Barns and Babies

The days of spring down on the farm are 

always busy with cattle working to improve the health of our beef cattle

and fertilizing the fields that will bring on the growth of hay but

this year we added barn building onto the schedule.

This barn will be used to store hay.  When complete it will 

also have areas on the side that cattle can rest under for shade or 

for protection from inclement winter weather.

Truly a picture of modern day barn raising with all family members

involved as the crane was lifting the trusses in place.

We still manage to enjoy the beauty of spring 

as we check cattle and watch the new babies

stay  close to their mama or run around like crazy,

                                          to celebrate the spring birthdays with the family,

                        

                                                and appreciate the beauty in the garden.
 

                           

                                          I hope you are enjoying and celebrating spring

                                    as much as we are down on the Arkansas farm!

Spring's Celebrations

Spring has sprung down on the farm!

Just the day before the calendar claims that spring has begun

we were blessed to celebrate my Mother's 92nd birthday.

As you can see, it's a family tradition to help in the 

candle blowing ceremony!

Even the beef cows are celebrating the warmer days

of spring  and didn't seem to mind posing for 

a picture while hanging around the hay manger.

Spring finds us celebrating the birth of new calves.

Although most beef cows have plenty of milk for their 

babies, we do have an occasional calf that may need a 

little help when Momma doesn't have any milk or the baby 

is not trying to nurse for whatever reason.

That's when the farmer instinct takes over  and he  feeds the baby.

Celebrating spring with a farmer always brings

a smile on my face as you see the passion 

he feels for his farm and family!

Happy Spring!

 

Winter's Last Hurrah

With the end of February and the turning of the calendar, we all have that 

hope and realization that spring is just around the corner.

However, March seldom gives up those last winter weather days.

As I faced the north wind and blowing snow this morning, I

was pretty sure that Winter was shouting its last hurrah and 

probably having a good laugh!

Fluctuating temperatures like we have experienced this month

are very stressful for the calves and often bring illness

such as pneumonia and scours. 

Providing  blankets to keep them warm, providing

warm milk twice daily, bedding the hutches with straw 

 or shavings and monitoring each calf  closely is 

 our everyday farmer job.

These jonquil blooms earlier this week

were just a little bit early for real spring

                               

                                  but they did confirm the hope and promise of  spring is real!

                                                                      

Thankful Thursday

Just before this week's winter sleet and thunder storm,

we welcomed a new Holstein heifer calf.

Her mother was standing back just watching her new baby

while the other cow was trying so hard to

be a substitute mother.  If we could only explain to her

that she will have her very own calf in just a short time!

I'm so thankful that this new baby was born

on a warmer, balmier weather day,

 we had no bone breaking falls on  the ice

and can still  marvel at winter's beauty.

However,

Come on Spring--we're ready!!

 

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

Spring is in the air everywhere down on the dairy farm!

Our ordinary day became extraordinary  with a visit from

the grandchildren and their cousin William that arrived from 

Texas for a spring break adventure.

What better place to come than the dairy farm!

It was obvious by the smiles that a tractor ride ranks 

pretty high on the fun to do list.

A tractor ride can also be a serious experience. At two,

Breck kept a close eye on the calves as they were feeding 

grain. 

We celebrate new life often but  spring also 

gave us the opportunity to celebrate my Mother's 

ninetieth birthday!

Always supporting the use of dairy foods,

the cake contained a lot of butter and cream cheese!

I'm thankful for all these experiences in the past

few days that have put a little more spring in my step

and a greater appreciation for the blessings

of everyday life down on the dairy farm.

                                                         

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

More than 10 years ago , my Mother-in-Love Bonnah Lyn  presented me

with this blooming crab apple tree. Even though it's a bit crooked 

from a couple of bad storms causing a twist and loss of a  few branches,

you can't help but enjoy its beauty during the period of blooming 

and the sweet memories of my tree loving mother-in-law. 

There's a lot of assurance and hope in the unfolding of spring

 and  the routine  of daily life down on the dairy farm.

The impact of COVID-19 has removed alot of our normal in everyday

life but it can not remove our joy and hope!

I'm thankful that we are able to continue milking the cows, 

feeding the cows and calves  and producing high-quality milk

that feeds families in our community.

"Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually

grant you peace in every circumstance."

                   --II Thessalonians 3:16

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

Spring has arrived!

The grass  greening up, the pollen count

 climbing with all the trees and flowers beginning to bloom and

the addition of new babies to the dairy farm brings an assurance

that there is still a "normal" to our daily life.

I'm thankful for these warmer, sunny days that we have

enjoyed this week and for the fact that

we are #StillFarming during this pandemic virus 

situation that we are all facing together.

                                         
                                             I'm sharing a video that I made this week of my
                                   favorite dairy farmer to assure you that we are still working
                                        to produce high-quality milk for you and your family.
                                         

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

It's beginning to look a lot more like spring with sprigs of green grass and weeds,

 new calves and daylight savings time!

Just the mention of daylight savings time brings smiles

to the farmers because it allows them to work so much later

as we begin spring and swing into summer.

After all these years on the farm, I still need at least a 

week to adjust to the dark mornings and the attitude adjustment

that comes with giving up that hour of sleep!

I've had a few friends ask how the cows adjust to daylight savings time.

Honestly, the cows are champions of adaptation!

