January 2017 On the Farm

Happy Moo Year!!!

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They think the milk is just for them...
Haha

January 17 - We had time to get e brush installed today.
The ladies weren't too sure about it at first...

January 19 - We reached 200 "Likes" on the Facebook page!!!
Charlie wanted to tell everyone thank-you!

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January 20

Inauguration Day - President Donald Trump!!!

How awesome is this!!! For (I think) the first time ever, tractors and American agriculture were a part of the inaugural parade! <3 Go Ag! #FarmsMatter

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This is the "just brushed" look...it's all the rage in the barn these days

Missy climbs the gate to get up over the robot room to go hunting

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January 26 - Today was preg-check day!

Once a month we have our vet come and check a list of cows that have been bred to see if the pregnancy took. He uses a special wand ultrasound that goes in the rectum. He then looks for a calf in the monitor he has on his head.

It's important to keep track of pregnancies on a farm. On our dairy (like most farms) mommas are given at least 2 months maternity leave before their due date - cows have a 9-month gestation.

We dry them off (hence the name "dry cow") and put them in a separate group for some R&R before calving.

All snuggly in the calves' bedding

My little shadows - Pia and Bubba

December 2016 On the Farm

Our Home

December 9 - Holly was born yesterday afternoon and spent the night with her momma.
We moved her to the nursery this morning, put a warm blanket on her, and gave her a clean dry bed.
Holly apparently did not eat much off mum as she is currently in a milk coma after downing almost two bottles (4 quarts) of colostrum!

The many faces of Sprinkles

Follow me on Snapchat!
I don't post a lot or even every day, but I try haha

December 11 - When the carpenters are inside the robot box installing freezer strips and the computer freaks out trying to identify the "cow"... haha

Lazy kittens laying in front of the heater...
That one in the middle cracks me up!

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December 16

8 a.m. - Please keep our community in prayer; especially the men and women working hard to get the break fixed at our water plant.

It is in the negative numbers this morning.

As of 4 p.m. - we're out of water.

5 p.m. -  We're out of water. Most of the town has been out since last night/this morning. Huge disastrous break at the plant. :(

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The forecast is no water until noon tomorrow at the earliest.

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That's a long time when there's cows and calves involved... :/

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At least it's warmed up a little...it's actually above zero.

Update (9 p.m.): the break is fixed and water is being pumped!

There are 3 towns and lots of tanks and pipe that have to be filled, however, so it's still going to be a while before there is water everywhere.

Update Saturday, December 17 (8 a.m.) - We have water! And a snow storm!

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Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

You know you're a farmHer when the animals come first, even on Christmas.

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Until next year . . .

November 2016 On the Farm

November 2 - Finished harvesting soybeans last week - today we're roasting them!
They smell so good!

November 5 - Brownie & her 2-hour-old baby!

Bubba says hi

This is Angel.
She had her first calf on October 25 and she makes almost 7 gallons of milk per day!
She's a very curious little thing & likes to watch whatever is happening around the barn.

November 10 - started chopping corn today

Local is good, but I need my chocolate! 😜  💜

We have some pretty spoiled barn cats...
They get their dishes of milk right in front of the heater.

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November 20 -  Yesterday was a warm 56...how quickly the weather can change!

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Phantom the kitten is getting braver! She/he will come in for food when we're nearby now.

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Happy Thanksgiving to you & yours!

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When you're 6 & it's cold you get carried around by your two cousins while exploring the neighbor's new barn.