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!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Spring harvest of our wheat crop down on the dairy farm  started this week.

It's a process dependent on timing and weather from start to finish.

You want to cut when there's no chance for rain so it can 

have a little drying time after cutting and it stays dry until it is 

chopped,

hauled from the field to the silo,

and packed  into the pit silo.

                                       I'm thankful for the great weather we've had this week
                                       and for the good wheat crop that our  dairy cows will enjoy
                                                                   through the summer.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

We're a little behind on the wheat harvest due to heavy rains last week.

Fortunately, the cooler temperatures kept it from maturing 

too fast while we waited for the soggy fields to dry.

                             
                                             I'm very thankful that the crop is not damaged,
                                              our cows are loving it in their feed ration,
                                                                                and

the family is happy to be working 

to finish the spring harvest.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

The cows are going to love this spring wheat!

Weather permitting, we plan to chop it and put it in the silo.

This allows us a quality forage feed to mix  in the feed 

ration for the cows to enjoy every day.

Harvesting a crop is a process.

First, the wheat will be cut and allowed a day to dry before it

 will be chopped and hauled to the silo.

We hope and pray for good dry weather during the process 

and no mechanical failures.

I know, I know,  I'm asking for a lot!

                                             I'm thankful for a great spring crop and for my
                                                   hardworking farmer husband and sons.

Sustainable Dairy Farming

 

For the last few days, we've been harvesting (also known as "green chopping")  the spring crop of wheat and rye grass that will be included in the balanced diet for our cows to enjoy this summer.

It's a perfect example of how we recycle on the farm and protect the environment.

 

Cow manure is recycled as fertilizer for crops by following a farm plan designed specifically  for our farm that guides the amount, source and placement and timing of manure on fields.  Utilizing cow manure as fertilizer adds organic matter to the soil and helps the soil hold moisture. Manure nutrients are absorbed by crops and not groundwater which fits perfectly with federal, state and local clean water laws.

 

 

It's true...Earth Day is Everyday on the dairy farm!

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!

Dairy Farmer's Rain Dance

 

We've waited all winter for this spring wheat crop to start growing and now with a few warm spring days you can  see it changing almost daily. It's our kind of excitement!

 

 

Field crops need nutrients to grow so  Casey spread a measured amount of commercial fertilizer over several fields today. With moisture and more growing days, this wheat will be chopped or baled for our dairy cows to enjoy as part of their balanced diet that provides high-quality milk.

 

 Just so you know,

the dairy farmer's rain dance is done with a tractor and a fertilizer spreader!

 

 

Dairy Farmers Celebrate Earth Day Everyday

Although we celebrate Earth Day everyday  on the dairy farm by caring for our  land and  animals, harvesting our spring crop of rye grass  is a great way to celebrate the actual day. This crop has grown due to the application of cow manure on the field. Cow manure not only  provides needed  nutrients for a crop , it also   increases the water holding capacity for the soil.


 Recycled cow manure is a perfect example of how we celebrate Earth Day everyday!

Federal ,state and local clean water laws regulate how manure is applied on crop lands, so nutrients are absorbed by crops,not groundwater.  To protect the environment, we follow a farm plan that has been designed by environmental engineering specialists that  guide how much manure can be applied to acceptable acres of farm and crop land.

From all of us down on the dairy farm,

 

Happy Earth Day!!

Farmer in the Dell

When our dairy nutritionist was on the farm today, Ryan was showing him part of the spring crop that we will start harvesting this week. It's a variety of rye grass that is cold tolerant and as you can see, has grown very well in Northwest Arkansas.

 

 Doesn't this look like the perfect picture for that old childhood song--'The Farmer in the Dell'?

 

 

Hi-O the Dairy-O, the Farmer in the Dell!

 

It's true...a picture is worth a thousand words.  As I looked at this picture of Ryan standing in the middle of the green field of rye grass I saw  not only the crop  that will be chopped and fed to our dairy cows,but also  the hope that this crop gives to the 3rd generation dairy  farmer that has experienced a devastating season of drought.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

 

On my way to Bible study and choir practice, I drove by one of our spring crops that will be mowed and chopped for dairy cow feed  in just a week or two.

 

It's a beautiful sight after a drought.

 

 

 

Even though it's been a chilly start to spring, I'm thankful for the spring rain that is replenishing the earth for a new growing season on the dairy farm.

 

 

 

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Rows of mowed wheat are just waiting to be spring cleaned from the field.

I'm thankful for the spring harvest  cleaning of our fields that will feed our dairy cattle,care for our land and sustain our family farm.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

A mild winter and an early spring has made a perfect growing season for this field of rye that was planted late last fall. Our dairy cows are going to love eating this crop!   I'm thankful for the fact that we have a beautiful,bountiful  crop to harvest!