The bin is rattling and the last of the ground corn and protein is emptying into the wheelbarrel. It just seems like yesterday that we filled that bin! About every five weeks, we need to pull the grinder out of the shed, back it up to the corncrib and grind away. This can be an all day job, especially when the corn level drops below the level of the grain auger that carries the corn up into the grinder. It's alot easier to shovel down than to shovel up!
The grain sure smells nice as it is mixed up. The molasses and protein that we add give it such a sweet smell. Even the cows can smell that fresh grain. They begin their mooing as we auger the freshly ground grain into the bin. Better watch out when you take the grain wheelbarrel in front of the cows - they'll grab it with their noses and pull it right over when you're not looking!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
A Huge Bullcalf!
What a monster! This guy is quite the calf!
Yesterday afternoon, Farmer Rick had to assist one of the cows in birthing. Thank goodness this was her second calf, because if it had been her first, she could have had serious problems. After a relatively short labor, though, Farmer Rick was able to deliver the calf and bring it up to his momma for her to begin to clean up. Surprisingly, this calf is a holstein/guernsey cross. We did not expect this cross to be this large. But, we are glad that both are doing well. When this guy is hungry, you sure can hear him bellow across the barn! He wants his tummy filled - NOW!
So far, this year, we're 3 for 5 on heifer calves. Maybe this will be a more normal year with a 50/50 ration of bulls and heifers (boys and girls). For the last four years, we have run 80% heifers, 20% bulls. We'll see how it goes! The barn is full of heifers, plus we have several outside. They burrow down into a big round bale that we put out for them and eat as much as they want plus bed themselves down in it. Once the silo unloader is turned on at night, though, they are all at the back door of the barn, waiting for their silage. YUM!
Chores are waiting, so off to the barn I go. I think I can hear that bull calf now . . .
Yesterday afternoon, Farmer Rick had to assist one of the cows in birthing. Thank goodness this was her second calf, because if it had been her first, she could have had serious problems. After a relatively short labor, though, Farmer Rick was able to deliver the calf and bring it up to his momma for her to begin to clean up. Surprisingly, this calf is a holstein/guernsey cross. We did not expect this cross to be this large. But, we are glad that both are doing well. When this guy is hungry, you sure can hear him bellow across the barn! He wants his tummy filled - NOW!
So far, this year, we're 3 for 5 on heifer calves. Maybe this will be a more normal year with a 50/50 ration of bulls and heifers (boys and girls). For the last four years, we have run 80% heifers, 20% bulls. We'll see how it goes! The barn is full of heifers, plus we have several outside. They burrow down into a big round bale that we put out for them and eat as much as they want plus bed themselves down in it. Once the silo unloader is turned on at night, though, they are all at the back door of the barn, waiting for their silage. YUM!
Chores are waiting, so off to the barn I go. I think I can hear that bull calf now . . .
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
An Evening Ride in the Snow
Often when the issues of life are crowding in on us, we seek a quiet place to withdraw, gather our thoughts and composure, and find the strength to keep going. Once such place for me is on the back of a horse, quietly padding through the deep snow in the woods. Our gravel road is fairly quiet during the daytime, but at night, car travel is almost nonexistent. So, when heading off for a time of solice, there isn't that much for background noise from passing vehicles out on the road.
The quietness of the woods draws me there often to meditate and pray. I think my gelding now knows when I'm going to stop and rest, reflecting on the day's and week's events. He quite easily slips into the three-legged "resting mode" of a horse. He drops his head and takes a break also, for when the snow is deep, it is quite a bit of work carrying me around. Last night was one such night when the woods were just beautiful. The snow easily illuminates the landscape, making it easy to make your way among the trees. After stopping for a moment, the snow quietly began to descend, each snowflake whispering a promise of coming moisture that it will provide in the spring. It is so much easier to just let your worries and your cares descend to the ground, falling as the snowflakes do. Finding the presence of God in this place is not hard to do. Look up to the tree branches and see how each great oak, maple and birch all raise their branches in prayer. They quietly await the promise of spring, holding their buds for new leaves until just the right time to break open and green up the woods once again. If they can follow the cycles of life and wait paitently for the spring rains, why can't I present my circumstances to God, lay them there, and wait patiently for his answers?
I hear a shuffle behind us, and for a moment my train of thought is broken. It's only the dog catching up to us, snowplowing through the woods on his own trail, following enticing scents that tells him that we're not the only ones who venture through this quiet place. It's probably time to go. Head back to the house. And as we round the top of the ridge, we can see the back porch light sparking a glow through the narrow tree trunks that tell me that we're reaching the birch grove before the end of the woods.
