Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

You could set your clock by these pregnant  dairy cows. 

They know when they hear the little feed truck come down the lane

 that it's time to eat!

                                     I'm thankful for the daily scenes just like this because it
                                   reminds me that everything we do down on the dairy farm
                                          to care for our dairy cows  has value in producing
                                                                  safe, high-quality milk.

Dairymom Job Security

When I get the call, "Are you home?", I know that my plans have changed.

 It's how things operate down on the dairy farm. 

It wasn't a difficult task to follow the farmer and tractor to the field  but

 in the scheme of everyday farming life, it was one of the many

 measures of time efficiency and safety.

As our population has grown, so have the number of vehicles traveling our roads.

Not every one understands or cares  that a tractor and an implement 

like the culti-packer don't move at lightening speed and even dirt roads 

are not always easy to maneuver when you meet oncoming traffic.

For our safety and in trying to be considerate of  our neighbors

 traveling the same roads,

 we use  the least traveled roads and if possible, choose the time

 of day for less traffic.

Traveling behind the tractor in a vehicle with flashing lights is

 the least I can do to try protecting my family.

It's my job.

                                       
                                               

Halloween Cheesy Treat

We never get too old for treats on Halloween so why not plan  a little cheesy treat for  your family? Midwest Dairy's  Cheese Lovers Pizza Squares is perfect for supper before, after or in-between greeting the Halloween characters that may show up at your house to collect a treat.

Cheese Lovers Pizza Squares

Ingredients;

1 can refrigerated pizza dough
1 cup Ricotta cheese
2 cups (8 oz,) shredded low-moisture part-skim
   Mozzarella cheese
2 ounces turkey pepperoni,diced
2 plum tomatoes, thinly sliced
1 cup yellow pepper,sliced
1 teaspoon oregano
2 tablespoons chopped parsley


Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Press pizza dough into 15 x 10-inch jelly roll pan.

Bake for 12 minutes; remove from oven and spread Ricotta cheese over crust. Top with Mozzarella,pepperoni,tomatoes,pepper and oregano.

Return to oven and bake for 6 minutes or until cheese is melted. Sprinkle with parsley, cut into squares and serve.

Yield: 10 servings

                                                                 Happy Halloween!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Foggy mornings on the dairy farm  make chore time a little more difficult 

but

                                         
                                          I'm thankful for the beacon-like white spots on our
                                          black and white Holsteins that assist us in finding a
                                                       sweet new overnight addition.
                                     

Rolling Up October

We're rolling up October in the hay field.

Even though we haven't had a killing frost yet, 

the grass has stopped growing and much of it has already

 turned pale green or brown due to  the seasonal changes but

 it can still be harvested for feeding our beef and dairy cattle.

                                                                     
                                   After rolling up  the hay from this field, we will apply
                                 a measured amount of cow manure (what we call nutrient)
                                                                 to fertilize the field.

                                     Nutrient management plans guide the amount,source,
                                              placement and timing of manure on fields.

                                     Rolling up October  is a sustainability  win for the
                                                 environment and  the dairy  farmer.

                                 

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

When a farmer goes to the vet clinic, you never know what may 

come home with him  in the truck. Last week, Beagle, the little black dog

  joined our farm family.She had been delivered to the clinic which

 serves as the local dog pound and desperately needed a home.

We didn't really need another farm dog but 

as it was explained to me, 

Beagle is the kind of dog that will just lay by

 your feet and soak up any attention you offer.

 As you can see , even the cows know when there is a new dog on the farm.

Beagle has a lot to learn about living on the dairy farm 

but I'm thankful for our new friend!

                                       

Dairy Spooks

                                               

                                           Here's a little  dairy fun   for  your spooks!

                                                                       

Spooky Ghost Milkshakes

Ingredients:

2 cups reduced fat milk

1 cup vanilla frozen yogurt

2 tablespoons chocolate chips,melted

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

In a microwave safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips at 50% power  for 4 seconds,stir and repeat at 10 second intervals until melted.

Using a clean paintbrush, paint ghost face on the side of a clear cup.

Allow to set (5 minutes).

In a blender, combine the milk,frozen yogurt and vanilla.

Pour into prepared cups.

*Recipe provided courtesy of Florida Dairy Farmers/Midwest Dairy Association