Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Even though it was almost dusk when the custom silage chopper

 pulled into the first corn field this week, it was decided to open the

 field and get the process started. 

As I waited for the chopping to begin, it suddenly seemed like fall.

As darkness covered the field, the air became chilly. 

I was wishing for jeans and a long sleeved shirt instead of my shorts.

Even a big pot of chili sounded good.

Can it really be fall in August?

We didn't haul too many loads to the silo  that first evening but 

 I am so thankful for the corn crop that will be used to 

feed our dairy cows through this fall and winter.

Ready or not---I think fall is sneaking up on us!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for the August rain that has made  this second cutting 

of hay grazer forage possible,

brought a smile to the farmer's face when  finding filled out corn ears

 that will soon be turned into feed for our dairy cows,

and

                                                   
                                 provided the opportunity to hear one of Hattie's new words,
                                                                          " rainin' "!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Do you notice anything unusual in this picture?

A mud puddle in August!

As you can see, the cows are crowding together because like

 a bunch of naughty kids,they are looking to lay down in that mud.

                             
                                     I'm thankful for the unusual amount of rainfall we have
                                      received in August that is restoring pastures dried  by
                               summer heat, watering our crops that will be harvested this fall
                                and providing a little fun relief for our much loved dairy cows.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Although our days on the dairy farm are busy and filled with

 a variety of challenges, 

I'm thankful for the smiles that come with these two tractor drivers

 and the opportunity we have to watch the fifth generation

 embrace life on the farm.

                                         
                                                 

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

As I turned into the driveway late this afternoon, 

I saw this group of pregnant cows resting in the shade.

It was a perfect picture for the word content.

                                                     
                                   It was obvious the cows are enjoying the lower temperature
                                            and humidity for the first two days of August.
                                 
                                  Although I know these cooler temperatures are just a pause in
                                         our usual summer heat, I'm thankful for the comfort
                                                  provided for the cows and the farmers.

Dairy Farm Magic

As I was watching the hay mowing cutter go across the field yesterday, 

I thought back to late last fall when Hattie and I were watching the 

manure spreader go in a similar pattern spreading  liquid cow manure.

From brown to green...a little dairy farm manure  magic!

 Cow manure is a nutrient used to fertilize fields that are 

part of our dairy farm's nutrient management plan.

Utilizing our  cows' manure is  an important part of our farm's

 sustainability because it adds organic material to the soil, 

increases the water holding capacity of the land and

decreases the amount of commercial fertilizer that is purchased.

                                             A perfect picture of a farmer working his magic!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

There's nothing unusual about experiencing hot and humid

 weather in Northwest Arkansas during  July.

When we start the early morning at 81 degrees, 

I am thankful for the cloudy, overcast sky that offers a little relief 

for the dairy  cows while they are eating from the feed wagons

and

 the weed pullers in the garden!