Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

No tears were shed when we ended February and began

the month of March with the delightful fifty degree temperature

and the feeling of spring just around the corner.

I'm thankful for the little bit of green that is beginning to 

show up in the pastures down on the dairy farm,

the new baby calves that are being born without 

the worry of below zero temperatures,

and 

for the joy brought by just being with grandchildren

on a spring-like winter day!

                                           

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

One of the best things about farm living is that we have

so many  moments  that fit the old phrase

 "a picture is worth a thousand words".

The sun has been more than welcome in helping to melt off

the two weeks of cold temperatures, ice and snow.

Last week we had cows calving in below zero temperatures and

today's baby arrived with a warm forty degrees.

Isn't is amazing what a difference the sunshine makes to our stress level?

In the very same day, I received a box of sunshine from my

dear friend that is working every day as a nurse during the 

pandemic of our lifetime.

In her very own words, "a little ray of healthy vitamin C and

sunshine". She's my hero!

I'm thankful for the sunshine gifts of life and love

that God sends us everyday! 

                                    

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

                             

                                      

    After carefully walking around on ice last week,  we were  extremely happy for the    snow that made it easier and safer for us and the cows to  gain a little bit of traction.   We prepared as best would could for what we consider normal  cold weather but nothing on the farm works when temperatures drop below zero and hover in the teens through out the day.

From the equipment in the milk barn to the water tanks, well houses,

 and ponds, everything has been frozen.  Every minute of each day 

has been busy with hauling water, breaking ice on the ponds,

  feeding the cows and repairing damaged equipment to get 

the milking done. 

If you want to see a farmer's determination to care for his animals,

come on  down to the dairy farm and I will show you  my family of farmers.

 

I'm thankful that my family and our employees have

been kept safe this week  as we worked together

down on the dairy farm.

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

Preparing for extreme cold weather is always a challenge on the dairy farm

but when you add a layer of ice it's a double whammy.

As we tried to bring the two expectant mamas into the maternity barn

to shelter for the night, the first cow slipped on the ice.

Luckily, she was able to get up and walk on to the barn.

After seeing the struggle of the cow getting up on the ice, 

it was decided the other cow would be  left in the pasture.

Cold weather doesn't create the same risk as the broken leg or hip injuries.

Several large hay bales were unrolled for the cows to rest on.

As luck would have it, the cow in the pasture calved and the cow in 

the maternity barn did not.

Cody brought this new baby into the maternity barn as soon as he found her

and put her in a hutch with a heat bulb. She looked pretty cozy when I 

went to check on her after calf feeding.

I thought about climbing into the hutch with her for 

a warm-up!

It's been a rough couple of days trying to stay warm

and upright walking on ice but I'm thankful for the 

fact that we have a healthy new baby and that 

no animals, employees or family have been injured

down on the dairy farm.

 

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

One of the greatest joys of family farm life is

sharing  everyday activities with our children and

grandchildren.  

Hearing the sweet little voice of Hattie was all it

took for me to abandon my farm bookkeeping task,

 throw on my coat and head to the calf 

hutches with Cody and Hattie.

The afternoon was perfect for the job of placing 

ear tags that we use to identify each heifer calf.

This identification number is used as a name and is

entered into a computer data base. The  information about

each heifer calf is used for the care  of each calf

 as they grow and mature and eventually become part

 of the milking herd.

Hattie's job was to entice the calf out of the hutch.

She obviously had the job she wanted!

I'm thankful for each moment we have together

and 

                                                and for  the memories we are creating

down on the dairy farm.

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

January must know her days are limited as she brought us 

chilling temperatures and a skiff of snow just at calf feeding

time this morning.  

A new baby and her mother were just what I needed to

warm my heart on this cold January morning.

After all the calves were fed their morning milk and grain,

we picked up the baby , transported her to a warm calf

hutch and walked her mother to the milk barn.

It's my job from this point to monitor and care for the 

baby. High-quality milk begins with a healthy cow and

it begins on this very first day.

Who else gets to feel such joy and can describe having

fun at work more days than not!

I'm thankful!

 

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

It was moooving day this week!

The move did not include any packing material or boxes--

just calves that enjoyed kicking up their heels with

 the excitement of  a new experience.

The oldest calves  in the calf hutches (at least three months old)

 were moved from their individual hutches to a small pasture

 where they will begin  living together as a herd. 

Before being put on the trailer,

each calf received a vaccination to protect them from 

common calf diseases and a dose of wormer.

This weaning process began  weeks before moving  day by

transitioning them from milk to water and a grain that is

 formulated for the growth of an older calf.

Weaned calves continue to be monitored closely for 

any signs of illness during their twice a day feeding in 

the pasture.  

I'm thankful for each of these calves

that we have raised from their

first day of life  down on the dairy farm

and

                                               the future production of high-quality milk

                                                 that begins with a healthy calf.