Unsaddling the gelding in the barn, I give him a brush-down with a little bit extra elbow grease, letting him know that I'm proud of him and enjoy his patience with me, seeming to understand that this time alone, this time to reflect and meditate is so important to me, and that I'm honored that I can trust him to accompany me. A handful of grain and a pat on the rump. Now it's time to bring the others in and let them all enjoy a bit of grain and hay. I hear them all munching contentedly on their grain and I shut the lights off to the barn - how peaceful and content they sound . . .
The quietness of the woods draws me there often to meditate and pray. I think my gelding now knows when I'm going to stop and rest, reflecting on the day's and week's events. He quite easily slips into the three-legged "resting mode" of a horse. He drops his head and takes a break also, for when the snow is deep, it is quite a bit of work carrying me around. Last night was one such night when the woods were just beautiful. The snow easily illuminates the landscape, making it easy to make your way among the trees. After stopping for a moment, the snow quietly began to descend, each snowflake whispering a promise of coming moisture that it will provide in the spring. It is so much easier to just let your worries and your cares descend to the ground, falling as the snowflakes do. Finding the presence of God in this place is not hard to do. Look up to the tree branches and see how each great oak, maple and birch all raise their branches in prayer. They quietly await the promise of spring, holding their buds for new leaves until just the right time to break open and green up the woods once again. If they can follow the cycles of life and wait paitently for the spring rains, why can't I present my circumstances to God, lay them there, and wait patiently for his answers?
I hear a shuffle behind us, and for a moment my train of thought is broken. It's only the dog catching up to us, snowplowing through the woods on his own trail, following enticing scents that tells him that we're not the only ones who venture through this quiet place. It's probably time to go. Head back to the house. And as we round the top of the ridge, we can see the back porch light sparking a glow through the narrow tree trunks that tell me that we're reaching the birch grove before the end of the woods.
Unsaddling the gelding in the barn, I give him a brush-down with a little bit extra elbow grease, letting him know that I'm proud of him and enjoy his patience with me, seeming to understand that this time alone, this time to reflect and meditate is so important to me, and that I'm honored that I can trust him to accompany me. A handful of grain and a pat on the rump. Now it's time to bring the others in and let them all enjoy a bit of grain and hay. I hear them all munching contentedly on their grain and I shut the lights off to the barn - how peaceful and content they sound . . .
Friday, March 4, 2011
Wow - a Successful Herd Health!
We need more days like this! There is a bit of anticipation as we work around the barn, waiting for the vet to pull in the driveway. Each month, as we await his arrival, we find odd jobs around the barn that keep us close and ready when he arrives. Always in the back of your mind is: how many cows settled, who can we catch in heat, how many cows need shots, etc.???
We also had the greenhand with us today. He is still looking at having a herd of his own someday, so we invited him to work through a herd health with us. It was quite an eye-opening experience for him! There is so much more to milking cows . . . than milking cows! Keeping on top of vaccination schedules, breeding cycles, calf care, proper nutrition, the list goes on and on. But when all of your hard work comes together, and cows are safe with calf, you get a sense of satisfaction of a job well done. Of the 10 cows that we had pregnancy checked, 9 were safe with calf. When your income is derived from producing milk, having a cow breed back is so important. When they calve (freshen), they go on a slow curve up, then gradually down in the amount of milk that they produce. After several months, if she is not bred back, you have a cow that is not producing enough milk to cover the cost of feed and you have to make a hard decision on whether to keep or replace her. We try very hard to not only feed and care for our cows. Having to let one go is a very hard decision because they all become family in one way or another. So when we have a successful herd health, it is reason to celebrate! We have been running an 80% heifer calf ratio for the last 4 years. For every 10 calves born, 8 have been heifers. I hope that we can keep that up - and keep raising the feed to feed that many! It is so satisfying to see many of these girls coming into the barn and beginning their many long years of being part of the herd. We have two right now that are ready to calve and boy do they ever look nice. Can't wait!
