Lifelong Lessons From...Cows!!

Grandma: "This article made me think of you"

I couldn't have said it better myself, Grandma. I was going to share an article from PR Daily about things to know when you start your career, until Grandma found this in The Land titled "Everything I need to know, I learned from watching cattle." The paragraphs below are ideas and excerpts from the article. I take no credit for them but wanted to share. 

"Come into the world with a bang"

If you've ever helped a calf be born, you know what it is to do that job while the mother is standing up!  Her calf comes plopping to the ground, shakes his/her head, looks around and starts the adventure of life. Step into your world, make yourself known to those around you and leave your mark on the world.

"Stand on your feet as soon as you can, and look around."

It's amazing to see animals born. They come into the world much like we do, and are standing on their own four feet within minutes of their birth, wondering at the new world around them. Stand up in this world as soon as you can, carry your share of the load, and always be aware of what's around you. You never know where that cow path is going to lead you.

"Beller until someone gives you what you need."

You always know when something's up with the cows. Remember that the squeaky wheel gets the grease--while tempering that with the notion that sometimes the squeaky wheel gets removed, also.

"Chew on things awhile first."

Cows have 4 stomaches. They chew and swallow and regurgitate it. We call this chewing their cud. They do this 8 hours a day for about 30,000 chews/day!!

"Use your tail to swat the annoying things away."

We need to learn to rid ourselves of those people and things that bring us down. Swat them away and move on!

"Stay with the herd."

Cows know it--we should too. There is strength in numbers. If you've ever tried to move cows you know that you need to keep them together. When one strays, you lose them all. They stick together no matter what. Not like the move "Mean Girls."

"Adapt to your environment."

As long as your essentials are taken care of, the cows are relaxed and grateful. Even though it takes a lot of work on our part to make sure that happens daily, the cows are happy with water, food and a place to lay down. Take a lesson from their humble attitude. Home is whatever and wherever you make it.

"Keep your backside to the wind."

When the world turns colder, cows know to stand together and against the wind. When your world turns cold, turn your back to it so it doesn't blow out the flame from your spirit; keep on walking, and stick with those whom you know will be there with you always!

Visit The Land to read this and other great articles. This particle article is written by Karen Schwaller, Table Talk. 

Just Another Day in Paradise

Finally! We have all of our crops in...well we still need to cut hay, but corn is in and soybeans are in!

Talk about a huge relief. 

However, it was no easy feat...

You know how you dislike the rain driving into work? Ya, farmers hate this much of it too. 

Saturday was spent cleaning up our field that is at the end of the Cannon River. If you know where the Welch Ski Village is, our field is at the bottom. Needless to say it has flooded 4 times in the last 2 years. So, Saturday I was down helping Dad pick up the last of the junk that floated into our field. Luckily they had already cleared out the full size trees last week..with a log chain! 

On the bright side, the flood brought so much sand in I could go barefoot. On the downside, sand is really bad to grow crops in and I ended up getting something in my foot (I think I might soon have to visit the doc, duck tape didn't fix this one, and I did try!)

While we were picking up tree branches (these are not stick size hunks of wood!)..my cousin was tilling and smoothing out the clean areas. As you can see...it didn't go very well to begin with. He learned pretty quick to stay away from the edges...Luckily after ONLY about 4 attempts of backing up and pulling, shortening the chain and repeating, we got him out! 

We finished picking up branches and sandals and picnic tables...ya floods do a lot of damage..he finished digging, then our other neighbor came and planted soybeans. And ya know what? It rained that night and hasn't quit since! We got it all done just in time. 

My favorite part of the whole day (besides walking around barefoot like I was 5) neighbors kept stopping by to ask for favors and see how it was coming. They would help us pick up a few things and then be on their way after a short visit. That's what I love about growing up in this lifestyle. We were on a mission that day to get all of it done. Working as fast and hard as we could. Efficiency was our middle name. But, that didn't stop us from enjoying the time spent together and catching up on our neighbor's lives, asking how their elderly parents are or whatever else it may be. Just another reminder to enjoy every moment in life, and you will never work a day in your life. 

Boy Oh Boy!

