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.

January Reflections

January is in full swing...

freezing weather and high winds,

 a little fog,

lightning but no rain,

a little sleet,

 single digit  temperatures followed

by 

70  degree days...

 

but what can you say?

It's crazy January!

The calves are handling crazy weather better than the 

farmers.

I will say, January also gives time to reflect on some

of the fun times of the holiday season...

and a special Christmas gift of a visit from 

my friend Nancy.

Life on the farm just can't get any better when you 

have the love of family and friends.

It's that love that keeps us going on the 

toughest days.

 

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

So far, January weather has just been teasing us with skiffs

 of snow and frigid temperatures that blew in from the north after

 seventy degree temperatures during the holidays.

These extreme changes of weather are a stress on all of us.

It becomes even more important to closely monitor the cows 

and calves for any sign of illness during stressful events and

provide comfort and protection as much as possible.

Blanket coats for the calves and hay rolled out for the cows to rest

on during frigid temperatures are ways we can reduce the stress 

created by  weather conditions beyond our control.

I'm thankful for the healthy calves that have been born during 

challenging weather conditions,

for our devoted farm dogs that provide entertainment

for us and the cows,

and for the warm blanket coats  for the calves and

the farmers that care for all the animals down on the

dairy farm.

                                          

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

                           

                            It's been a week of wild weather changes from balmy

                          70 degrees  down to the  low thirties .   To go with 

                           the changes,  we have welcomed five new calves

                            this week.  I don't know   if it is scientific or just 

                            coincidence,   but full moons and   barometer

                           changes  often bring   calving action in the pasture!

One of my favorite jobs is to be the Uber driver for

picking up calves and delivering them to their calf hutch.

I am a good driver going forward but watch out for those 

trailer back up skills!

Our calves will  spend the first three months in

an individual calf hutch where they are closely monitored

and fed milk and grain twice daily.

A healthy calf is the beginning for high-quality milk.

                                       I'm so thankful to live and work down on the dairy

                               farm with my family and for the opportunity to    share 

                                         with my friend just where milk comes from. 

                                                        

Weather and Farmers

                              

                     If you have ever been involved in farming, related to a farmer

                    or know a farmer, you know that weather is a big topic of 

                     discussion especially  when planning how to harvest a crop.

                 We listen to the weather reports morning, noon and night

                        and I  have learned (the hard way) that you do not talk to

                                      the farmer during the weather report.

                 

                           We've been waiting  for "the just right weather" to begin 

                                               these last days of fall harvest.  

                                After the three inch rain last week, the ground has

                       finally dried enough to begin  the last cutting of the hay crop.

This part of the acreage is being dry baled so an extra

day was required to allow it to dry before being baled.

The other part of this fall hay  harvest was baled and wrapped.

These bales will ferment and be used as silage in the 

feed ration for the dairy cows. 

Wrapping hay is often a great way to save a hay crop

from unpredictable weather. You might say it's one of the 

tools in the farmer's weather tool box!

It's time now to catch the next weather forecast!

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

Who would ever think   August 

temperatures  in Arkansas would be less than 90 degrees

 with little humidity! Cooler summer temperatures make 

every job on the farm a little easier.

It was perfect weather for bringing this group of

 dairy cows to the  pasture by the house so we can 

observe them closely and assist with delivery if needed.

I love to watch them graze in the late afternoon.

I'm thankful for these first days of August that 

have increased the comfort of our cows, 

                    
 

calves,

and farmers.

Happy August!

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

Even though it's been chilly in the mornings, 

the calves always happily greet us to drink their

warm milk  and wait on their grain feeding.

If they don't come out to meet us,

we soon find out if they are not feeling well.

It's  part of our everyday dairy farmer job to monitor the 

health of each calf and to make sure regardless of the 

weather changes that each calf eats and drinks. 

Weather is an environmental stress that can definitely

impact the health of a newborn calf.

These twenty degree temperature changes within

a few hours is rough on all of us!