 Over the years,

we have tried different ways to adapt to the time change and none

have seemed to really make a difference in how the cows adjust in their daily

activities of eating and producing milk.

If you get down to the real rub, it's probably a bigger

 adjustment for the humans on the farm!

Calves don't even consider daylight savings time when

it's time to be born!

I'm thankful for the joy I see from the farmers with the time change 

that begins  the new season of spring activities down on the dairy farm.

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

Don't you just love the month of May?

Spring showers bring the beautiful flowers, budding trees,

green grass and the all too prevalent allergies.

Although my Mother  transplanted the iris from the garden 

last spring to the bottom of the mailbox, we were not

really sure what color iris would bloom.

To our surprise, the blooms are in the shades of purple.

I'm thankful for the daily reminders of how God is in control.

Today's scripture on my kitchen calendar emphasized my thoughts:

"Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you,

even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like on of these. 

If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow

is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, 

O you of little faith?"

                   --Luke 12:27-28

                                                 From down on the dairy farm, Happy May!

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

Even though you don't see any black spots on this new calf, it is a Holstein.

There's nothing prettier than a pure  white calf  on bright spring green grass.

Each calf is unique and has characteristics of its parents.

In fact, every calf's spots or markings are unique to them.

What I love about all of the dairy cows, no matter what kind or color,

they provide us with delicious, nutritious  milk.

I'm thankful for the new spring calf crop

and the milk that is produced for all of us to enjoy.

What kind of world would it be without 

butter and cream cheese to use when baking Easter

 goodies like Coconut Cake with Pineapple Filling?

                               
                                                     

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

We experience new life on the dairy  farm year round, 

but there's nothing like seeing new calves born in the spring

on a carpet of new green grass and the beauty around us. 

Our expectant mothers have been watched closely 

   to insure a healthy delivery.

 It's always exciting to meet our new baby!

Our days are filled with routine chores and common every

day challenges but I'm thankful for the blessings of new life,

for the smiles and laughter of children

and

                                                           the Hope of the Easter season.

                                                             From down on the dairy farm,
                                                               Happy Easter!

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

Tractors are used every day down on the dairy farm for a variety of jobs.

Although we have more than one tractor, the little Ford tractor 

serves to bring the dairy  cows to the milking barn twice each day.

No doubt it's  a priority to repair the wheel. 

Unfortunately, we don't plan on these common events

but it does teach us about being flexible and making the most 

of every day--good or bad.

I'll admit, I'm still a student on handling being flexible.

When we are most discouraged or hit with an unexpected event,

I'm thankful for the signs  and  gifts God

freely provides to us on a daily,moment by moment schedule.

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

It was the perfect spring morning to walk across the pasture to 

find this baby snuggled down in the loose hay around the manger.

As usual, Mama stayed between me and the calf just in case 

I should act wild and crazy or the farm  dogs following me got too close!

                                                         
                                           I am thankful for new life down on the dairy farm
                                                                              and
                                                           

                                                                 for the gifts of spring!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

There's no other month quite like May down on the dairy farm.

All of a sudden, everything  needs to be done at once.

Everything includes not only milking twice a day and caring for 

our cows,heifers and calves but also hay cutting,wheat harvesting

 and corn planting.

Our feeling of being out of control happens every year but

                                        as crazy as it sounds, I still love the month of May.

I'm thankful for the new calves that are being born almost on a daily schedule,

for the smell of the first cutting of hay,

             

and 

for the appearance of the old fashioned flowers that 

brighten the landscape as we work down on the dairy farm.

                                                                                       

Happy May!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Just when we thought winter was over,

it snowed.

I'm thankful that it was just a little April snow

that  melted in a few short hours,

that all of the new calves born during this crazy  weather week 

 have been born without complications,

and 

real spring is finally emerging just in time for

the two year old to teach us a few new ways

                                                       to enjoy life down on the dairy farm.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

It's been a week of celebrations for us down on the dairy farm.

Monday we celebrated  my sweet Mother's 87th birthday.

Tuesday we celebrated National Ag Day 

 with the birth of several calves

 and the arrival of spring in Northwest Arkansas.

                               
                                 I'm thankful for the special days of celebration that allow us to
                                    pause from our daily routine and realize the blessings that we
                                                           often take for granted.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

We felt just a tease of spring this past week with temperatures 

above 60 degrees for a couple of days and the birth of a calf.

Even though we see calves born throughout the year,

it was the perfect reminder of many good things to come!

Spring brings the birth of many calves from the heifers we have raised 

from birth. These first calf heifers have been cared for

 everyday of their lives for at least two years before giving birth.

Our heifer birthing watch started this week with the arrival

 of 10 heifers  to the pasture by the house.

All of our heifer calves grow up to become the cows that 

produce  high-quality milk,

so we make it a priority to get them off to a healthy start.

I'm thankful for the many signs of  hope that are provided when

we so desperately need them down on the dairy farm.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

                                              I'm thankful for....
                                 

the pair of Egyptian geese that have come

 back to enjoy the farm habitat,

                                         

the new calves born this week,

the variety of  beautiful  colorful iris blooming,

and

                                               
                                                           for the entertaining conversations
                                                                   with Hattie and Frog.

                                                         Life is good down on the dairy farm!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

New life is always welcome down on the dairy farm.

                                                     
                                        I'm so thankful for the beauty and blessings of spring!