Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

We felt just a tease of spring this past week with temperatures 

above 60 degrees for a couple of days and the birth of a calf.

Even though we see calves born throughout the year,

it was the perfect reminder of many good things to come!

Spring brings the birth of many calves from the heifers we have raised 

from birth. These first calf heifers have been cared for

 everyday of their lives for at least two years before giving birth.

Our heifer birthing watch started this week with the arrival

 of 10 heifers  to the pasture by the house.

All of our heifer calves grow up to become the cows that 

produce  high-quality milk,

so we make it a priority to get them off to a healthy start.

I'm thankful for the many signs of  hope that are provided when

we so desperately need them down on the dairy farm.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Who would have thought that the lights of the new Walmart.com warehouse

 would be lighting up my bedroom at night down on the dairy farm!

As you look to the east of the calf hutches and the pasture where 

our pregnant cows rest, you can see the new structure. 

This gigantic change to the neighborhood began last summer when we

 realized we could see Highway 12 after all the trees were removed. 

I'm still adjusting to the new landscape

but

I'm thankful that the cows and calves aren't bothered

one bit by the change of scenery 

and 

                                 
                             our commitment to providing high-quality milk by caring for our
                         cows and the land continue regardless of the rapid changes around us.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

The ordinary days down on the dairy farm become extraordinary when 

viewed through the eyes of an inquisitive nearly  2 year old.

The blandness of winter scenery becomes more vivid as Hattie Claire and I 

talk about all that we see looking from our perch on the windowsill. 

We're not talking in great detail about all the ways we manage cow manure to

 help improve air and water quality or how we care for our cows everyday but 

we share an appreciation of all the activities and the farmers working at every task.

This week ,when looking to the left, our conversation was about the big tractor

 working to spread cow manure for anticipated green spring grass. 

To the right we saw  the cows busy eating their daily grain .

Tractors and cows just couldn't compare with the excitement of 

seeing the bright red headed woodpecker in the tree by the window.

                                   I'm thankful  for the opportunity we have to share life down
                                    on the dairy farm with the next generation and to enjoy the
                                                      spark of color in the dead of winter.

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.