Day off school

Well, the kids have a day off school so it means get as much done at the farm as possible.  We had our monthly vet check today (We skipped December so it was catch up) and it was jammed packed!!  We had 150 cows to check, we only milk 220 so it was a long morning.  Once we bundled up, sideways rain and blowing wind, it turned out to be a good day.  The cows look nice and we had plenty of confirmed pregnant cows to keep me very busy for the next 6 months!! 
As soon as we finished vet check, Lonny and I dried off 32 cows.  We moved 32 cows from 2nd string to the dry cows where they will be until they calve in 2-3 months.  All my heifers were a little startled when 32 new friends joined them.  As soon as we finished drying off the cows (3 separate vaccines), we moved cows to 2nd string.  We had exactly 32 cows over 120 in milk that needed to be moved to 2nd string.  Whew.
It was a very long morning and I was ready for a nice hot lunch at 100 p.m.  Thank goodness we do not have many days like this.  I am ready for bed before night chores!!

Phosphorus and Milk

Phosphorus helps strengthen bones and generate energy in the body's cells.  Milk is an excellent source of phosphorus, providing 20% of the Daily Value.

Friday....

It is the end of a long week and time to get ready for snow?  We are still trying to fix things from the freeze.  Our local weather guy is forecasting snow for next week, hopefully he will be off like usual.  Our milk tester is here and several cows are giving no milk.  It is definitely time to dry cows off.  Skipping Vet Check in December really threw us off, we will get back on track this month.  It is time to get ready for our meeting in Arizona.

Milk and Protein Content

Did you know an 8-ounce glass of milk provides about 16% of the daily value for protein!!  The protein in milk is high quality, which means it contains all of the essential amino acids in the proportions that the body requires for good health.  Protein builds and repairs muscle tissue and serves as a source of energy during high-powered endurance exercise.

Back to school!!

It was back to school for the kids today!!  Now Lonny and I have time to get back to normal around the farm.  I guess back to normal and 24 degrees.  Everything is still frozen so it is thaw out in the morning, do chores then thaw out in the evening, do chores.  At least the ground is frozen so it allows Lonny and Tony to clean out the heifer barns and spread the manure.  So I guess there is an up side to freezing cold weather.
Cassy had her Brownie Meeting tonight and Zach had basketball.  Although it meant 4 trips to town I am so happy the kids can be involved with activities other than the farm.  The forecast says rain by midweek, at least we can thaw out a little.

Transition to Organic

In 2007, the decision was made to transition to milk the cows organically.  Dairy farms in Southwest Washington have been leaving for various reasons and Tony believed in order for this farm to stay successful in this area it needed transition to organic.  It has been quite a journey.  After the first summer of milking organically, the farm suffered a devastating flood in December 2007.  It was after this flood that things made another transition on the farm.

Lonny continued to manage the cows, but his wife Michelle began to take care of the calves.  Sunny continues to do all the books and Tony fixes equipment, takes care of heifers, and serves on the WODPA Board.  Lonny and Michelle have 3 children, Zach (11), Cassy Jo (8), and Joey (6), all of them help out at the barn after school and during the summer.  Zach has completed his 2nd year of 4H so traveling to fairs is his favorite thing to do in the summer.  Cassy and Joey have started showing in Open Class so they are ready for 4H!!

Milk's nutrient content

Did you know an 8 ounce serving of milk provides 30% of the Daily Value of calcium?  Calcium helps build and maintain strong bones and teeth.  This mineral also plays an important role in nerve function, muscle contraction, and blood clotting.  Many many children do not get enough calcium in their daily diets.  So, drink milk!!