Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

We kicked off our Benton County Farm Bureau membership drive this week  with the 

signing of a proclamation by Benton County Judge Barry Moerhing to declare

 February 5-9 Farm Bureau Week.

I'm thankful to serve in an organization  that 

promotes and educates about agriculture 

and 

works for all citizens through legislative activities that impact

 our everyday lives in the city, the county 

or

                                                                down on the dairy farm.

Permitted to Farm

                   
                       Like it or not, rules and regulations are a part of our everyday lives.
                           In fact, we are permitted to farm because we follow the rules that
                                protect the environment for us, our neighbors and our cows.

                       
                 We've been following the rules and regulations  of the Arkansas Department
                          of Environmental Quality with a Regulation 5 Permit since 1985.
                         The Regulation 5 Permit allows our dairy farm  to store liquid
                                     and dry manure that is produced by our dairy cows.

                                Our facility was designed by a professional engineer to
                            make sure that storage was adequate and designed specifically
                               to protect the environment and preserve our water quality.

                   A nutrient management plan that has been designed by a soil specialist
                        guides the amount,source, placement and timing of manure on fields.

                             
                                
                                     Whether you are a dairy farmer or a hog farmer,
                               we love the land, live to protect it and follow the rules so
                                                      we are permitted to farm.
                                 

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Life is often confusing but I'm thankful  

you can count on the cows to point you in the right direction,

provide entertainment when they   show up in the wrong place,

show up  on the wrong side of the fence

and  according to researchers, 

still  produce  the most complete and balanced source of protein,

fat and carbohydrates compared with the assortment of dairy imitation drinks.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

It was a week filled with listening and learning  about agriculture issues.

Arkansas Farm Bureau President Randy Veach spoke to 

agriculture and business leaders about  the impact of trade 

on Arkansas farms at the

 Arkansas World Trade Center in Rogers,

Dr. Mark Stephenson spoke about the changing landscape of dairy markets

 at the Heart of America Dairy Expo in Springfield, Missouri,

and

Arkansas Farm Bureau Vice President spoke about

the current threat to  our Right to Farm in Arkansas at the

 Winter Commodity Conference in North Little Rock.

                                         
                                          I'm thankful for the opportunity to be a member of
                                           organizations  that support our farms and farmers
                                            and for the routine days down on the dairy farm.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

There's beauty in everyday.

On the dairy farm, that beauty usually includes cows and calves.

I'm thankful for the beautiful sunsets that provide a perfect backdrop 

for our extraordinary  

 

ordinary days.

                                     
                                                           

January Shows Off

January is showing off  with single digit temperatures for 

 multiple days and so far has just teased us with a skiff of snow.

It may be all that she can do!

There's not another layer I can add to keep warm and still fit 

into my coveralls so why shouldn't I taunt her?

Although the cows don't seem to be taking it as hard as the farmers,

we have unrolled large hay bales in the pastures for them to lay on, increased

 the amount of feed needed and made sure their water supply is not frozen.

This new baby and mother spent their first night inside

 the maternity barn for added protection from extreme cold.

                               
                                        Evaluating our cows comfort and providing what they
                                         need is an everyday  activity down on the dairy farm.

                                      Our commitment to providing high-quality milk begins
                                      with taking good care of our cows in spite of the weather!
                                           

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Have you heard....

January 11 is National Milk Day!

According to the National Day Calendar, National Milk Day commemorates

 the day that many think the first milk deliveries in

 glass bottles began in the United States. 

Alexander Campbell of the New York Dairy
Company professed to the New York State Senate that his 

company was the first to make these deliveries in 1878.

To those of us who love every aspect of dairy, 

it's another opportunity to celebrate milk!

I'm thankful we can enjoy and celebrate  milk everyday of the year!