Barns and Babies

The days of spring down on the farm are 

always busy with cattle working to improve the health of our beef cattle

and fertilizing the fields that will bring on the growth of hay but

this year we added barn building onto the schedule.

This barn will be used to store hay.  When complete it will 

also have areas on the side that cattle can rest under for shade or 

for protection from inclement winter weather.

Truly a picture of modern day barn raising with all family members

involved as the crane was lifting the trusses in place.

We still manage to enjoy the beauty of spring 

as we check cattle and watch the new babies

stay  close to their mama or run around like crazy,

                                          to celebrate the spring birthdays with the family,

                        

                                                and appreciate the beauty in the garden.
 

                           

                                          I hope you are enjoying and celebrating spring

                                    as much as we are down on the Arkansas farm!

Thankful Thursday

Although every day is different on the farm, 

we also have a routine that you can set your clock by.

When I see the calves gathering by the gate, hear the chain on the gate fall,

and see black calves turn and make  the big run for the feed manger,

I know the farmer with the feed has arrived!

The farmer and his feed truck are a little like the Pied Piper.

Calves will follow the farmer and his feed truck anywhere!

                                  

                                         Calves aren't the only things growing down on the farm!

                                   

                                 I'm thankful that Breck and Hattie are often part of our routine

                                                             days down on the farm!

Thankful Thursday

It may be too cold or  wet for pasture grasses or crops to grow,

but you can always count on the weeds to take advantage of the 

worst conditions!

We were grateful for the two days without rain that allowed 

Cody to begin weed control spraying in the pasture next to the house.

This pasture has a variety of Bermuda and other mixed grasses that

will grow much better with less competition from the weeds and make

a more nutritious  hay bale for our cows to enjoy.

If you look closely, you can see a couple of extra heads in the 

tractor cab.  

Hattie and Breck didn't waste the opportunity 

to ride in the tractor with their Daddy.

I am thankful that we can share life on the farm with 

our family and celebrate the milestones of 

each year  with those we love the most!

 

Winter's Last Hurrah

With the end of February and the turning of the calendar, we all have that 

hope and realization that spring is just around the corner.

However, March seldom gives up those last winter weather days.

As I faced the north wind and blowing snow this morning, I

was pretty sure that Winter was shouting its last hurrah and 

probably having a good laugh!

Fluctuating temperatures like we have experienced this month

are very stressful for the calves and often bring illness

such as pneumonia and scours. 

Providing  blankets to keep them warm, providing

warm milk twice daily, bedding the hutches with straw 

 or shavings and monitoring each calf  closely is 

 our everyday farmer job.

These jonquil blooms earlier this week

were just a little bit early for real spring

                               

                                  but they did confirm the hope and promise of  spring is real!

                                                                      

Thankful Thursday

Just before this week's winter sleet and thunder storm,

we welcomed a new Holstein heifer calf.

Her mother was standing back just watching her new baby

while the other cow was trying so hard to

be a substitute mother.  If we could only explain to her

that she will have her very own calf in just a short time!

I'm so thankful that this new baby was born

on a warmer, balmier weather day,

 we had no bone breaking falls on  the ice

and can still  marvel at winter's beauty.

However,

Come on Spring--we're ready!!

 

Dairy Dream

Then

(November 24,1984)

and now

we're still livin' the dairy dream today

and 

celebrating thirty four years of life together down on the dairy farm.

                 
                                          I now know that the pair of pliers and pocket knife
                                            Ryan gave me on our wedding day was no joke!
                               

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Before I married a farmer,

a rain gauge was just  one of those free items you received from 

the local bank or insurance company. 

My how time and experience change 

what we think and what we value.

We no longer seem to be offered the free rain gauge

but the rain gauge has become an important and valued tool in my 

farm wife toolbox.

Emptying the rain gauge during a drought 

has become my favorite job!

It's one of those happy heart moments 

down on the dairy farm.

I'm thankful for the two inch rain we received this past week,

for the fact that the rain allowed  time in the shop for machinery repair,

for the slightly cooler temperatures for our cows to enjoy

 even though it was a brief cool-down,

                                                   
                                                                              and
                                             for refreshing our thirsty land and farmer souls.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Policy making time at Farm Bureau is serious business.

 It's our policy framework that guides the work of our organization. 

As stated in a recent  membership brochure-- 

"Farm Bureau policy, because it is crafted by individuals, 

reflects a wide range of needs and interests. Issues are as far-ranging as

 soil testing,production research,public education, taxes,

 roads, trespassing,health and safety."

Resolutions for policy  are presented at the county annual meeting. 

Every member who chooses to do so can have a say in our policies and programs.

It's the grassroots process of policy development that sets us apart from other organization.

Last week the State Resolutions Committee, met in Little Rock 

to discuss the presented changes or additions to the 

policy adopted at the county level.

