Upgrading In The Farm World

Well the busy season is here!

Winter went by quickly and I don't know if I was mentally or physically ready for spring, yet. I got a bit lazy this winter!

A few key notes of some things that have happened over the last several months:

-We had a dry, warm winter. We only got one significant snow and it came in March.
-We made a few new purchases and additions to the farm
-We are so thankful to still be able to do this life and our prayers go out to all the farmer's and ranchers that were affected by wildfires. We only had smoke come through and no fires close to us. It is amazing how many farmers and ranchers (and others) came together to help those in need. It is so tough to hear/see those losses.

Now back to planting time, we recently upgraded our tractor and purchased a much larger planter. It has 24 rows!! That is 24 rows being planted at one time. It is also central fill for the seed! My mind is blown! I am so use to the 12 rows and filling boxes! I am still wrapping my mind around this new equipment!

Times have changed so much from when I was kid and definitely from how my grandpa grew  up! My brothers new tractor is so fancy, you can call from your phone via Bluetooth from the cab of the tractor! Mind blown. I have a love/hate relationship with technology. I, personally, feel as though we (a society) rely too much on technology these days and have lost some of our very basic foundations. But that is another feeling for another day. I understand how important this new technology is that we utilize for many reasons.

-GPS and autosteer help us to use the whole field to the best we can. The more we can get planted and grown in a field the more crop that is produce. This means more food for you- the people. If it isn't a food products, it is something to help us. We have to feed millions of people just here in the United States. Without it we don't use every bit to produce the most we can for YOU. It's not for us or a profit, sure we need that to keep farming but really it is for YOU! People are so far from the farm these days they wouldn't even be able to produce the food they need to survive, that's why you have hard working farmers trying to produce the most for YOU. Some individuals need to realize that just a bit more.

-It doesn't matter if you are a GMO farmer, non-GMO farmer or an organic farmer. We all have the same goal. To help feed the world. We have to find new ways to keep feeding the ever growing world. Thankfully technology has evolved to help us do that. That is larger equipment producing more efficient time management and a greater amount of acres we can produce for... You guessed it... YOU!

-I guess what I am trying to tell you, even if you don't quite understand or even know what exactly a farmer does/is go find one, ask questions and do me a favor. Don't bash one over the other. Respect. Everyone. All farmers. You may have opinions about why I should be an organic farmer, but I have studies and research to show you why we plant GMOs and back them up. To each their own.

We got a much needed rain this past weekend. A blessing for our wheat and corn. That is my update for this month. 

Cheers! 

The Milkmaid 

April Showers Bring May Flowers- Or Grass We Hope!

Ah, April.

Such a pretty month one of my favorites really. Spring is showing up, the grass is green, trees are getting their leaves and the temperature (while it goes up and down and changes every 15 minutes it seems, it is Kansas you know?) is nicer than winters but cooler than summer. Ahh. Spring. My favorite time of the year.

Spring brings new life. New life is important to any farmer. Whether it is a new baby calf, horse, sheep, goat or pig-- you choose your fancy, or seeing your wheat green and growing, corn once it is planted sprout or whatever plant you raise in the ground ready to come up and produce. It is a time for many housewives or househusbands, single ladies and gents to get their gardens started and flowers planted and to start the mowing season. Ah Spring.

Many people do not understand why agriculturists like ourselves have to burn our pastures and fields. There are many benefits to doing this for our type of work. As for many ranchers and farmers it is to keep the nutrients needed to help our animals grow and to keep weed and tree problems low.

