Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

If you didn't   have a watch or a cell phone to give you the time, you

could still   estimate  time down on the dairy farm  by

 watching the cows standing in the pasture. It's obvious that like us,

the cows are creatures of habit.  

The feed wagon with silage rolls into the dry cow pasture  every

morning  around 8:30.  Today was no different and you can

see the cows are eagerly watching and  waiting  to get 

their first bite.

Dry cows receive a pellet feed that is formulated for their

metabolic needs during this time of resting and preparing to

give birth. The silage on the wagon is like dessert to the cows.

It's no wonder that there is a lot of mooing if the wagon is late!

                                     I'm thankful for  the simple daily reminders to 

                                   appreciate the predictable  and the unpredictable

                                            like an iris blooming in  November!

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.

                                   

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!

 

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.

           

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.

 

                                  

                               

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.

                                 

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.