Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

Members of  Bentonville Girl Scout Troop 150 gathered together

this week to honor the memory of our Girl Scout Leader Marilyn Bogle.

From the second grade till we graduated in 1973, Marilyn was our mentor and

guide. She provided countless opportunities and experiences that guided 

us to make decisions that impacted our career and life choices.

It was fitting that the members of our troop gathered for

 a lovely supper and cookie toast to celebrate

the very special bond we feel with our friend Marilyn.

I'm thankful for each member of Girl Scout Troop 150,

the life long friendships that might  never have

happened without the love and devotion of  Marilyn Bogle,

and  the example of what happens when you invest in 

the lives of others.

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

It was a snow day down on the dairy farm!

Well, you might call it more of a snow event since

most melted by noon.

The  older calves weren't a bit impressed by the little 

bit of snow that covered the ground. Nothing could stop 

them from drinking warm  milk and eating grain.

It's always fun to watch the youngest calves experience 

their first snow. Most were hesitant to come out of their 

warm hutches but once I coaxed them out with 

a warm bottle of milk, the snow was not an issue.

                                           Regardless of the weather, the calves are fed milk
                                        and grain twice daily  and monitored closely for any
                                                              signs of stress and illness.

                                             I'm thankful for the beauty of the snow day and for
                                            the joy we find in caring for our calves and cows
                                                       every day  down on the dairy farm.
                                         
                                       

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

Dairy farmers work closely with a variety of professionals such 

as veterinarians and animal nutritionists. One of

 my favorite professionals that we talk very little 

about is  the dairy cow hoof trimmer. 

In the human world, you might call him your

 podiatrist or  foot specialist. 

It is a known fact that comfortable  cows are healthy  cows.

Hoof trimming provides a measure of comfort that will correct

or prevent lameness.

Our hoof trimmer is a master at 

  utilizing  his skills to diagnose and treat the types of foot issues that 

each animal is experiencing or keeps the feet healthy by trimming 

the hooves for preventive maintenance.

Hoof trimmer Ben sets up his own shop when he

arrives on the farm. His hydraulic chute and table 

will place the cow on her side with her legs

 restrained for safety and  comfort. 

I'm thankful for professionals like Ben that use their

skills and love for cattle to ensure that each of our dairy

cows is comfortable, healthy and providing  high-quality

milk for your family and mine.

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

Don't you just love a new baby?

Through the month of December we've 

welcomed twenty new babies to the farm. 

Each new heifer will be raised to be the next

generation of dairy milking cows on our farm.

This development occurs over a 2 to 3 year period 

as each animal matures and gives birth to their first calf.

You might say Christmas gifts are given  year round

down on the dairy farm!

                                   I'm thankful for the gift we receive of watching each calf
                                     grow  and develop into a milking cow that will provide
                                             high-quality milk for our family and yours.
                               

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

Happy New Year!

There's nothing more heart warming on a chilly day

down on the dairy farm than the delight of a child or

adult sharing in the care of a new calf on their first 

 dairy farm visit.

This farm visit was unique in that it was a special request

of my nursing school roommate to bring her niece's family

to the dairy farm while she was home for the holidays.

Aunt Nancy will forever be the favorite aunt!

We timed the visit to coincide with the afternoon calf feeding

so that each child could have the opportunity to

bottle feed a new calf. 

It was a precious time of sharing about the love we

have for caring for our animals and the work 

we do every day to provide safe, nutritious milk.

                                           
                                                  I'm thankful for the opportunity to share
                                           about dairy farming and agriculture to consumers
                                                of all ages and for the blessing of friendship.