Here are a few good posts explaining pasture burning:

• From The Pioneer Woman: Why We Burn Our Pastures
• From Rain Cow Ranch: Why Would A Grass Farmer Burn Pasture?
• From Backyard Ranch: Pasture Burning

All of these blogs describe why pasture burning is a necessity for farming operations. I understand that many are concerned for the environment and general safety of the public. But I can assure you that we work with EPA and the regulations in agriculture every day and we obtain our burn permits with our local fire stations and counties to help better your food. Plain and simple. We have to do things to help produce enough food for all of us to eat and these are just some of the ways we can effectively do just that. Every year the amount of food needing produced raises and even if you are a vegan or vegetarian, someone still has to produce your food and a lot of it. So next time you are eating whatever it may be, please do not just criticize us for how we do it and how you believe it is wrong. Take some time to find a farmer/rancher ask them questions and get the real advice from the person working every day to grow that meal for you to consume.  Many of you would be surprised to find out the #truth behind what really goes and on and why we burn pastures or use certain chemicals (that never reach you or I) in order to produce enough wholesome great tasting food for both of us to enjoy.

We have been blessed with some rain showers already and we were lucky enough to have all of our corn in the ground for that rain as well. A few of the pastures that were burned in our area are already turning green and beautiful with new fresh lush grass- and I can't wait to watch ours join them and the corn to sprout!

Sorry for all those that have those nasty allergies-- I know you hate spring, but as for me-- I'm getting my camera out and loving this time. Happy Spring!



The Milkmaid 


(P.S.- This is all from the beginning of April-- sorry for the late upload!)

Farming is Dangerous-- And It Can Hurt.

The other night, I was going to write this but I just could not manage too. I had a horrible headache, felt dizzy, a little nauseated and just wanted to go to sleep. So I did.

Here is the real life of being a farmer. You get hurt. And it happens-- most days in some way.

Usually it is a small wound, no doctor needed and you either just ignore it or you give in to your wife/sister/daughter telling you to go inside, clean it up and bandage it. Thankfully, we have never had to many major injuries on our farm-- but there is a HUGE chance every day. I know there is a risk at every job but folks lets be honest-- I know way to many other farmers that can tell you about personal injuries or even death of a family member from working on the farm. Did you know that in 2012 there was 374 farmers/farm workers that died according to the CDC (link here). Many more injuries and accidents occur every day-- this is a serious deal.

(Here is a good article about farm accidents and how serious they are on Modern Farmer: Death on the Farm.)

Today, I am thankful that I am alive. I was very lucky to not get more seriously hurt the other night and that I walked away with just a slight concussion. I was opening the gates into the holding pen to let the cows in for the evening milking. I tapped a cow with the gate to get her to move out of the way so that I could hook it in front of the alley way-- well apparently she did NOT like that. She kicked the gate and before I knew it this heavy metal gate went straight to my head. Right above my temple. Thank the Good Lord that it did not hit any harder or any lower and I may not be here to write this blog or spend another day alive.

However, me being me, I did not go to the doctor, I iced it for a bit made sure it was not cut opened and after 15 minutes of so went back out (lucky me, my sister is a nurse and happened to be there when this happened so she checked it over) and did the whole milking and the milking the next morning before taking the night off. I still have a few minor headaches but it could be the weather. The moral of the story is-- in the matter of seconds everything could change and it is a dangerous world. I am thankful for being alive and that it was not worse. Be thankful-- for every one and every thing.

I had thought that from my morning milking that things would go ten times better that day. I had already slipped and fell, causing a huge bruise on my hip and then a cow kicked my hand up in the panel and cut it open in two places. Minor injuries to what would happen that night. Let's just say my new nickname on the farm is proving itself more and more. "Cow Boom" started because of my many small injuries and because I started a tractor on fire-- yeah that was a fun night! (no worries the tractor is fine and running still) here is too hoping nothing worse happens!

Be thankful my friends-- you never know what will happen tomorrow!



The Milkmaid 

Here is some pictures I took-- doesn't really do it
justice but still the best I could get!
And sorry for the faces-- I didn't exactly
feel the best.

Luckily for me-- it is just black and blue now
minus the headaches

Working Hard and Hardly Working- And counting our Blessings.

It seems as though there is always some new project going on at the farm. Whether it is fixing fence or equipment or building something to help something else. March was busy with many different activities. We had some fun, we gave back and we worked hard.

A few things that went on during good ol' March. We sprayed numerous fields, dealt with many sprayer issues (frustrating and annoying is all I have to say about that darn sprayer), moved some corn and built a few things. But we also took some time off and gave back to the community.

