Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

It was a dreary,gray,drizzly start to our calf feeding chore time this morning.

As I looked to the dry pasture to see if we had any new calves born in the night, 

I spotted 6 young deer running together at the north end of the pasture

 trying to figure out how to get over the electric fence.

The deer moved so quickly and gracefully.

 I wished I had been able to capture a better picture of their beauty and grace but 

my phone /camera  was buried in my coveralls to protect it from the drizzle.

   
                                          You can see a faint outline of the deer inside the heart.
                                           It was obvious that fences are no obstacle to the deer.
                                           
                                    I'm thankful for the moments of surprise that warm the heart
                                           and send a special message of love that God provides
                                                   down on the dairy farm when least expected.
                                         

                                                     Happy Valentine's Day!

We're Open!

We're Open!

There's no question about what will happen down on the dairy farm

when inclement weather shuts down the  normal activities of our community.

Bundled up with several layers of warm clothes and boots to give us traction on the ice,

you  will find us doing what we do every day...

feeding calves,

milking cows,

feeding cows, 

and 

                                                                 
                              taking pride in our commitment to provide high-quality milk that
                              plays a critical role in the diets of adults and children by providing
                             nine essential nutrients, including calcium,magnesium, potassium
                             and phosphorus,in addition to 48 percent of the daily value of protein.

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.