Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

A trip to the Washington County Fair is a perfect way to begin September!

Where else can you see...

blue ribbon watermelons,

a variety of pumpkins,

beautiful dairy cattle,

or

                                          hear the laughter of families on the Ferris Wheel?

                                    I'm thankful for the people that participate in making any
                                                  county fair possible for all of us to enjoy.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

This  sweet little golden brown Ayrshire heifer  was born this week.

Do you think she will grow into these ears?

When she reaches her adult weight of 1200 pounds, the ears will be a perfect fit.

                                I'm thankful for Cody's 4-H project that keeps growing and for
                                      the smiles that a sweet baby always brings to the farmers.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Last Sunday afternoon dedicated firemen from three different community

 fire departments showed up to save a house located on one of our 

farm properties. Fortunately, there were no people in the house at the time of the

 fire and the quick and efficient  work of the firemen saved the dwelling.

We know many of these firemen personally and appreciate the

 fact that they represent generations of  firefighters in our community.

                                               I'm so thankful for these dedicated men that
                                                 volunteer to keep our communities safe.

Dairy Farmer Olympics

It's a race to the finish when you are raising a crop that will be fed to your dairy cows. 

The cows are counting on us! 

Each phase of crop production

--soil preparation,planting,harvesting-- 

is part of the relay race.

We began the harvest relay of our corn crop yesterday. 

It's being chopped and hauled to the silo so that it can ferment and

 be fed to our dairy cows  as corn silage.

  Sometimes the farmer  loses the race for 

no fault of his own because of  uncontrollable  factors like weather but  

like the Olympians we've been watching this week, 

farmers don't quit till the end of the race.

                                         My dairy farm Olympics experience tells me that we
                                          will have a few slow starts during  the harvest relay
                                                                 but like true Olympians,
                                    we can enjoy the rewards of hard work at the end of the race.
                                         

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

If you need a little inspiration this week, head to the Benton County Fair.

The livestock barn is full of young people  showing livestock

  as part of their 4-H or FFA  projects. Not everyone will go home with an

 assortment of  fair ribbons but  each young person  will have learned 

valuable life lessons that will help them succeed in life.

                                       I'm thankful for the dedication of each young person
                                  entering the fair  and the many adult leaders that guide them
                                 throughout the  year as they work on their individual projects.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

We're not so happy about ninety plus degree weather in August even

 though it's expected , but  the farmers are smiling about all the green grass.

I'm thankful for August green and the supply of hay our

 cows will enjoy this fall and winter.

Dairy Q&A

                                                                Question:

     What does the label "Best By" mean on top of the milk jug?

                                            Answer:

According to Midwest Dairy,"Best By","Best if Used By" and "Use-By" dates  indicate  the recommended timing for the best flavor and optimal quality of the milk or milk product.  Even if the product date expires, it may still be safe to use if handled properly. 
Discard dairy products that develop an off flavor,odor or appearance.