Farmer's Perspective

 

Farmers talk about the weather a lot.

That's an understatement.

It's a topic of conversation everyday.

As we watched the ponds get lower and lower in late

March and early April, we were concerned 

about drought and the impact that has on our farm.

While the local weather men and women talked about

the sunny, pleasant weekends, we were hoping for rain.

We definitely have a different perspective when

 it comes to the weather.

Just when we were feeling depressed about no rain,

it started to rain!  

The pastures went from short blades of grass to

thick green pastures  with buttercup weed.

Although you don't want to see weeds in the pastures,

I am thankful for the grass that the rain has provided 

and ponds that are in better shape as we get closer to

summer time temperatures and dry weather.

While weather is a prominent topic of discussion,

there are always fun topics to share with our family,

like the eclipse experience of a 5 year old,

                                              who can blow out birthday candles the fastest,

                                                                                     and

                                          the beauty provided by the long awaited spring rains.

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

Our "rain, rain go away" chant  just didn't work!

For at least three weeks we have been hoping to see the

custom chopper pull into the fields for the spring harvest 

of our wheat crop but when the fields were too water logged

 for chopping it was decided that we would be cutting,

 baling and wrapping this wheat crop.

Harvest began today with the cutting of the first wheat field.

Hattie and Breck became part of the harvest crew. 

Their smiles during the tractor ride definitely provided the sunshine today!

I'm thankful for the wheat crop that is still able to be harvested

and used  to feed our cows and calves

and

                                       for the forever flexible farmers that never give up!

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

If you are old enough, you know that old saying "April showers 

bring May flowers."

Down on the dairy farm, two
new calves appeared

after receiving more than eight inches of rain in less

than twenty four hours.

Those calves were a welcome bouquet!

That much rain all at once creates flooding issues 

on and off the farm. I am thankful that  we were

able to repair the driveways and fence rows and

that no people or cattle had any injuries during or

after the rain event.

                                                  As I look back on the days of April 2021,

                                  we were also showered with a lot of happy smiles

                                     and days of creating   memories with our family

                                                      down on the dairy farm.

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! 

August Hay Day

It looked like Saturday morning was the day,

an August Hay Day.

I could see the determination on  my son's face as he prepared 

the machinery and moved to the field.

No matter what, hay cutting was happening.

If you drove across Northwest Arkansas on this August Hay Day,

it was obvious that many farmers were feeling that same determination

 with hay fields mowed or in the process of being mowed.

We've been waiting for nearly two weeks for the prediction of 

scattered rain showers to move out so hay harvest could begin.

Drought conditions during April and the usual hay cutting 

months of May and June, have created a hay shortage for

 farmers across Northwest Arkansas.

It's the unexpected rain in August that has made our

makin' hay when the sun shines  possible.

It's even possible that August rains will produce enough hay to 

replenish what was lost in our  first cutting.

That calls for a celebration down on the dairy farm

--an August Hay Day!

                               
                                                   

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Can you believe it's August?

That was my very thought as I walked down the driveway and noticed 

these soon to be mama cows resting in the thick green grass.

In June when the pastures looked like we were in August,

I would never have believed that we would have any 

grass going into late summer.

I'm so thankful for the rains we have enjoyed these last two weeks,

for green pastures and growing crops that will feed our 

dairy cows this fall and winter, 

and

 the  cooler temperatures that are enjoyed by cows and farmers.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

It was  a date with the farmer...

the Sunday afternoon crop check.

Our date time was spent driving 

to different fields that are growing the crops 

our dairy cows will be enjoying this fall and winter.

With so little rain in the days after planting the crops,

we were happy to see this field of healthy hay-grazer 

that will be baled and wrapped in a few short weeks.

As Ryan walked through the middle of the field checking 

for bugs that might be grazing on the crop,

 my thoughts turned to the unique life we lead.

It's not  everyone  that  goes on a bug finding date!

                                             
                                             I'm thankful for the rain that we have received
                                                in the last two weeks to save our crops and
                                         for the farmer with unwavering faith and optimism.
                                             

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Before I married a farmer,

a rain gauge was just  one of those free items you received from 

the local bank or insurance company. 

My how time and experience change 

what we think and what we value.

We no longer seem to be offered the free rain gauge

but the rain gauge has become an important and valued tool in my 

farm wife toolbox.

Emptying the rain gauge during a drought 

has become my favorite job!

It's one of those happy heart moments 

down on the dairy farm.