 

I'm thankful for the health of our animals,

for the good health of my family and our employees

during this crazy pandemic

and

for the smiles we have had  watching

our new truck driver haul his load

of toilet paper left under the 

Christmas tree at his house.

                                                       
 

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

It was a snow day down on the dairy farm!

Well, you might call it more of a snow event since

most melted by noon.

The  older calves weren't a bit impressed by the little 

bit of snow that covered the ground. Nothing could stop 

them from drinking warm  milk and eating grain.

It's always fun to watch the youngest calves experience 

their first snow. Most were hesitant to come out of their 

warm hutches but once I coaxed them out with 

a warm bottle of milk, the snow was not an issue.

                                           Regardless of the weather, the calves are fed milk
                                        and grain twice daily  and monitored closely for any
                                                              signs of stress and illness.

                                             I'm thankful for the beauty of the snow day and for
                                            the joy we find in caring for our calves and cows
                                                       every day  down on the dairy farm.
                                         
                                       

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

Arkansas is known for unpredictable weather changes but 

this week has been ridiculous!

Our cows and calves had less than 24 hours to adapt from a 

beautiful 70 degree fall day to what felt like January bone-chilling

twenty degrees with a little sleet and snow. 

We prepared as best we could by unrolling hay

for the cows to rest on and bedding calf hutches  

with extra hay or shavings for warmth. 

I'm thankful that this baby was born on the 70 degree day

before the chilly weather

and all the calves survived with no symptoms of  illness

or hypothermia.

                                                         
                                                  I'm also very appreciative of  and thankful for
                                              the warm insulated coveralls that  kept me warm
                                                                  and a little less cranky!
                                                       

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

We couldn't have asked for better hay baling weather this past week.

It was hot and dry and the last bale was rolled up before the rain shower.

Harvesting hay requires planning that includes the time needed for cutting,

raking and baling. Watching the weather forecast is part of that planning

but sometimes even the best plan can be surprised by the pop-up shower.

We're still looking for that perfect app for weather predicting!

I'm thankful for the harvest of this dry hay that will 

provide our dairy and beef  cows with the nutrition 

needed this fall and winter.

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! 

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

Although our weather has been mild compared to our farming friends to the north,

we are still dealing with  extremely  cold temperatures that bring added stress to normal

calving situations. 

This new baby was delivered without complication  in the pasture but

we decided to provide a little extra help in warming up.

Our procedure  for warming them includes a short time under   a heat lamp, providing a

warm spot in the barn  and  the usual feeding of warm colostrum.

Tomorrow he will be moved to his individual hutch.

                                       
                                                      You can see he's quite comfortable.
                                       I'm thankful for the ways we can provide care for our
                                         animals during  extreme weather and that we are
                                                              one day closer to spring!
                                                 
                                               

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

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

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.

We're Open!

We're Open!

There's no question about what will happen down on the dairy farm

when inclement weather shuts down the  normal activities of our community.

Bundled up with several layers of warm clothes and boots to give us traction on the ice,

you  will find us doing what we do every day...

feeding calves,

milking cows,

feeding cows, 

and 

                                                                 
                              taking pride in our commitment to provide high-quality milk that
                              plays a critical role in the diets of adults and children by providing
                             nine essential nutrients, including calcium,magnesium, potassium
                             and phosphorus,in addition to 48 percent of the daily value of protein.

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!
                                           

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

As I turned into the driveway late this afternoon, 

I saw this group of pregnant cows resting in the shade.

It was a perfect picture for the word content.

                                                     
                                   It was obvious the cows are enjoying the lower temperature
                                            and humidity for the first two days of August.
                                 
                                  Although I know these cooler temperatures are just a pause in
                                         our usual summer heat, I'm thankful for the comfort
                                                  provided for the cows and the farmers.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

There's nothing unusual about experiencing hot and humid

 weather in Northwest Arkansas during  July.

When we start the early morning at 81 degrees, 

I am thankful for the cloudy, overcast sky that offers a little relief 

for the dairy  cows while they are eating from the feed wagons

and

 the weed pullers in the garden!