Dairy Farmer's Field of Dreams

 

Dairy farmers often have a different perspective. You may just see a field of cows but I see the dairy farmer's field of dreams...

 

                                                                                
                   it's a field full of pregnant heifers that will soon produce  a new spring  calf crop,
                                            the  potential milking cows for our family  dairy farm.
                                                              A dairy farmer's dream!

Farmers Appreciate Northwest Arkansas Dairy Tour

A couple of years ago I met  Tiffiny, a Midwestern farm girl, the  owner of a local  tour agency specializing in agricultural tours.  Combining her love for  and interest in agriculture with her passion for traveling has brought her great success in providing tour packages for farmers wishing to learn more about agriculture in a variety of places in the United States and around the world.  To celebrate 15 years of  agricultural tours with Trump Tours, Tiffiny invited customers to come to Bentonville for the weekend to give a taste of Arkansas agriculture and a view of Northwest Arkansas.

                               It was our privilege to share our dairy  farm with these farmers from
                               around the country as part of their tour day in Northwest Arkansas. 

         With their knowledge of and connection to agriculture, it was obvious that these farmers
                understand  the commitment of food production and appreciate the responsibility 
                                       that  dairy farmers take seriously seven days a week.

 

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

 

We're celebrating a birthday today!!

 

                                                          Spring hasn't officially started
                                                                             but
                          I'm thankful that our spring calving season officially started today  with
                         our young Holstein  heifer giving birth for the first time  to  this   sweet heifer calf!

Dairy Recipe Celebrates St. Patrick Luck

In honor of St. Patrick's Day on March 17th, my church is planning a Sunday dinner with a green theme. It's always fun to see what creative dishes may appear from some of the best cooks in the county! 

I've  eaten Lemon-Lime Gelatin Salad   at many  potluck dinners but never made it myself so I'm hoping  St. Patrick's Day will hopefully bring me good luck in the kitchen!  After all, legend says that each leaf of the clover means something: the first is for hope, the second for faith, the third for love and the fourth for luck.

Lemon-Lime Gelatin Salad

1 (3oz.) pkg. lime gelatin
1 (3oz.) pkg. lemon gelatin
2 cups boiling water
1 cup crushed pineapple, drained with juice reserved
1 cup small curd  cottage cheese
1 cup cream or evaporated milk
1 c. mayonnaise
1/2 cup chopped  pecans

Directions:
In a large measuring pitcher, mix reserved pineapple juice and enough water to yield 2 cups. Pour into a pot and bring to a boil. Add the lime and lemon gelatin mixes and stir until completely dissolved.

Stir the mayonnaise and evaporated milk together in a mixing bowl. Stir in the gelatin mixture until completely blended. Mix in the crushed pineapple, cottage cheese, and pecans. Pour the gelatin mixture into a serving bowl. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.


                                                              Happy St. Patrick's Day!
                                                                             

Dairy Bull Shares Daylight Savings Attitude

Even though Daylight Savings Time reminds us that spring is just around the corner, I must admit I really hate to give up my hour of sleep! It will take me a few days to get adjusted to the change and I will be the first to admit, my attitude for a few days is a lot  like the dairy farm  bull--mean and ornery!

 

 

 

Although we use artificial insemination for breeding dairy heifers and cows, we still keep registered Holstein bulls on the farm to assist our breeding program. Holstein bulls are known for having bad attitudes and must be treated with respect. Even if they act friendly, we handle them with great care for everyone's safety.  This particular bull enjoys standing by the fence anytime we are near, pawing at the ground and loudly bellowing.



 

                                      Looking on the bright  side of Daylight Savings Time,
                                my attitude  will eventually  improve  but  the bull's never does!       

Dairy Celebrates National Nutrition Month

Since March is National Nutrition Month, it's the perfect time to focus on exploring new foods, flavors and as the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics states "Enjoy the task of eating right".  Eating right includes not only making informed food choices but developing sound eating habits and physical activity habits.

Dairy foods are a perfect fit for celebrating National Nutrition Month!


I'm planning a personal celebration by trying some tasty nutritious  recipes from  Dairy Makes Sense  that will expand my nutritional horizons. I'm living proof---you're never too old to improve my eating habits or try new recipes!


Roasted Asparagus with Chive Yogurt Ranch Dressing

Ingredients for dressing:

3/4 cup low-fat Greek style plain yogurt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup low-fat buttermilk
3 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped
For asparagus:
1 1/2 pounds asparagus
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

Preparation:
In a medium bowl, whisk together yogurt, garlic powder, onion powder,pepper and salt. Slowly pour in buttermilk, whisking constantly. Mix in chives. For best results, make dressing ahead of time and let sit in refrigerator overnight.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Wash and break ends off of asparagus. On a baking sheet with a lip (like a jelly roll pan), place asparagus and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper; toss until fully coated. cook for 10-12 minutes (depending on size of stalks). Let cool 5-10 minutes before serving.

For each serving, divide asparagus into six shallow bowls and pour 1/3 cup dressing  on top.

You can enjoy the taste of  eating right with dairy!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Just as these pregnant  cows and heifers are waiting patiently for their afternoon grain to be fed,

we're anxiously waiting to  welcome  new baby calves to our dairy farm!

 

 

Even though we welcome new babies any time,

 I'm thankful that these cows and heifers will calve in warmer temperatures and without  sleet, snow or ice!