Thursday, November 12, 2020

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday



Even though our daily routine stays the same,
there is never just a "normal " day.
Today we welcomed a new calf to the herd.
How we care for this new calf  prepares the
way for the production of  high-quality nutritious milk.

                              
                               Later in the afternoon, Ryan participated in a  virtual "Cheese Chat"
                             sponsored by Midwest Dairy. This was a new way to bring a variety of
                            consumers together to talk about the sustainable production of dairy
                            products, learn about cheese from the expert cheese monger
                                 and experience the taste of a  variety of cheeses produced
                                 in the midwestern states of Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma,
                                               Minnesota and Iowa.   
                                  

                                                  I'm thankful for this dairy farmer that was 
                                              willing to participate in a new experience that promotes
                                              dairy products and shares how dairy farms and families 
                                              work everyday to produce nutritious milk sustainably.
                                   

Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Thank-you Veterans


Veterans Day, also known as Armistice Day, pays tribute to all American veterans.
Living or dead, we pay tribute to all American Veterans and give thanks
to those who served their country honorably during war or peacetime.
President Woodrow Wilson declared "Armistice Day" on the first
anniversary of the end of World War I on November 11,1919.

Ryan's dad, Bill, served during World War II.
Fortunately for our family, he returned to our family farm
 after serving in Japan.


Ryan's Mom and Dad married before he left for his
service in Japan.
It's hard to imagine the sacrifices of the men
and women just like Ryan's parents who
left farm and family to fight for the 
freedoms we enjoy everyday.


During the years when Bill was serving,
Bonnah Lyn continued to farm with
her father while waiting on Bill's return.


Words seem totally inadequate when you think of 
the sacrifices made by families across America
during times of war but these days of
celebration give us the opportunity to
stop and give thanks for every Veteran.

From down on the dairy farm,
Happy Veterans Day!




 

Thursday, November 5, 2020

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday



Voting is such a privilege.
Standing in line last week during early voting, I 
was inspired by the number of people that 
were standing in line with me to cast their vote.
Regardless of the outcome of any election,
I am thankful to be an American farmer that enjoys 
the freedom to live and work


everyday down on our Arkansas dairy farm
caring  for the land we call home


                                              and for the beautiful cows that provide healthy
                                                  nutritious milk for your family and mine.
           

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday



I'm thankful for the  little bit of rain that allowed
the wheat planting to be completed this  past week.
The  last bit of seed left in the drill was just enough to plant into
the Bermuda and mixed grass  hay field next to the house. 
It will be harvested before the grass begins to grow in the spring.
This is commonly called a cover crop. 


Utilizing the manure from our cows to fertilize both crops is
one of  the ongoing sustainable practices down on the 
dairy farm.

 
                                  

                               

Thursday, October 22, 2020

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday


You can't help but smile when you see such a new sweet
red calf with its mother early in the morning down
on the dairy farm.

As you can tell from the angle of this picture, the mother
wanted nothing to do with posing as I followed along trying 
to get a better shot to share.


                     Our milking herd includes several of these beautiful Ayrshire 

                        cows that belong to son Cody. His Ayrshire herd began

                              during his 4-H dairy project days many years ago.

                     I'm thankful for these happy reminders  of great 4-H dairy project days

                                    and the expansion of the herd that will  continue to

                                                          produce nutritious milk.


                                 

Thursday, October 15, 2020

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday


Surprise!

Surprise was our initial reaction when we found 
this cute red and white calf in the 
pasture this morning  while checking for  over 
night deliveries. This is a  a red and white 
Holstein  but when both the mother and father 
are black and white, 
it is a complete surprise to find a different color!



 

                                                  As you can see from the chart below, 
                                       there are 6 recognized breeds of dairy cattle.


                                    Each one is beautiful and has its own characteristics.
                                    The Holstein, which can be black and white or 
                                      red and white, is the largest of the dairy breeds
                                         and gives   the greatest volume of milk. 

                               During our sons' 4-H dairy project years we enjoyed 
                             raising  Guernseys, Brown Swiss, Ayrshire and Holstein.
                             We loved them all but the Holstein and Ayrshire are
                                        the breeds that are in today's milking herd. 

                                I'm thankful for these surprises that happen on just an 
                                              ordinary day down on the dairy farm.




Wednesday, October 7, 2020

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

Just as hay and crop harvesting are winding down,
the fall calving season is beginning to ramp up with a new
calf arriving every day or two.

This experienced Mama that has had at least two calves before 
today's arrival, just couldn't complete the birth without assistance.
She was walked from the pasture to the maternity barn because the 
calf would need to be delivered by  the farmer.
In just minutes after delivery, she was welcoming her new baby
with heavy duty tongue licking to stimulate  and clean him.
Mother and baby are doing well.



There's never just one job happening down on the dairy farm.
While Casey was delivering this calf,
Cody was planting wheat. 
Just a routine day that requires management
and multi-tasking skills.


I'm thankful for these two sons that work so hard
every day to care for our cows and the land we call home
and 
for the fact that I have been  blessed to work with 
them every day down on the dairy farm.