Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

"It takes a village" was the phrase that came to mind as I observed

this mama-to-be assisting with welcoming the new calf. It's not unusual

to see this behavior  in a pasture full of expectant mothers and although it

appears to be helpful, it can be a distraction to the new mother causing her

not to do her job of cleaning off the calf.  

We don't always separate these cows but today due to the frigid,damp weather, we

moved the new baby and mama to the maternity barn for protection and to assure

that the mama could do her important job.

Observing the behavior of animals is always interesting and part of the 

dairy farmer's job in providing good care of their cows and calves.

I'm thankful for all the birthdays down on the dairy farm

and in our family!

Happy 1st birthday,Breck!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Have you ever grown your own carrot?

It was a first for  Hattie and me.

Mother planted a short row of carrots early in the summer.

We thought they had washed away in one of our unexpected

 rain showers soon after planting but to our pleasant surprise, 

five plants survived.

It was a proud carrot picking day for Hattie and my Mother!

I'm thankful  for these life lessons 

we are being allowed to share with Hattie

and

                                                             
                                                  the joy a grandchild brings to the family.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

The ordinary days down on the dairy farm become extraordinary when 

viewed through the eyes of an inquisitive nearly  2 year old.

The blandness of winter scenery becomes more vivid as Hattie Claire and I 

talk about all that we see looking from our perch on the windowsill. 

We're not talking in great detail about all the ways we manage cow manure to

 help improve air and water quality or how we care for our cows everyday but 

we share an appreciation of all the activities and the farmers working at every task.

This week ,when looking to the left, our conversation was about the big tractor

 working to spread cow manure for anticipated green spring grass. 

To the right we saw  the cows busy eating their daily grain .

Tractors and cows just couldn't compare with the excitement of 

seeing the bright red headed woodpecker in the tree by the window.

                                   I'm thankful  for the opportunity we have to share life down
                                    on the dairy farm with the next generation and to enjoy the
                                                      spark of color in the dead of winter.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

When I saw Casey riding on the back of the square baler, I couldn't resist

 calling him to ask if he was just joy riding around the field.  I was lucky 

he didn't hang up on me but he nicely explained that he was making 

sure the bales kicked out so Cody wouldn't have to stop baling and 

correct the problem that had been discovered earlier.

It was the first time the small square baler has been used this year and 

we were fortunate that the mechanical problem was an easy fix.

We appreciate problems easily repaired!

I'm thankful for the way our sons can work together,  

for the cow that calved easily and waited for us at the gate,

and 

                                                  for the sweetest Halloween visitor that
                                          brings new meaning to "there's no place like home"!
                                       

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Although our days on the dairy farm are busy and filled with

 a variety of challenges, 

I'm thankful for the smiles that come with these two tractor drivers

 and the opportunity we have to watch the fifth generation

 embrace life on the farm.

                                         
                                                 

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words...

                                           
                                   I'm thankful for the joy I see in my oldest son  as he anticipates
                                      the arrival of his first child and the excitement of welcoming
                                                           the fifth generation to the farm.