm family 

has lived for generations, working to improve and

 make life better for the next generation.  

Since 1944 when my mother-in-law was milking cows on our farm, 

dairy farmers across America are producing more milk

 using 90% less cropland, 

producing 76% less manure,

 using 65% less water, 

and producing 63% less carbon emissions.

All that has happened through innovation and efficiency improvements that

 have been provided through research,sound science and technology.

                                                     

Kick Off Fall With All-Star Breakfast

Last month at the Arkansas Women Bloggers Conference,  I received a gift box filled with a variety of rice products from  Riceland Foods. All that rice in my pantry has given me the perfect reason to enjoy and celebrate  National Rice Month and the fact that Arkansas is the number one producer of rice in the United States!

 You can find a wealth of information about rice production, how to use the different rice varieties and a great collection of rice recipes at Riceland.com.  

One of our favorite ways to eat rice is with milk and sugar either for breakfast or as a sweet treat.  Milk and rice make a great nutrition team. All-Star Breakfast Rice  is perfect for fall's  kick-off during National Rice Month!


All-Star Breakfast Rice

Ingredients:

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 Tablespoon brown sugar
2/3 cup milk
1 cup cooked rice
Fresh blueberries,raspberries or strawberries*

*Or use sliced peaches or bananas if desired

Directions:

Combine rice,milk,brown sugar and cinnamon in small saucepan. Cook over medium heat until thick and creamy, about 10 minutes. Spoon into serving bowl; let cool 3 minutes. Top with fresh fruit.

Serves: 1

                                    Thank-you  Arkansas Rice Farmers!

Dairy Q&A

Question:

What is one of the dairy farmer's most important jobs?

Answer:

Animal care is one of the most important aspects of a dairy farmer's job. We spend the majority of our time everyday feeding our dairy cows and calves and monitoring the amount that is consumed.

From my front porch, I often  enjoy watching the soon to be mama cows cleaning up the grain mixture in the feed wagons. 

Even though these pregnant cows receive a special designed diet  daily  and have access to hay at all times, they never turn away a good meal or a tasty treat! 

Dairy Q&A

                                                                     Question:

                     What do you feed your milking cows?

           

Answer:

Our dairy cows in the milking herd enjoy a mixture of grain,hay and silage everyday of the year. This feed mixture is known as a total mixed ration and  is designed by our dairy nutritionist. 

A measured amount of each ingredient is mixed in the wagon to ensure that each cow will have at least 100 pounds of the  feed mixture.

We raise hay and silage on our farm but we purchase corn and other grain by-products from other farmers.

Our commitment to providing high-quality milk begins with taking good care of our cows by providing a nutritious diet.

             

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Feeding our dairy cows a nutritious diet is an everyday activity. 

 I'm thankful for the the grain farmers that grow the corn we purchase for our cows to enjoy everyday of the year,

for equipment that makes it possible to load feed  easily,

and 

for the satisfaction of knowing the cows are enjoying the fruits of the farmers' labor.

Dairy Treats With Essential Nutrients

It's easy to get tricked into thinking that a lot of drinks we find in the dairy case at the grocery store  are as nutritious or economical as real dairy milk. For 25 cents per 8 ounces, milk treats you to nine essential nutrients. You're being tricked if you think the nutrition of alternative drinks offers you  and your family the same nutritional benefits.

According to Midwest Dairy, milk alternatives use fortification to mimic the nutrient profile of cow's milk.

Here's how some of the most common dairy alternatives stack up:

• Soy beverages--made from soybeans and are a good source of protein, but the soy protein is a lower quality protein than the whey protein found in dairy products.
• Rice-based beverages-- are generally processed from brown rice and are fortified with nutrients such as calcium and vitamin D. Rice beverages contain only one gram of protein compared to eight grams in cow's milk.
• Nut-based beverages-- can be ground from any nut, the most popular is almond. Almond beverages supply only one gram of protein per serving and lack many of the natural benefits found in almonds.

It's okay to get tricked on Halloween,

 but don't let it happen when you're making nutritional decisions!