We also had the greenhand with us today. He is still looking at having a herd of his own someday, so we invited him to work through a herd health with us. It was quite an eye-opening experience for him! There is so much more to milking cows . . . than milking cows! Keeping on top of vaccination schedules, breeding cycles, calf care, proper nutrition, the list goes on and on. But when all of your hard work comes together, and cows are safe with calf, you get a sense of satisfaction of a job well done. Of the 10 cows that we had pregnancy checked, 9 were safe with calf. When your income is derived from producing milk, having a cow breed back is so important. When they calve (freshen), they go on a slow curve up, then gradually down in the amount of milk that they produce. After several months, if she is not bred back, you have a cow that is not producing enough milk to cover the cost of feed and you have to make a hard decision on whether to keep or replace her. We try very hard to not only feed and care for our cows. Having to let one go is a very hard decision because they all become family in one way or another. So when we have a successful herd health, it is reason to celebrate! We have been running an 80% heifer calf ratio for the last 4 years. For every 10 calves born, 8 have been heifers. I hope that we can keep that up - and keep raising the feed to feed that many! It is so satisfying to see many of these girls coming into the barn and beginning their many long years of being part of the herd. We have two right now that are ready to calve and boy do they ever look nice. Can't wait!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Herd Health Today
One of the tasks that occurs monthly on our farm is herd health. We look forward to this day because it is something like a monthly report card on how our herd is progressing and what needs to be done to keep the herd healthy and on track. A quick review of our breeding records tells me which cows need to be pregnancy checked, who needs shots, and who may need a hoof or other ailment looked at while the veterinarian is on the farm. Although these visits can get quite expensive, being pro-active about health issues with our cattle puts us dollars ahead when compared with the cost of an emergency. Hmmmm, I wonder what we as a society could learn from that . . .?
Well, anyway, back to the herd health. Having a good vet/client relationship is very beneficial in many ways because your vet not only provides valuable information as to medicines, feed, and overall performance, but he/she gets to know your cows and your management style. Having another set of eyes see your operation atleast monthly really helps to bring things to the forefront versus being here everyday and becoming "barn blind" to things that you see daily, but are so busy that they often get overlooked. Sometimes those "hard" conversations have to take place to spur you on to making changes that not only benefit you but your cows also.
Sometime, I would encourage you to visit a farm. If you know someone who farms, or if you pass one on the road that looks appealing to you, stop in. If they're busy at the moment, schedule a time to come out and see what they do for an hour or two. Most farmers welcome the opportunity to share with you the aspects that go into growing and producing the food that appears on your table everyday. Compared to some of the shocking things we see on TV that portrays farm situations that are offensive, the vast majority of farms take pride in what they do and are quite willing to share their story.
We are.
Well, anyway, back to the herd health. Having a good vet/client relationship is very beneficial in many ways because your vet not only provides valuable information as to medicines, feed, and overall performance, but he/she gets to know your cows and your management style. Having another set of eyes see your operation atleast monthly really helps to bring things to the forefront versus being here everyday and becoming "barn blind" to things that you see daily, but are so busy that they often get overlooked. Sometimes those "hard" conversations have to take place to spur you on to making changes that not only benefit you but your cows also.
Sometime, I would encourage you to visit a farm. If you know someone who farms, or if you pass one on the road that looks appealing to you, stop in. If they're busy at the moment, schedule a time to come out and see what they do for an hour or two. Most farmers welcome the opportunity to share with you the aspects that go into growing and producing the food that appears on your table everyday. Compared to some of the shocking things we see on TV that portrays farm situations that are offensive, the vast majority of farms take pride in what they do and are quite willing to share their story.
We are.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
I Hope this is the last Cold Day!
Thirty-eight above . . . to twelve below. What's going on here?
Boy, by the first of March, one can really get yearning for warmer weather. The warmer days have teased us with melting snow and sunny days, but now the subzero wind is blowing again, ushering in another round of bitter cold. The horses sure were glad to be brought in tonight. Their stalls were freshly bedded and they were happily munching on big green mouthfuls of hay as I closed the door and said goodnight. I know I'll be dreaming of long peaceful rides down the gravel road as the warmer days approach. But, somehow, I think they'll have things like green grass and lazy breezy days on their minds as they drift off to sleep tonight!
There are two cows in the barn that are just ready to pop with calves. They are so uncomfortable! We'll have to make a couple of trips down to the barn to check on them later just to make sure everything's going OK. We have to watch them very close. Especially this time of year, a cow that's off feed or down can be so discouraging. I keep whispering to them that spring is so very very close. Just hang on a little longer!! Green grass isn't that far away! It is so neat to walk out in into the calf barn, though, when there's a nip in the air, especially right after they've been fed. Shake a little bit of clean bright straw over their heads and boy do they ever buck and bounce around. It's so neat to see these cuties so full of life and energy. I just wish they could lend me some!
Boy, by the first of March, one can really get yearning for warmer weather. The warmer days have teased us with melting snow and sunny days, but now the subzero wind is blowing again, ushering in another round of bitter cold. The horses sure were glad to be brought in tonight. Their stalls were freshly bedded and they were happily munching on big green mouthfuls of hay as I closed the door and said goodnight. I know I'll be dreaming of long peaceful rides down the gravel road as the warmer days approach. But, somehow, I think they'll have things like green grass and lazy breezy days on their minds as they drift off to sleep tonight!
