Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

It seems fitting that a dairy farmer celebrates his birthday just as we kick off June Dairy Month!
I'm thankful for all the fun we have together as a family and the blessings I have received from sharing life with a dedicated dairy farmer.

June Dairy Month Celebrates Sustainability

June Dairy Month is a perfect time to celebrate how we work to provide safe high-quality milk while caring for our cows and the land.

Last year our family dairy farm completed an energy audit to look at potential ways we could save energy to improve the sustainability of our farm and in the long run, work to reduce our carbon footprint.

It's easy to understand that one of the recommendations from the audit was to install a piece of equipment in the milk barn called a 'plate cooler' because it takes a lot of electricity to milk the cows, cool the milk and keep the milk cool in the refrigerated tank until it is transported to the processing plant. The plate cooler saves energy by cooling the milk before it reaches the
refrigerated tank.




Our new plate cooler was installed in January but we just flipped the switch and turned it on last week because it involved the addition of a variable speed milk pump and an additional water system to recycle the water used by the plate cooler to cool the milk.

 Although we're still installing the permanent rubber tire water tanks in the pasture, the recycled water from the plate cooler is flowing into the water tanks in the pasture.

 

I realize that you might not share my enthusiasm about a piece of equipment but for me and my third generation dairy farm family, it's exciting to see the new milk pump and plate cooler running efficiently to reduce energy and recycle water to improve the sustainability of our family farm and the efficient use of our natural resources. 

Calm Cows Prepare for June Dairy Month

Just before dark I stepped outside to see if the sky was billowing up with the dark storm clouds that are predicted to appear in the next few hours.  The air is heavy and after several windy days this week, it seems strange that  there is hardly a leaf stirring.

 The pregnant cows in the pasture next to the house are resting and don't seem bothered by the impending storm. It seems like they may know that it's the calm before the storm and  time to take this opportunity to rest.

 

After two months of rest, these cows are ready to give birth and a stormy night might be the perfect opportunity!

 

Wouldn't a new dairy calf be the perfect way for these calm cows  to kick-off  June Dairy Month?

 

 

 

 

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Whether it's a birthday on the dairy  farm

 

 

or a celebration on the Bentonville Square (my hometown),

 

 

I'm thankful to celebrate my birthday this Thursday  with my Mother for the 58th time!!

 

 

Holiday Highlights on the Dairy Farm

This is how we're spending Memorial Day on the dairy farm.....

 

feeding the calves,

 

milking and feeding the cows,

 

 

feeding young calves around the farm,

 

 

continue harvesting the  spring crop of rye grass  that will feed our cows,

 

enjoying lunch with my family before they return to work in the field,

                                enjoying a spin to work off some of that ice cream I plan on eating!
                                                                             
                                                                 Happy Memorial Day!   

Memorable Memorial Day

Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial beginning of summer but for me, it's a time to pause and remember those who have given their all so that we might enjoy the freedoms that are often taken for granted in the daily routine of life.

 

 

In church this weekend, we'll be singing My Country,Tis of Thee. It's such a simple song that I've sung since childhood but the words still ring true:

 

My country, 'tis of thee,

Sweet land of liberty,

Of thee I sing:

Land where my fathers died,

Land of the Pilgrims'Pride,

From every mountainside

Let freedom ring.

 

With a grateful heart, I say thank-you.

                                                                   
                                                                 God Bless America !
                                                        

Bessie's Home Makeover

It's no wonder that Bessie is smiling--- her home at Dairy Makes Sense just got a new makeover!
Her new place has all kinds of interesting rooms filled with nutrition facts,health and fitness information, introductions to some of the Midwest dairy farmers, and all kinds of nutritious,delicious dairy recipes.

I'm celebrating Bessie's Home Makeover with   Lemon Blueberry Chicken Salad (found at Dairy Makes Sense). Looks like a perfect fit for a holiday weekend or busy  summertime schedule!


Lemon Blueberry Chicken Salad

Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups(10 ounces) low-fat lemon flavored yogurt
2 tablespoons reduced-fat mayonnaise
2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
2 cups cubed cooked chicken breasts
3/4 cup sliced celery (about 3 stalks)
1/2 cup green onions (about 6), thinly sliced
1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced (about 1/2 medium pepper)
Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

In a medium bowl, combine yogurt and mayonnaise. Mix in blueberries (saving a few for garnish) chicken,celery, green onions and bell pepper. Mix gently. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate to let flavors blend for at least 30 minutes.

Serve over endive or other salad greens with reserved blueberries and lemon slices, if desired.