Spring Fling Down on the Dairy Farm

 

Even though it's spring, our chilly temperatures haven't enticed the pasture grass to grow very fast. 

 We'll continue  feeding large round hay bales in the manger for these soon to be mama cows until there is an ample supply of grass to satisfy every cow just like we've done all winter. I'm sure the cows are anxious for their spring fling in  lush grass after such a hard winter!

 

I love spring down on the dairy farm for a lot of reasons but it's always  fun to see how the cows behavior and attitudes seem to change with a few warm days and a little green grass.

I'm not so different from the cows--I think my attitude and behavior is a little bit better with warm sunshine and the beauty of spring!

 

 

It's hard to tell who is more anxious for the dairy farm's spring fling--the cows or the farmers!

Great American Milk Drive Supports Food Banks

Feeding America is America's leading domestic hunger relief organization with the mission to feed hungry Americans through a network of member food banks and engage our nation in the fight to end hunger.  Hunger is a reality for more than 49 million Americans. Through partnerships with public and private organizations and businesses , millions of meals are secured on behalf of local food banks to provide hunger relief.
 

Dairy farmers and dairy processors launched The Great American  Milk Drive this week in partnership with Feeding America to bring awareness about the scarcity of milk for food banks and to work for a goal of providing 2 million gallons of milk to food banks.

Hunger is a very real problem in America.  It's a fact that  1 in 6 Americans suffer hunger.
I'm joining in the fight against hunger by participating in the Milk Drive and by other opportunities   provided by partnerships with food companies at Outnumber Hunger. Involvement in these activities will help Feeding America to:

• ensure no child is at risk of hunger
• provide well stocked food banks   to help the needy
• improve families have access to food
• help people  in hard times

More information about the Great American Milk Drive can also be found at Midwest Dairy.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

 

Bridal showers are definitely a fun part of my transition into my soon to be mother-in-law role.

Our hostess had the perfect theme for the shower -- "Udderly in Love"!

 

 

I'm thankful to share in all the " Udderly in Love" memory making!

 

Nutritional Milk Deal

Although I haven't seen the price of milk change  at my local store, I know that there is a huge  variance in the retail price of milk from store to store and from city to city. Milk price is determined by the market forces of supply and demand and right now there is a global demand for milk that is putting pressure on local store prices.  We (dairy farmers) don't have anything to do with milk pricing but we are responsible for producing high-quality milk that offers more nutritional value than any other food America's families can buy.


If you're making hard decisions about the best nutrition for your food dollar, consider milk a nutritional deal because:

• Dairy products are an economical staple with great taste and nutrition.
• Milk offers more nutrients per penny than almost any other beverage option in the supermarket.
• Milk is one of the most nutrient -rich foods on your grocery list.
• At about 25 cents per 8 ounce glass, on a gallon basis, milk is a bargain.
• Milk supplies nine essential nutrients that you and your family need, including calcium,       vitamin D, protein, vitamin A and potassium.

You can find more information about dairy nutrition or how we work to produce high-quality milk at Dairy Makes Sense.

                                                            Milk is a nutritional deal!

Bessie Fact: Dairy foods provide 70 percent of the calcium in the nation's food supply;

milk is the top source of potassium,phosphorus, and vitamin D in the U.S. diet.

No Foolin'--Dairy Makes Sense!

I would know it was a joke if the farmers came into the kitchen and told me they wouldn't be hungry today!  I'm looking forward to trying Easy Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas With Yogurt. It's no joke--Dairy Makes Sense!

Easy Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas With Yogurt

3 ounces cream cheese
2 cups chopped, cooked chicken breast
12 ounces chunky salsa
1 cup Mexican-blend cheese,shredded
8 (6 inch) whole wheat tortillas
Yogurt Sauce:
2 cups low-fat plain yogurt
1 cup chopped cilantro
1 teaspoon ground cumin

Preparation:P
Heat cream cheese in large skillet over medium heat until soft. Stir in chicken and 1/2 cup of the salsa; mix well. Add 1/2 cup shredded cheese; stir until melted.Spoon about 1/3 cup of the chicken mixture onto each tortilla; roll up. Place seam side down in 12x8 inch baking dish. Top with remaining salsa and cheese. Bake at 350 degrees F. for about 15 minutes or until heated through. Serve with yogurt sauce.

For the yogurt sauce, combine yogurt, cilantro and cumin. Chill until needed.

 

No foolin'--you can find a variety of delicious recipes at Dairy Makes Sense.

Happy April Fool's Day!

 

 

Dairy Farming Benefits

Although working with family doesn't always create a stress free work environment, I feel really fortunate to work  with my family everyday on the dairy farm. 

It's a rewarding experience and what I consider as one of my dairy farming benefits  to see my sons share in the daily responsibilities of caring for our dairy cows and the land we call home.

 

One of our daily farm chores  done every  morning and afternoon is the calf feeding. Yesterday afternoon  I beat Cody to  the tractor driving job, so he fed the calf on the bottle while

 

 

Casey fed the calves that drink milk from the bucket.

 

 
 

 

 

  This tractor driver, besides being a great calf feeding tractor driver,  provides benefits to the hard working dairy farmer sons  

 

                                       
                                             with labors of love from  dairymom's kitchen!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

     National Ag Day celebrates the fact that American agriculture is doing more and doing it better.

 I love this picture of my mother-in-law, Bonnah Lyn.  It's a reminder to me of how hard she worked, the sacrifices she made for her family and family farm, and how technology has changed the efficiency of food production.
    I'm thankful for  our agricultural heritage and for the third generation farmer she raised just for me!