Calm Cows Prepare for June Dairy Month

Just before dark I stepped outside to see if the sky was billowing up with the dark storm clouds that are predicted to appear in the next few hours.  The air is heavy and after several windy days this week, it seems strange that  there is hardly a leaf stirring.

 The pregnant cows in the pasture next to the house are resting and don't seem bothered by the impending storm. It seems like they may know that it's the calm before the storm and  time to take this opportunity to rest.

 

After two months of rest, these cows are ready to give birth and a stormy night might be the perfect opportunity!

 

Wouldn't a new dairy calf be the perfect way for these calm cows  to kick-off  June Dairy Month?

 

 

 

 

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Whether it's a birthday on the dairy  farm

 

 

or a celebration on the Bentonville Square (my hometown),

 

 

I'm thankful to celebrate my birthday this Thursday  with my Mother for the 58th time!!

 

 

Holiday Highlights on the Dairy Farm

This is how we're spending Memorial Day on the dairy farm.....

 

feeding the calves,

 

milking and feeding the cows,

 

 

feeding young calves around the farm,

 

 

continue harvesting the  spring crop of rye grass  that will feed our cows,

 

enjoying lunch with my family before they return to work in the field,

                                enjoying a spin to work off some of that ice cream I plan on eating!
                                                                             
                                                                 Happy Memorial Day!   

Memorable Memorial Day

Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial beginning of summer but for me, it's a time to pause and remember those who have given their all so that we might enjoy the freedoms that are often taken for granted in the daily routine of life.

 

 

In church this weekend, we'll be singing My Country,Tis of Thee. It's such a simple song that I've sung since childhood but the words still ring true:

 

My country, 'tis of thee,

Sweet land of liberty,

Of thee I sing:

Land where my fathers died,

Land of the Pilgrims'Pride,

From every mountainside

Let freedom ring.

 

With a grateful heart, I say thank-you.

                                                                   
                                                                 God Bless America !
                                                        

Bessie's Home Makeover

It's no wonder that Bessie is smiling--- her home at Dairy Makes Sense just got a new makeover!
Her new place has all kinds of interesting rooms filled with nutrition facts,health and fitness information, introductions to some of the Midwest dairy farmers, and all kinds of nutritious,delicious dairy recipes.

I'm celebrating Bessie's Home Makeover with   Lemon Blueberry Chicken Salad (found at Dairy Makes Sense). Looks like a perfect fit for a holiday weekend or busy  summertime schedule!


Lemon Blueberry Chicken Salad

Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups(10 ounces) low-fat lemon flavored yogurt
2 tablespoons reduced-fat mayonnaise
2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
2 cups cubed cooked chicken breasts
3/4 cup sliced celery (about 3 stalks)
1/2 cup green onions (about 6), thinly sliced
1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced (about 1/2 medium pepper)
Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

In a medium bowl, combine yogurt and mayonnaise. Mix in blueberries (saving a few for garnish) chicken,celery, green onions and bell pepper. Mix gently. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate to let flavors blend for at least 30 minutes.

Serve over endive or other salad greens with reserved blueberries and lemon slices, if desired.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

 

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for the many men and women who have served our country to protect our freedoms. While Ryan's Dad was serving in Japan during World War II, Ryan's mother was home taking care of the farm.

 

 

 

 

I'm thankful for the sacrifices each of them made during their lifetime to protect and preserve our country and family farm heritage. 

 

Future of Food 2013

Just a few weeks ago, I spent a couple of mornings giving University of Arkansas students a tour of our dairy farm. I love sharing how we work every day (that's 24/7,holidays and weekends) to produce a safe and healthy product. Part of the tour includes explaining and showing how we work to protect the environment and utilize all our resources. It's science and technology that drive efficiency today and the future of our food production system.

                     

It's a fact that one of the greatest challenges of the next generation will be providing nutritious,affordable food to a global population expected to grow to 9 billion by 2050--while using fewer resources. Dairy foods are key to healthy people, healthy communities and a healthy planet.

Discussion of the Future of Food is vital to all of us--consumers and farmers. One of these discussions is being hosted by the National Dairy Council and Washington Post Live in Washington,D.C. tomorrow (May 22) beginning at 7:30 CST. You can join in the conversation using the twitter hashtag #ThinkFood or watch Future of Food online.

                                                                            
                                                                      #ThinkFood