Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

It was a snow day down on the dairy farm!

Well, you might call it more of a snow event since

most melted by noon.

The  older calves weren't a bit impressed by the little 

bit of snow that covered the ground. Nothing could stop 

them from drinking warm  milk and eating grain.

It's always fun to watch the youngest calves experience 

their first snow. Most were hesitant to come out of their 

warm hutches but once I coaxed them out with 

a warm bottle of milk, the snow was not an issue.

                                           Regardless of the weather, the calves are fed milk
                                        and grain twice daily  and monitored closely for any
                                                              signs of stress and illness.

                                             I'm thankful for the beauty of the snow day and for
                                            the joy we find in caring for our calves and cows
                                                       every day  down on the dairy farm.
                                         
                                       

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

Dairy farmers work closely with a variety of professionals such 

as veterinarians and animal nutritionists. One of

 my favorite professionals that we talk very little 

about is  the dairy cow hoof trimmer. 

In the human world, you might call him your

 podiatrist or  foot specialist. 

It is a known fact that comfortable  cows are healthy  cows.

Hoof trimming provides a measure of comfort that will correct

or prevent lameness.

Our hoof trimmer is a master at 

  utilizing  his skills to diagnose and treat the types of foot issues that 

each animal is experiencing or keeps the feet healthy by trimming 

the hooves for preventive maintenance.

Hoof trimmer Ben sets up his own shop when he

arrives on the farm. His hydraulic chute and table 

will place the cow on her side with her legs

 restrained for safety and  comfort. 

I'm thankful for professionals like Ben that use their

skills and love for cattle to ensure that each of our dairy

cows is comfortable, healthy and providing  high-quality

milk for your family and mine.

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

Don't you just love a new baby?

Through the month of December we've 

welcomed twenty new babies to the farm. 

Each new heifer will be raised to be the next

generation of dairy milking cows on our farm.

This development occurs over a 2 to 3 year period 

as each animal matures and gives birth to their first calf.

You might say Christmas gifts are given  year round

down on the dairy farm!

                                   I'm thankful for the gift we receive of watching each calf
                                     grow  and develop into a milking cow that will provide
                                             high-quality milk for our family and yours.
                               

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

Happy New Year!

There's nothing more heart warming on a chilly day

down on the dairy farm than the delight of a child or

adult sharing in the care of a new calf on their first 

 dairy farm visit.

This farm visit was unique in that it was a special request

of my nursing school roommate to bring her niece's family

to the dairy farm while she was home for the holidays.

Aunt Nancy will forever be the favorite aunt!

We timed the visit to coincide with the afternoon calf feeding

so that each child could have the opportunity to

bottle feed a new calf. 

It was a precious time of sharing about the love we

have for caring for our animals and the work 

we do every day to provide safe, nutritious milk.

                                           
                                                  I'm thankful for the opportunity to share
                                           about dairy farming and agriculture to consumers
                                                of all ages and for the blessing of friendship.

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

I hope you had a very Merry Christmas!

It was special in every way down on the dairy farm.

Although we worked our usual schedule of milking the cows

and feeding and caring for cows and calves on Christmas Day,

at the end of the day, we gathered as a family for a 

meal and exchange of gifts. That may seem like a 

very ordinary event, but to me, 

the gathering of those I love is a precious gift.

I'm thankful for the new dairy heifer that we welcomed 

on Christmas Day,

 for all the gathering of family during this Christmas 

season, loving memories of past  family Christmas times

and

 the opportunity to make memories for the next generation.

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

"It takes a village" was the phrase that came to mind as I observed

this mama-to-be assisting with welcoming the new calf. It's not unusual

to see this behavior  in a pasture full of expectant mothers and although it

appears to be helpful, it can be a distraction to the new mother causing her

not to do her job of cleaning off the calf.  

We don't always separate these cows but today due to the frigid,damp weather, we

moved the new baby and mama to the maternity barn for protection and to assure

that the mama could do her important job.

Observing the behavior of animals is always interesting and part of the 

dairy farmer's job in providing good care of their cows and calves.

I'm thankful for all the birthdays down on the dairy farm

and in our family!

Happy 1st birthday,Breck!

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

I've had a lot of thinking time this week while sitting in the

 hospital  with my Mother who is battling pneumonia. 

It's moments or events like these when  you realize what is important

 may be different than what was on the daily schedule.

I'm thankful that I live in a community with state of the art medical

facilities, dedicated nurses and skilled doctors ,

for the beauty of the Christmas season,

                                                                           
                                         for my family that have taken over my farm duties
                                                while I have been taking care of Mother,

                                                                                 and
                                                    for the extended family and sweet friends
                                              that have lifted us up in prayers and offers of help.
                                             
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                                              Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything
                                           give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
                                                                                               I Thessalonians 5:16-18