Designer Dairy Diet

During today's monthly meeting with the  dairy nutritionist, we were sharing information about the new crop that is being chopped and test results from hay samples  that are being included in our cows'  daily diet.  Our dairy nutritionist could be described as a  cow diet designer!

With the help of our dairy nutritionist, we are constantly evaluating every ingredient that is included in their daily total mixed ration to insure that it contains the right proportion of nutrients for good nutrition and good health.

It's obvious when listening to the dairy nutritionist and the dairy farmer talk about the cows, our dairy cows are greatly respected, cared for and loved.

                                            I love watching our cows enjoy their designer diet!
                     Our dairy cows show their mutual appreciation for receiving a balanced,nutritious diet
                                                            by producing high-quality milk!

Dairy Q&A

Question:

 Why do you wrap hay ?

                                               
                                                                     Answer:
Our dairy cows eat hay everyday so it's important to have a year round supply.   Wrapping the bales in plastic is an alternate option for storing and processing forage (hay). It also decreases the time it takes from cutting to baling, decreases the  need for  increased mechanical handling and increases the potential for higher feed quality.  It's also made it possible for us to bale later in the season and utilize a variety of grasses commonly found in Northwest Arkansas.

Dairy Farmer's Labor of Love

As the days grow shorter and cooler, the fields of sweet sorghum  (also called sorgo)  are calling the dairy farmer to prepare for  harvesting  this sweet tasting silage crop for the dairy cows to enjoy this fall and through the winter months.  

Growing a crop is a labor of love for my  third generation dairy farmer husband. I love seeing the smile on his face as he looks across the sorghum field.

We drove to several of the fields this afternoon to see how the sorghum  is maturing and make a plan which field we will begin harvesting first.  Most of the sorghum is seven to eight feet tall and the tops are beginning to change from yellow to a reddish brown  color as it matures. 

He thought he was hiding from me, but I could still see his smile!  

Harvest of this labor of love begins next week!

                                                                         

Arkansas Dairy Ambassador

Congratulations to Ethan Parker of Gravette  for being named the 2014-15 Arkansas Dairy Ambassador!

I love the fact that Arkansas Farm Bureau supports youth programs that aim to not only promote agriculture but help our youth to develop skills and interest in agriculture careers.

 

Ethan will be participating in functions related to the dairy industry during this next year and promoting all the great features about dairy. After listening to his talk on "What's So Great About Dairy?", I know he will be convincing a lot of consumers about the benefits of dairy nutrition.

 

 

 

Although it's not a requirement to show dairy cattle to be a dairy ambassador, Ethan has been showing Jersey cattle since he was about 4 years old. It was natural for this  picture of his Arkansas Dairy Ambassador plaque  to include  one of his favorite Jersey girls!

Dairy Spring Green

          Spring brings a wide variety of green colors for us to enjoy. On the dairy farm, I would say                            that the color of a field of spring wheat is one of my favorite shades of green.
                                                       I call it Dairy Spring Green!

 

It's amazing to see a crop grow daily and we are thankful to know that our dairy  cows will have good feed that provides part of their balanced nutritious diet  to produce high-quality milk.

 

 

You can tell that harvest of the spring crop is not too far away

 when you see this other shade of green!

Earth Day Dairy Spin

Although it's Earth Day Everyday on the dairy farm, I was an invited guest to the  early  Earth Day celebration with Bentonville students at Old High Middle School. Students enjoyed a variety of activities related to protecting and caring for the earth that are important  to   everyday living.


Sharing information about dairy farming is important to me   because caring for the environment is a responsibility dairy farmers share with our local community. Good environmental practices are  essential to a dairy farm's success and for  future generations. You can find more dairy facts and information about sustainability and environmental protection practices   at Midwest Dairy.

                       My display included information about dairy nutrition and dairy farming.

 

It was my day to be the Vanna of Dairy--passing out string cheese for every spin of the Dairy Wheel of Knowledge!

 

 

                                      I had fun  giving my own dairy farmer spin on Earth Day!