At the beginning of March, Josh sold his corn that we stored in the new bin on the farm, so we got to test out the unload system to empty the bin. The guys hauled several loads of corn to a local feedlot.

Inside of the bin with the sweep auger moving through the corn

Coming from the sweep auger into the other auger bottom

And finally into the semi trailer

I was so lucky to help sweep the last bit of corn into piles for the sweep auger to carry out for the last load. At least farm work has some health benefits of making you sweat and keep in shape!

We got a new sprayer, I have nothing nice to say about it. I don't like it. It makes me frustrated therefore I am not going to blog anymore about that darn thing!!! However, it did give Handyman a good excuse to get out his welder and make a stand for the shuttles so that it is easier to unload the shuttles and switch them in and out when needed.

AJ welding in our garage the new shuttle holder thing

The finished product holding shuttles

Handyman really likes welding and wants to teach me but  I always tell him, "It can wait" I will learn some day but I kind of have a motto when it comes to certain things. If I learn it and no one else is around then I have to do it and well if I don't know how to do it, I guess one of the guys has too! -- I will just stick to milking cows, managing cows and breeding cows-- that's more my thing!


Those were just a couple of the things going on during March on the farm. Off of the farm, we went to Oklahoma with hubs parents and we went Spoonbill fishing. It was my first time ever catching that big of a fish! It was a lot of fun and was well worth the trip down there! I was lucky enough (and it was on St. Patricks Day! Luck of the Irish!) to catch the first fish. It only weighed 29 pounds so I threw it back and kept trolling on. I caught the second fish and it was a beauty! I kept this big fish weighing in at 62 pounds! After that I just enjoyed riding on the boat watching hubs and my father in law fish. They had a lot of fun and the best catch of the day was my father in law got a whole whooping 5 pounder! Boy, was it cute!! Overall, it was a great trip and nice to take a small break from working for some fun.

AJ and I with our catches

My father in law with one of his fish

Lastly and one of the most important days of March came where we, as a family, donated $2500, to the St. Anthony's Family Shelter in Wichita. It was a true blessing. My grandfather had his name entered into a Monsanto Grant Program where they generously give a $2500 grant in different family farms name to a place the family chooses. He was selected for Sedgwick county and my grandparents chose to give the money to a family homeless shelter. It was a privilege to be there as they presented the check and we got to tour the facilities. We are so proud that we can help others in need and it is very important for our family to give back to the community.

This program helps many families in their time of need and get back on their feet after so many different situations. I encourage you to go to your local homeless shelter or any other organization- ask for a tour, volunteer or just give back in any way possible. It is truly life changing experience helping others in their time of need. I know one of my many goals for this year is to do more volunteer work and I can't wait to get started with another program that I found in Wichita.

Many blessings to you and your family, we hope your March was a great as ours!


The Milkmaid

Why see the glass half empty when it is half full?

Sometimes, you just have to admit when you are just having a plain bad week.

How my week really went…

People tend to focus on the negative points in life instead of the positives. I was that way two weeks ago and tend to be a bit pessimistic.  

See, my parents went on vacation leaving the farm to the rest of us and the dairy just to me.

My dad was nice enough to send me pictures while they
were gone.. in HAWAII! 

They were gone a total of 9 days. That is 18 milkings, 9 days of feeding and cleaning alone and 216 hours of 100+ cows/calves to watch. Along with my normal household chores, holiday baking to do and cooking for a very busy weekend that was coming up. To top it all off, SNOW.

Ugh. No thank you.

Well in that time I had all these NEGATIVE things happen.