Yesterday was my only day off all week from work, and by that I mean the work that requires showering and putting on clean clothes to go into town.

Lucky me, we had a nice little surprise during morning chores, but not without a little scare!

When my uncle came up in the morning around 6a.m. he said Lace-it (a cow) was calving. Now, when I find out a cow is calving I get both really excited, but I also realize how much more work that means, and it wasn't exactly nice weather outside. After I finished milking, around 7a.m, I went out to the pasture to check on Lace-it. She was standing by herself in the far corner, looking a little uncomfortable. Then again, I guess if I had a 100lb calf coming out of my body I wouldn't be in the best mood either. 

Anyhow....

Usually we can tell a cow is starting to give birth because she is off laying by herself. Remember how I said this cow was standing? Not a great sign. We want them to lay down when they calve. Even though I wasn't within 20 yards of her I left to see if she would get comfortable and lay down because I could see the feet of the calf. I came back after about 10 min and she still wasn't laying down and the feet were still hanging out. 

Yes, I got nervous. Who knows how long the feet were already out right? What if the calf was backwards I kept thinking? Lace-it looked like she might be having trouble calving (something you pick up on after you've done this once or twice.) So, I walked her up towards the barn thinking we were maybe going to have to help her give birth. I got her up there and my uncle decided to wait it out a bit longer....Needless to say I was chomping at the bit to get this calf out of her! 

I waited....

and waited...

She laid down. Got up. Laid down. Got up. Laid down. Got up. 

Finally I came back at about 8:30 and I found this little guy

They Grow Up So Fast!

Sorry for the delay in posts, and specifically this one!

Last week we moved calves on the farm. This usually occurs a couple times a year, Spring and Fall, and depending on weather, in the Winter also. 

So, here is what happens:

The babies get weaned off of bottles at about 6-8 weeks old (you think your kids grow up fast, my baby calves grow up even faster!) Until that point, and usually a few weeks after (we don't want to make too many changes at once to keep stress levels low), they'll stay in these huts:

They are incredibly warm in the winter and during the summer we take extra precautions to keep the calves cool. All that straw is only from half of the winter!

Last week, before we could move the calves in, I had to fence and get the water and feeder ready. Fencing means to go around the pasture fence and make sure nothing fell on it or knocked it down over the winter. Then I set up the water. This required me to make sure the little babies would be able to reach it. That is why it is on a slant.

I think pictures can describe the story of the two hour process better, oh and a super cool video narrated by yours truly!

My brother, Zach. 

Everyone is having a good time with the calves!

We lead them to water so that they know where it is.

Hmmm...where to go first?!

They all learned where the water is! Must be thirsty after running around!

This one is for the farmers!

Yes, this weather just plain sucks! I'm sure your thinking the same thing, but for a different reason.

I love spring, hearing the birds chirp, watching green grass grow and working outside (in sunshine and decent temperatures!) Oh, I also love the long days :)  

I always think its funny when the urban population complains about the nasty weather and 17" of snow in May. Okay, I know it sucks for you too, and you'd much rather be outside enjoying nice sunshine and green grass. I'm sure your drive to work is also no fun, probably not real safe either. That is one thing I am grateful I do not have to do every day!

However, for farmers, this snow makes a ton of extra work! So please, if you the worst thing you have to endure during this icky Spring is one or two lousy commutes, don't complain. Actually I shouldn't say that. The snow in general is not so bad. Neither is pushing it. We are pretty lucky we have tractors to push it around! But...that still doesn't eliminate shoveling away from all the doors (and there are many places the tractor can't get to), the melting snow that turns to mud, the extra bedding needed to keep the animals dry and the soaking wet clothes that won't even dry over night. 

The worst part though? 

1.) Many farmer's hay fields are dead. This is a huge problem because hay is a large portion of the cows diet. Meaning, many farmers won't have enough feed their cows. (More questions about this? Message me.) 

2.) They are out of bedding. We baled extra straw and cornstalks last year and we are still almost out! We can't very well just let the calves get wet and dirty, especially if the temperature drops. But when we are out of bedding what are we supposed to do? This is why farmers are the most creative people I've ever met. 

