Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

January must know her days are limited as she brought us 

chilling temperatures and a skiff of snow just at calf feeding

time this morning.  

A new baby and her mother were just what I needed to

warm my heart on this cold January morning.

After all the calves were fed their morning milk and grain,

we picked up the baby , transported her to a warm calf

hutch and walked her mother to the milk barn.

It's my job from this point to monitor and care for the 

baby. High-quality milk begins with a healthy cow and

it begins on this very first day.

Who else gets to feel such joy and can describe having

fun at work more days than not!

I'm thankful!

 

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'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

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.

Dairyfarmer's Thankful Thursday

There's nothing sweeter than watching a mama cow

welcome her new baby with a tongue licking bath.

This licking cleans and strategically moves  and helps expel 

any fluids that might be present in the calf's lungs. 

It's obvious that our Creator thinks of everything!

Within just three months,

this new baby will have out grown the individual hutch we

raise them in and need to be moved to a small pasture.

This process is what we call weaning.

Calves are usually 10 to 12 weeks old when weaned from the hutches.

Before moving the calves they are on water and pelleted feed

that is formulated for their growth and development. 

This preparation decreases the stress on the day

 we actually move them and for the adjustment to their

new surroundings.

I'm thankful for each of these healthy calves that will

one day be producing high quality milk and

for the opportunity I have to work with my two sons

everyday down on the dairy farm.

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

From the minute we bring a newborn  calf into 

their own private hutch, it becomes our priority

to monitor the calf for any health issue and to 

make sure it is drinking milk  twice a day and

adding grain at the appropriate time.

Care in the hutches continues for approximately three months.

The hutch protects from weather and the pens surrounding

 them provide ample space for the calf to freely move about 

while protecting them from other members of the herd.

When the calves are transitioned out of the hutch into a small 

pasture, the training begins for living as a group,

 eating together from a grain trough and drinking at

the water tank.

My job last week was to stand in the gate and direct

 them to follow Ryan to the feed manger at feeding time.

It doesn't take very long for the calves to know

it's time for dinner!

  

I'm thankful for the opportunity we have

each day to care for our calves that will  assure a future 

of producing high-quality milk

                                                                                  and

                                                         for the little surprises down on
                                                                       the dairy farm!

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

We strive to wean a small group of calves from their

individual hutches to a group in a small pasture within

a 10 to 12 week time frame.  

This last  weaned group are a little bit older due

to trying to avoid rainy weather in a winter  season that seemed

like it rained every day! 

Newly weaned calves are still fed grain twice a day

and checked closely for any signs of illness.

 I  am thankful that this group of my babies are adapting

and thriving in their new pasture environment and

for the pride we feel in growing healthy calves that 

will eventually produce high-quality milk.

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.

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

Monday was 'test' day down on the dairy farm .

It wasn't a pass or fail test like you might have in school but rather 

a fact gathering test to give us information about the production of

each cow being milked on the farm.

Greg, our Mid-South Dairy Records technician, arrived 

before milking time to set up his meters and prepare to 

take a sample of milk from each cow.

All of the information gathered about each cow's milk is transferred into

a computer program that is part of our herd's record keeping system.

I'm thankful for the dedicated service Greg provides 

for our farm to assure we produce high-quality milk,

and for the years of friendship that make us more like family. 

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

I'm thankful that even though the view across the pasture of

 our 4th generation  dairy  farm has changed dramatically this past year,

                           
                                our family farm values of providing high-quality milk by
                                             caring for our animals and the land has not.
                                           
                                   
                                                           
                                                 

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!
                                           

Happy Agriculture Day

                                                      Happy National Agriculture Day
                                                                            from
                                                      down on the Arkansas dairy farm!

                     Today is an  opportunity as farmers to share how we are working everyday
                              to produce safe affordable food for consumers and celebrate
                                                all that agriculture provides to each of us.

                                            Thanks to proven science and technology,
                                we are producing a gallon of milk using 95 percent less land and
                                     65 percent less water while  producing 76 percent less
                                                         manure compared with 1944.

                                             Do you know what hasn't changed since 1944?

                                                 
                                 Farmers still care  for our animals and the land we call home
                                                  and are committed to providing you
                                             with safe,high-quality milk and dairy products.

                                                   Happy National Ag Day!

Dairy May Day

What's not to love about the month of May?

That was my thought as I stepped out the back door 

this morning  on my way to feed calves. 

Although the  air was chilly and crisp, it was evident that the

 dairy cows were loving the weather and the green pasture as

 they slowly moved towards the barn to be milked. 

.

Framed by the blooming iris, it was a perfect picture 

of a May day down on the dairy farm.

For 95 years, a member of our family has been 

 opening the  same back door into the month of May. 

We take pride in caring for our dairy  animals, growing crops

 to feed our animals and most important, 

producing healthy high-quality milk for you and your family.

Happy May!

Monday's Moo

Even though we witness new life often on our family dairy farm, it is never routine.

Each birth is a celebration.

                                         
                            Life down on the dairy farm isn't always easy but we pride ourselves
                                       in caring for our animals,contributing to the local economy,
                                                                    and most important,
                                     producing healthy high-quality  milk, for you and your family.

Happy Father's Day!

Pictures often tell the story far better than any words.

I love these snapshots of cherished moments of how a father's love shaped the life of the dairy farmer I love.

It's where the commitment for caring for the animals and providing high-quality milk began and now  continues with the next generation of dairy farmers.

 

                                                                   Happy Father's Day 

                                                             from down on the dairy farm!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

It wouldn't seem like spring if we didn't have visitors on the dairy farm!

I'm looking forward to the conversations next week with the Moms on the Farm tour group.

I'm thankful for the opportunity to share how we work everyday to make sure we produce safe,high-quality milk for consumers of all ages while caring for our animals and the land we call home.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Watching the sun rise just as we finish feeding  baby calves on our dairy farm  is a great start to any day but welcoming new life to the farm makes it spectacular!

I'm thankful for these moments of pure delight as I work with my family everyday to provide high-quality, nutritious  milk by caring for our cows, calves, and the land we call home.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Feeding our dairy cows a nutritious diet is an everyday activity--regardless of the weather conditions. 

Even though these cows had already eaten in the feed barn after being milked, the snow seemed to create an exciting experience as the feed wagons were pulled into the field  as usual.

On their way to the feed wagons, the cows were running and kicking up their hooves just like kids on a sled at the top of a snowy hill.

I'm thankful for the fun these cows seemed to be having on their snow day down  on the dairy farm!