Dairyfarmer's Thankful Thursday

The calves don't seem to be a bit concerned with the

prediction of a thunderstorm. Each calf eagerly drank their milk and

began eating grain as soon as we delivered it to each bucket this 

morning under a slightly threatening set of storm clouds.

We are not always good at guessing what happens with the weather but

neither is the weatherman!

Although the calves tolerate the heat well, I am watching each one carefully

for signs of dehydration or lack of appetite that can be early signs of

 heat stress or illness.

These babies will grow to become the cows that produce milk, so we are 

committed to getting them off to a healthy start with daily consistent care.

I'm thankful when the rain holds off long enough

for the calves to eat their grain,

the hay to get baled,

                                       
                                    and for the fact that we can celebrate  eating and making
                                         ice cream during the predictably hot month of July!

Blessed Americans

Regardless of living in the middle of a pandemic and

the unrest in our country at this time,

we are blessed to live in this great nation and call ourselves 

Americans.

July 4th gives us the opportunity to celebrate all that 

we are as a nation and to appreciate all those that

have worked, struggled and sacrificed to bring us to this point in time. 

We are not a perfect nation because we are an imperfect people.

It is our duty to strive to be better on every level.

As we work today down on the dairy farm, 

we are celebrating the fact that we have the 

freedom to farm,

                                                   
                                     freedom to work everyday to provide food for Americans,

                                                       
                                                                                and
                                              the freedom  to  celebrate what July 4th means
                                                    with the next generation of Americans.

                                                           God Bless America!

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!