On the bright side:

1.) We aren't as bad off as many farmers. Especially ones that encountered the drought last year and are already short on many supplies (hay/straw.)

2.) The snow is better than rain. Hopefully it will soak into the ground and not just create mud like rain would do instantly. 

3.) During the Depression they had to cut trees down for the cattle to eat. It isn't this bad yet! :)

Thank you farmers for being creative and finding solutions even when it continues to poor! The animals depend on you and so does everyone that eats!!!

That One Person

My Grandma

She is not only the best grandma around, but also an amazing person.

Her name is Pauline. I was lucky enough to be given it as my middle name. She will be 91 in August. I live about 20 steps from her front door.

My grandma gives everyday her biggest smile and whole heart.

She goes to bed early and rises when the sun does, like a true farmer's wife I suppose.

Breakfast is on the table when my dad, uncle and I come in after chores, all made from scratch; pancakes, eggs, bacon, oatmeal, blueberry muffins. Cooking has always been her joy in life, luckily eating has always been mine! :) Her chocolate cake is my favorite. I didn't even know pancakes and cakes were made out of a box until I was 12! She doesn't make lunch much anymore, but she's 90, we tell her she can do whatever she wants.

My grandma never says anything bad about anyone and always turns to God for advice.

My grandma tells me it can always be worse, no matter how bad it gets. She is a constant reminder of great of a life I have. 

My grandma is my entire life. Her silly laugh and smart a** comments can make a smile break out onto my face in one giggle. 

My grandma sends cards nearly everyday, usually with words of wisdom, never just a generic signature. 

My grandma never forgets a birthday or to ask how you are doing. The only time you'll see her look sad is if you don't eat any of her cookies, cake, or pancakes.

If I can grow up to have her heart, faith, wrinkles and positive attitude my life will be complete. She raised 5 kids and many grandchildren all while keeping house and helping on the farm. 

I hope those are the reasons wrinkles begin to form and my hair turns grey. 

Me: Grandma I don't need another cake (after I finished a whole cake in less than 24 hours and she offered to make another). Three cups of sugar is not good for my health.

Grandma: Oh Amanda! It's only two cups of sugar!

Grandma: Well I figured I better make a chocolate cake incase the power goes out. We are gonna need something inside the house to make us smile with all this weather!

Follow your heart

For the Love of _______

Cows. Farming. Challenges. Family. 

This week has been...to put it lightly....terrible. Our entire barn of cows has been sick. 

They have dropped in milk, some stopped eating, most have diarrhea. Let me tell you, it is not fun to milk cows that aren't milking and don't feel good. I would rather be sick and still care for them rather than have them sick.

Because of that, I figured something out this week. I absolutely love this "game" (pick your own word, but I feel like farming is a game, just when you think your getting ahead, you lose a turn!) I get paid for working on my farm, but its not based off of performance of the animals, or hourly. I just get a stipend. 

What does this have to do with anything?

I still want the cows to get better, I have stayed late in the barn every morning and night this week taking care of the sick cows. Doubling checking there aren't cows that have gone unnoticed. 

I don't get paid extra for staying outside. 

I don't get a bonus when they begin to get better. 

I simply get the satisfaction of caring for healthy cows. 

I get to enjoy milking cows. 

I get to spend time with my family not stressing about what we did wrong or how to fix it. (By the way, this wasn't anything we could have prevented; simply a virus that spreads, similar to the stomach flu. And I guess I should be honest, there will always be something I want to fix and improve :)

So, for anyone who thinks farmers are in it for the money or don't care for their animals, stop thinking, it's obviously not something your good at. If we were, our cows would have been gone on Tuesday. We care for them 24/7 (especially in silly weather like this!!) I'm more likely to call our vet than I am to go to the doctor myself. 

If you ever have questions about why something is done on a farm, something you've heard, or something you've seen, please ask! If I don't know the answer I'll find it for you, just don't assume. 

Here's to hoping the girls feel better next week! Have a good weekend folks :)

Me and Pa giving my calf a bath on a hot summer day. Yes, I am in a dress. Dedication at its finest!