Discussion of each issue that is presented is interesting,enlightening and

 although we may not all agree, majority rules. 

The final step in policy development will be the presentation of these 

policy changes to the Delegates at the Arkansas Farm Bureau 

Annual Meeting in December.

I'm thankful to be involved in an organization 

where membership does really matter!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Frannie, the Arkansas Farm Bureau cow, 

 was on her best behavior today as Westside Elementary students  milked for the first time. 

It's always fun to watch the kids try their hand at milking the cow and give them first hand information about dairy farming and Arkansas agriculture.

                                      I'm thankful for the opportunity to share how we work
                                      on the dairy farm to produce high-quality milk and the
                                             importance of agriculture to our everyday lives.

Lovin' on Agriculture

What's not to love about agriculture? Agriculture is  vitally important in our everyday lives.

 National Ag Day gives us a special opportunity to celebrate and give a little extra love for

 what we often take for granted.

Agriculture is celebrated on National Ag Day to appreciate :

• the value it brings to our everyday lives 
• how it improves and  maintains a strong economy
• the role it plays in providing abundant and affordable products
• how food and fiber products are produced

This year's national  theme is "Agriculture: Stewards of a Healthy Planet".
 It's obvious that with limited resources and more people (9 billion) to feed by 2050,

 producing more food and agricultural products will require all of us working together
 to conserve and preserve all along the production and farm to market  path.
 Dairy farm families across the United States are working every day to produce high

 quality milk using proven science and technologies.

Here's a few ag facts to celebrate...

• One U.S. farm feeds 168 people.
• 97% of U.S. farms are family owned
• Total U.S. crop yield (tons per acre) has increased more than 360% since 1950.
• Dairy farms produce a gallon of milk using 95 percent less land, and 65 percent 
• less water while producing 76 percent less manure compared with 1944.

                         You're invited to join us for a little lovin' on Arkansas agriculture at our 

                                                         Benton County Ag Day celebration 

                       being held at the Northwest Arkansas  Community College from 1-4 p.m. 

                                                                      Happy Ag Day

                                                          from down on the dairy farm!

Dairy Farm Dog Delivers Devotion

There's nothing easy about losing a pet.

 Best way I can describe losing my dairy farm partner,Chester, is that  my heart hurts.

 Chester and I developed our partnership 12 years ago when he left 

a Missouri farm to live in Arkansas with me and my dairy farm family. 

His unique look--what we think was a cross of wire- haired terrier and blue healer--was so ugly, he was cute.

He had the sweetest brown eyes.

Chester lived life to the fullest.

He rode the 4-wheeler when any one would allow it.

In his younger days, he did like to nip your heels when you least expected it. This trait was not too pleasant and made a definite impression if you were a victim. 

He thought he was a cow dog--he just didn't know which end he should be moving. Most of the time, he enjoyed chasing them away from the fence.

He loved attention from any children that came to visit the farm. 

Chester was totally devoted to me. If you were looking for me on the farm, Chester was by my side.

                                           It was a lonely walk to the calf hutches this morning.
                                                         We have other farm dogs to love
                                                                               but
                                                               there will never be another
                                                                             Chester.

                                                                   
                                                                       

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

As we kick off our Benton County Farm Bureau Membership Campaign with a proclamation from Benton County Judge Bob Clinard recognizing the importance of agriculture in our community, I am thankful for the opportunity to serve my community through the volunteer activities of Benton County Farm Bureau.

                                                        Happy Farm Bureau Week!

Dairy Farmer's Labor of Love

As the days grow shorter and cooler, the fields of sweet sorghum  (also called sorgo)  are calling the dairy farmer to prepare for  harvesting  this sweet tasting silage crop for the dairy cows to enjoy this fall and through the winter months.  

Growing a crop is a labor of love for my  third generation dairy farmer husband. I love seeing the smile on his face as he looks across the sorghum field.

We drove to several of the fields this afternoon to see how the sorghum  is maturing and make a plan which field we will begin harvesting first.  Most of the sorghum is seven to eight feet tall and the tops are beginning to change from yellow to a reddish brown  color as it matures. 

He thought he was hiding from me, but I could still see his smile!  

Harvest of this labor of love begins next week!

                                                                         

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

On the way to our friend's house, we stopped to check the status of the milo crop that we plan to chop for silage.  While I was getting out of the truck, Ryan moved quickly out of site between the rows. 

I was searching for him when his head popped up and I heard him laughing.

                                                  He  reminded me of a Jack-in-the-Box toy!
                     I'm thankful for this Farmer-in-the-Field and for his dedication  and love of farming!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

There's nothing prettier or more peaceful than to watch cows grazing in a field at dusk. This group of young Holstein heifers were the perfect example of  "pretty as a picture"!

                                                  I'm thankful for the green grass of August 

                                                                                and

 for the opportunity to work everyday with my family to raise healthy cows that produce high quality milk!