There are two cows in the barn that are just ready to pop with calves. They are so uncomfortable! We'll have to make a couple of trips down to the barn to check on them later just to make sure everything's going OK. We have to watch them very close. Especially this time of year, a cow that's off feed or down can be so discouraging. I keep whispering to them that spring is so very very close. Just hang on a little longer!! Green grass isn't that far away! It is so neat to walk out in into the calf barn, though, when there's a nip in the air, especially right after they've been fed. Shake a little bit of clean bright straw over their heads and boy do they ever buck and bounce around. It's so neat to see these cuties so full of life and energy. I just wish they could lend me some!
Sunday, February 27, 2011
She's Gone
How is it that in no time at all, your life changes in a split second.
When checking my cell after church - I finally remembered to put it on silence this time - I found that there were four new messages. That couldn't be good. The last message was barely discernable, but after giving a good listen, I could tell that Farmer Rick was quite distressed. The first thing that goes through your mind is that he was injured and needed help. Thank God we had given him a cell phone, I thought. But when going over the message, I quickly found that he was calling about our new puppy. Sandy. She was gone.
To back up a step or two, we bought Sandy right before deer season last November. What a joy! The attachment that had developed between Farmer Rick and Sandy was quite evident. Even though I did most of her training, you could tell that she was "dad's dog". Her preferred spot on the hay bale while waiting for a milker change was always next to Farmer Rick. Which was really what I had hoped for in the first place. I had hoped that she would keep him company and provide companionship on the days that I had to work. And that she did. Even when I'd ride in the woods with the other dogs, she preferred to stay back by the house or barn if her buddy wasn't coming.
Well, today, after cleaning barn, Farmer Rick took the load of manure out to the field like he always does. When returning, Sandy was waiting for him in the yard and came running across the arena to meet him in the driveway as he pulled in with the tractor and spreader. You know how accidents happen, all so quickly, but yet in slow motion. As Farmer Rick hit the brakes, Sandy hit a patch of ice and slid under the spreader tire. Farmer Rick quickly gathered her up in his arms and carried her up to the house. He laid her on a blanket in the kitchen and went out to put the tractor away. When he returned to the house, he collapsed on the floor right inside the door. He knew Sandy wasn't going to make it. She wimpered and drug herself over to him and laid in his lap as she drew her last breaths. It just broke his heart.
To all who have lost a beloved animal, farm or no farm, no words can describe the loss of an animal that pefectly displays unconditional love. We have so much to learn from them.
It's getting hard to write, too many tears on the keyboard. Maybe tomorrow morning after chores, or the next day or two I'll again feel like writing . . .
When checking my cell after church - I finally remembered to put it on silence this time - I found that there were four new messages. That couldn't be good. The last message was barely discernable, but after giving a good listen, I could tell that Farmer Rick was quite distressed. The first thing that goes through your mind is that he was injured and needed help. Thank God we had given him a cell phone, I thought. But when going over the message, I quickly found that he was calling about our new puppy. Sandy. She was gone.
To back up a step or two, we bought Sandy right before deer season last November. What a joy! The attachment that had developed between Farmer Rick and Sandy was quite evident. Even though I did most of her training, you could tell that she was "dad's dog". Her preferred spot on the hay bale while waiting for a milker change was always next to Farmer Rick. Which was really what I had hoped for in the first place. I had hoped that she would keep him company and provide companionship on the days that I had to work. And that she did. Even when I'd ride in the woods with the other dogs, she preferred to stay back by the house or barn if her buddy wasn't coming.
Well, today, after cleaning barn, Farmer Rick took the load of manure out to the field like he always does. When returning, Sandy was waiting for him in the yard and came running across the arena to meet him in the driveway as he pulled in with the tractor and spreader. You know how accidents happen, all so quickly, but yet in slow motion. As Farmer Rick hit the brakes, Sandy hit a patch of ice and slid under the spreader tire. Farmer Rick quickly gathered her up in his arms and carried her up to the house. He laid her on a blanket in the kitchen and went out to put the tractor away. When he returned to the house, he collapsed on the floor right inside the door. He knew Sandy wasn't going to make it. She wimpered and drug herself over to him and laid in his lap as she drew her last breaths. It just broke his heart.
To all who have lost a beloved animal, farm or no farm, no words can describe the loss of an animal that pefectly displays unconditional love. We have so much to learn from them.
It's getting hard to write, too many tears on the keyboard. Maybe tomorrow morning after chores, or the next day or two I'll again feel like writing . . .
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