Dairy's Labor of Love

For the next few weeks, we will be observing and assisting heifers that will deliver their first calf. It's an exciting time as we watch these young heifers that we have raised from birth, give birth to their first calf and join the milking herd. No matter how many times we witness the birth of a new calf, it's always a miracle and a reminder that each animal truly represents a dairy farmer's labor of love.

On our farm, it's not unusual to have almost three years invested into caring for each heifer before she gives birth. Each phase of growth and development of the heifer requires a nutritious diet,good medical care and healthy living conditions. The investment in each animal pays off because the dairy farmer's labor of love leads to high-quality wholesome milk.

 

It's a fact:

 

A dairy farmer's labor of love provides healthy animals

 that are the foundation of a safe and abundant food supply.

Super Bowl Wins With Dairy

I'm admitting right up front that the thrill of the Super Bowl celebration for me is not the game itself, but the time spent with my  family and friends ,watching the TV commercials during the game and making sure that all the favorite snacks are available for getting the chosen team to victory. It's going to be fun this year to see for the first time ever at the Super Bowl-- a milk commercial!!

Even though we will have plenty of snacks, a sweet piece of Chocolate Sheath Cake served with a cold glass of milk or a dip of vanilla ice cream will be on our list as a  Super Bowl winner!

Chocolate Sheath Cake
1 stick butter
1/2 cup shortening
4 tablespoons cocoa
1 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon soda
2 eggs, slightly beaten


Bring butter,shortening,cocoa and water to a rapid boil. Pour over the sugar and flour and beat well. Add buttermilk and soda,vanilla and eggs. Beat, then bake at 400 degrees F. in metal loaf pan for 20 minutes. Cover with the following:

Icing
1 stick butter
4 tablespoons cocoa
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar,sifted
6 tablespoons milk
1 cup pecans (optional)
1 teaspoon vanilla

Bring butter,cocoa and milk to a boil. Add sifted  powdered sugar,vanilla and pecans. Beat well and pour over cake while hot.

                                                                  Winners Drink Milk!!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

                                                                                      
   It's easy to talk about a subject that you are passionate about and an organization where membership matters. My friends James and Rick shared what Farm Bureau means to them personally and the benefits of membership during the KURM radio program. I'm thankful to be a Benton County Farm Bureau member!

Dairy Recipe Adventure

For the last few weeks, quick and easy have been  the top criteria for the meals served from my
kitchen. Fancy Baked Chicken (found in my Southern Living 1979 Annual Recipes)  not only met the criteria but also  brought positive remarks from my  sons when they came in for lunch!  Although they are not too critical when I try new recipes, I do get the rolling eyes and heavy sighs over being part of a new recipe adventure.

I will admit that in my hurry to get the chicken in the oven, I used shredded Parmesan cheese rather than grated. It was a little crunchy on top  but still dairy  good! 



Fancy Baked Chicken

1/2 cup butter,melted
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3/4 to 1 teaspoon granulated garlic (optional)
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 whole chicken breasts,skinned and boned
1 to 1 1/2 cups soft breadcrumbs

Combine butter,cheese,garlic, and salt;mix well.
Dip each piece of chicken in mixture, reserving remainder; coat with breadcrumbs.
Place chicken in a greased 13x9x2 inch baking dish; spoon remaining butter mixture on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until done. Yield: 4 servings

Life on the dairy farm is always full of adventure--especially in the kitchen!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

 

Blessings often come when least expected. After attending the first day of the Southern Dairy Conference in Atlanta learing about dairy industry policy and on-farm practices, I enjoyed a visit with Nancy, my nursing school roommate from thirty-nine years ago, who lives in Atlanta. I'm thankful for the blessing of sweet friendship. 

 

 

"To know someone here or there with whom you can feel understanding in spite of distances or thoughts unexpressed that can make of this earth a garden"

Dairy Cow Check-ups

Thank goodness we don't have to load up all the dairy cows and haul them to the doctor's office for their routine check-ups! Cow check-ups happen once a month  when Dr. Gary France, our cow family's veterinarian, comes to the farm for what we call  "herd health" day.
As I watched the cows approach for check-ups
this morning, it was obvious that they were aware of a change in the daily routine!

On the way to the feed barn after being milked, the cows took a detour to the doctor's farm office known as the health management area. This area is a simply designed place for the cows to stand comfortably for examination and treatment when needed. After being examined for pregnancy or any health issue, the cows return to their normal everyday schedule of walking to the feed barn to enjoy their balanced diet before going back to the pasture to rest.

My job during cow check-ups is to provide information to the doctor about each cow and record all the health information from the veterinarian. Information from today's herd health exams will be entered into our computer records and used to manage the health care of each cow. Cow check-ups are an important part of our commitment to providing high-quality milk by taking good care of our cows.

                                       I'm thankful veterinarians still make dairy farm calls!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

 

 

 

The best part of any trip for me is coming home! Although the calves did seem to be extra happy to see me, our sons and employees took great care of all the calves and cows while Ryan and I  were attending the American Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in Nashville,Tennessee.

I'm thankful for living on the dairy farm with my family and working to provide high-quality,wholesome milk.