1.      It was cold

2.      Cows acted up 8 out of 9 days

3.      Snow

4.      Bedding down the barn

5.      Dead calf

6.      Pulling a calf from heifer

7.      1 broke feeder

8.      1 broke milking unit

9.      Cow manure on my face, more times than I want to admit

10.   Losing a loader bucket pin

11.   Trying to unload feed from a dump truck

12.   Staying out late to make sure everything is taken of

13.   Cows kicking me

14.   Leading to multiple bruises

15.   Hitting my head on the milking system motor

16.   Strap on coveralls broke

17.   Not being able to sleep

18.   Backaches all week

19.  Barely any time at home

20.  COLD

The list could go on and on and drag on… if I wanted to pick apart all the little things. By day 4, I wanted to cry a little. Day 7, I wanted to quit and day 9 I was thankful. THANKFUL…. Say what?

Yes, thankful.

Well in that time, really, I had all these POSITIVE things happen.

1.      It was cold- not really I had 4 days of upper 50 and lower 60’s, who can complain about that for the middle of December.

2.      Cows acted up 8 out of 9 days- they were letting me know bad weather was coming. Such smart weather ladies. (Most the time better than the actual meteorologists!)

3.      Snow- it ended up snowing later with just a little ice, we needed the moisture.

4.      Bedding down the barn- the cows need a nice warm place to lay down and they come first, plus they were out of the barn so it made it go faster and easier

5.      Dead calf- while it is never easy to lose a calf, the cow is healthy and alive 

6.      Pulling a calf from heifer- we saved the calf’s life and the cow is still alive also, we could have lost both

7.      1 broke feeder – my grandpa and brother were there to help fix it

8.      1 broke milking unit – we had a spare one and hubs came and fixed it, so I could keep milking

9.      Cow manure on my face, more times than I want to admit – it happens, part of life on the farm, easy to clean up and remember to keep extra paper towels in your pocket!

10.   Losing a loader bucket pin – ha, I really didn’t! I find out it was already missing!

11.   Trying to unload feed from a dump truck – We didn’t have to grind feed at all while my dad was gone, it was really a great thing and saved time.

12.   Staying out late to make sure everything is taken of – that is part of being a farmer. I was still able to get some sleep and wake up for another day.

13.   Cows kicking me- it is a part of the job. Not the first and last time I will ever be kicked. The cows were just warning me of the bad weather again.

14.   Leading to multiple bruises- I bruise easy, once again part of life.  

15.   Hitting my head on the milking system motor- I should probably watch what I am doing.

16.   Strap on coveralls broke- my dad made me a new clip and now no hanging strap. Thanks to baling wire.  Another thing on the farm- baling wire and duct tape fix everything!

17.   Not being able to sleep – part of life being a farmer- you can spend all night thinking of what needs to be done tomorrow or thanking of a cow, you are just watching out for your farm.

18.   Backaches all week- weather.

19.  Barely any time at home- part of working on a farm. I got to spend time with my sister, brother and husband working at the farm and I wouldn’t trade that for the world.

20.  COLD- I am just not a big fan of being cold, but I have sweatshirts, overalls, and heavy duty boots—really I was warmer than most.

I learned how my dad has felt working by himself for the last 33 years. I understand better how THANKFUL he was/is for having help from his parents and children. I learned how to work the calf puller while the cow is laying down from my brother. I learned how it really feels to be a full fledge dairy farmer, not just the milkmaid and helper.

I am THANKFUL for having my grandpa there to feed the calves every morning and night. I am THANKFUL that my brother helped me pull that calf from the heifer or else it could have been ten times worse. I am THANKFUL that my brother or hubs fed the cows their silage every day for me and helped unload the feed. I am THANKFUL after a late night of spreading straw around the barn and waking up late my brother washed the jars and set up the milk system for me. I am THANKFUL for being able to spend time working on our farm website and some new blogs. I am THANKFUL I got to spend an afternoon decorating for our family Christmas with my sister that I don’t get to see very often. I am THANKFUL for having my family there always to help and I am THANKFUL that my parents were able to take a trip of a life time.

Thankful.

One simple word that has more meaning than we take the time to appreciate.

Look past all the bad and negative and see the good and positives in our lives. Life is short, we need to be living it to our fullest trying to enjoy every moment. Not counting up all those negative things that happened during the week, but rather all the good that came from the week.

This next year, I am going to focus on just that.

The Milkmaid

Beautiful Snowy Sunrise