I'm thankful for the two inch rain we received this past week,

for the fact that the rain allowed  time in the shop for machinery repair,

for the slightly cooler temperatures for our cows to enjoy

 even though it was a brief cool-down,

                                                   
                                                                              and
                                             for refreshing our thirsty land and farmer souls.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for the August rain that has made  this second cutting 

of hay grazer forage possible,

brought a smile to the farmer's face when  finding filled out corn ears

 that will soon be turned into feed for our dairy cows,

and

                                                   
                                 provided the opportunity to hear one of Hattie's new words,
                                                                          " rainin' "!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Do you notice anything unusual in this picture?

A mud puddle in August!

As you can see, the cows are crowding together because like

 a bunch of naughty kids,they are looking to lay down in that mud.

                             
                                     I'm thankful for the unusual amount of rainfall we have
                                      received in August that is restoring pastures dried  by
                               summer heat, watering our crops that will be harvested this fall
                                and providing a little fun relief for our much loved dairy cows.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Even though our July 4th picnic plans were 

changed due to unusual  weather,

I'm thankful for the rain we have received in the last few days

that will help our crops grow  

and for the special July 4th babies born

down on the Arkansas  dairy farm!

It's dairy style fireworks!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

When you look at our tall corn crop and the green pastures,

 it's hard to believe August is just around the corner. 

I'm thankful for the blessing of rain we have received in July 

for our crop  fields and pastures

and

for our crop of sunflowers.

down on the dairy farm.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

As the weathermen or weather-women were consoling us  about a rainy

 4th of July holiday weekend, the dairy farmers were smiling. 

It's not that we wanted to ruin any one's plans but a rain any 

day in July is a gift down on the dairy farm! 

I'm thankful for the 3 inch rain that watered the garden

and

 the corn crop that our dairy cows will enjoy this winter.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

                                                           After a few rainy gloomy days.
                                            rays of sunshine were a welcome addition in the
                                                     late afternoon down on the dairy farm.

                                   I'm thankful for the  rainy days that watered our spring crops,
                     refreshed the pastures and encouraged the iris in the flowerbeds to bloom!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

We didn't have any snow for Christmas but we had plenty of rain.

It was a record measurement for rain across Benton County that  

 flooded  property and damaged roads.

The final rainfall  count down on the dairy  farm was 11 inches within three days.

I'm thankful that we did not lose any of our cows and calves

during this stressful weather event

and 

                                                 that Santa had perfect timing for delivering
                                                   my new rain suit and waterproof boots!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

A new baby was born at noon today just as the rain stopped and the temperatures dropped. 

It seemed like the other cows in the pasture were celebrating,too!

I'm thankful for these miracles that we witness on the dairy farm,

the weather change that reminds us a change of season is on the way,

and the beauty that surrounds us for our everyday enjoyment!

                                                                      Happy Thursday!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

With excessive amounts of rain in May and June, I wasn't sure we would plant garden but we finally managed to plant the garden in a  narrow window of dry days. 

Mother was determined that we would have corn--so, we have corn!

It's a partnership garden--I run the tiller and she pulls the weeds.

I'm thankful for the inch of rain we received early this morning 

 on the garden and our crop fields!

                                                               Rain makes happy farmers!

Labor Day Dairy Diversion

Labor Day is always a day of labor on the dairy farm. Our dairy cows would not understand if we didn't show up at the milk barn at milking time or make sure their feed was mixed and served   in the barn on time!

Our Labor Day  holiday did begin with

a gentle rain this morning that  brought cooler temperatures and created the opportunity for a diversion of our planned silage chopping activity to vaccinating a couple of our herd bulls. 

That's how holidays on the  family dairy farm are created...

                                                                           
                                       they happen when least expected and  are  always unplanned!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Rain everyday for more than a week with temperatures that require long sleeved shirts during June Dairy Month is almost unheard of in Northwest Arkansas. Although we're  behind on the hay cutting schedule, I'm thankful for the abundant grass in the pastures, the comfortable temperatures for our dairy cows to enjoy

 

 

and

 

                                                 the beautiful flowers I find in the garden.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Rain and chilly weather lingered most of today in Northwest Arkansas.

Wearing coats and gloves this afternoon while feeding calves was  a  sure sign of "blackberry winter"  on the dairy farm.

 

I'm thankful for the late afternoon sunshine  and the  spring rain that we so desperately needed

 

 

to refresh  our grass for the  cows to enjoy

and 

 

lift our spirits with new surprises of   color in the garden.