Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

Abundant spring rains made it difficult to harvest spring crops

creating that domino effect of too much to get done within 

the specific planting time frame. June could be compared to 

a Chinese fire drill down on the dairy farm with everyone going

in multiple directions everyday. All of the crops we raise are used

throughout the year to feed our dairy cows. 

The cows are counting on us!

I found myself working as a transport person as we moved equipment 

to the fields for planting crops that will be harvested in the fall.

Equipment adjustments are normal and often take more than one

farmer's knowledge to work out the kinks or in this case the hydraulics.

I'm thankful for these moments in time when waiting on the

farmers creates opportunities in the ordinary day

to appreciate my  farm family,

to see the joy in the small but mighty grand-girl's 

face when learning and helping to feed the calves,

                                                 and the wonder of just sitting on a bench!

Dairyfarmer's Thankful Thursday

There's nothing sweeter than watching a mama cow

welcome her new baby with a tongue licking bath.

This licking cleans and strategically moves  and helps expel 

any fluids that might be present in the calf's lungs. 

It's obvious that our Creator thinks of everything!

Within just three months,

this new baby will have out grown the individual hutch we

raise them in and need to be moved to a small pasture.

This process is what we call weaning.

Calves are usually 10 to 12 weeks old when weaned from the hutches.

Before moving the calves they are on water and pelleted feed

that is formulated for their growth and development. 

This preparation decreases the stress on the day

 we actually move them and for the adjustment to their

new surroundings.

I'm thankful for each of these healthy calves that will

one day be producing high quality milk and

for the opportunity I have to work with my two sons

everyday down on the dairy farm.

Happy Father's Day!

                                   Ryan and I cherish the memories we have of our fathers.
                                Father's Day reminds us of all the ways our fathers loved us,
                               taught us and continually supported us as we experienced life.

Although our sons will have different experiences than us,

it's our hope that they too will have many memories to cherish.

We already know they are storing up all the times of 

funny experiences and crazy ideas we have shared  in life so far.

                                                                           
                                                            From down on the dairy farm,

                                                        Happy Father's Day!         
                     

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

                               No matter how many times we find a new baby in the pasture,
                                      I still love to welcome each one to the farm and give
                                          a congratulations  to the mama for a job well done.

                                      Yesterday we had two new babies for the welcome party.

A double delight for a day during June Dairy Month.

Each of these mamas was raised by us. 

From the day of delivery, we are caring daily for each

one for an average of two and a half to three years before  

 the heifer will have her first calf.

High quality milk begins with a healthy animal and

that's where our job begins on day one in caring for each new calf.

                                                 Even though we have challenges every day,
                                I'm thankful for the joys of our job  down on the dairy farm
                                as we work to produce high-quality milk for my family and yours.

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

It's June Dairy Month!

Hope you have been eating all the dairy foods you can!

We appreciate all the ways you and your families 

support us.

Down on the dairy farm, the calves celebrate

everyday with milk in the morning and evening.

Just like us humans, calves and cows must have

good nutritious food for growth and development.

Grain, a mixture of sweet corn that is pelleted,  

is added to their diet gradually to meet their nutritional needs.

Providing good nutrition and monitoring the growth and 

development of our calves is how we insure that we will

have healthy cows to produce milk.

As you can see, between the lines of barbwire, 

these beauties in the pasture will soon be

having calves and entering the milking herd.

Growing the milking herd is approximately a three

year project of love and dedication.

I'm thankful that even in tough times we can  

celebrate all that we love and care for each day.

We are blessed.

Happy June Dairy Month!

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

We kicked off  the 2020 hay  season down on the

 dairy farm this week. I felt like we should be having a 

hay party to celebrate this season of hay production that 

has been delayed with cool, rainy weather all spring.

Hay is used in feeding our dairy cows everyday.

It is part of the special diet that is formulated by

our dairy nutritionist to make sure the cows are provided 

all the nutrients needed to produce milk and maintain health.

I'm thankful that the sun kept shining while this hay

was cut and baled before the next rain shower

and 

                                                         
                                                     that we did celebrate our first hay day
                                                 with the birthday of our head farmer and
                                                             his candle blowing helpers!

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

From the minute we bring a newborn  calf into 

their own private hutch, it becomes our priority

to monitor the calf for any health issue and to 

make sure it is drinking milk  twice a day and

adding grain at the appropriate time.

Care in the hutches continues for approximately three months.

The hutch protects from weather and the pens surrounding

 them provide ample space for the calf to freely move about 

while protecting them from other members of the herd.

When the calves are transitioned out of the hutch into a small 

pasture, the training begins for living as a group,

 eating together from a grain trough and drinking at

the water tank.

My job last week was to stand in the gate and direct

 them to follow Ryan to the feed manger at feeding time.

It doesn't take very long for the calves to know

it's time for dinner!

  

I'm thankful for the opportunity we have

each day to care for our calves that will  assure a future 

of producing high-quality milk

                                                                                  and

                                                         for the little surprises down on
                                                                       the dairy farm!