Today was one of those days where you want rain to come, but it’s also dreaded hail season. So in these times the only thing you can do is say a prayer and hope for the best.
Dear Lord Baby Jesus keep the tiny crops safe tonight during the storms, Amen!
Farming isn’t just about spending time in the planter and the combine in the fall and spring. All the days in between are spent making sure conditions are ideal for growing a successful crop; including applicating herbicide to make sure those pesky weeds don’t take over the fields.
The ladies and the babies are all out to pasture, and they are making themselves right at home. It’s pretty satisfying to see the sun setting over the pasture while the cows graze in the open space. Summer is pretty excited about this change of pace, cows in the pasture mean more walks and ranger rides for her. Anyone who says a free-range farm dog isn’t as happy as a house dog has never met our Summer. Just look at her smiling with pride as she watches the cows, farm living is the life for her. 🙂
Tonight another rain decided to come our way, so still no tractors in the field. However, we took advantage of the rain and put fertilizer on the pasture. Let’s just hope the sun starts to shine soon so we can get seeds in the ground!
This little, spotted cutie arrived on 4-20, and I was so very excited to finally have a calf with some personality in her markings. However, what we didn’t know was that she would immediately become a magic escape artist, finding every way possible to escape and go find a place to lay down on the pasture lane. Hog paneling finally kept her contained and she gained the name, Jeannie (AKA: Baby Jean). Inspired by “I Dream of Jeannie” – because for a while it seemed she magically appeared and disappeared to wherever she wanted to go. At least her Mom was bellering loud enough to notify us of her mischevious behavior, so we could find her and return her to the patch.
Is this not the same face Simba makes in “The Lion King” when his Mom is cleaning him up? This little one is chock full of personality.
What do farmer’s do when they’re not planting or harvesting? Well, there’s a variety of things and one of those is cleanup. It seems like there’s always a never ending list of overgrown trees to clean up, fence to fix, old buildings to take out and CRP to burn. Since this year hasn’t been ideal for planting yet, things are getting done!
Cleaning up trees in the South Pasture.
I am SO excited to see this old chicken coop go – it was beyond repair. Building #5 down … and several more to go.
Burning CRP.
Calf number two has arrived, and signs of Spring are finally starting to show. The weather here has been gorgeous and I’m anxious for planting to start.
This year we have the cows at our place and get to experience calving for the first time (last year we had somebody custom calve for us). Jordan and I both have a little, as in very little experience with calving so you could call us nervous mothers this year. Reading and second guessing our every move. So when the first calf came around and I received a snapchat from Jordan saying “look what I found” I ran – sprinted first to grab my camera second to grab my boots. It was the muddiest, ugliest day of Spring and this little guy decided to come into the world. We’re a little late in the calving game, still working to get our ducks in a row and timing right for our mamas – so my guess is the rest of the calves will arrive when planting begins. But for now here’s one little guy to keep me company on the farm.
Don’t worry both mama and baby got moved into the comfort of the barn and away from the rain.
I love when my work for CVA collides with my favorite hobby. Got some much needed anhydrous photos last night. Prayers to everyone applying anhydrous – safety first. I give Jordan a lecture every time he leaves the house to apply NH3 but I don’t care accidents happen in the blink of an eye.
The fluffiest powder fell from the sky today, making our farm a winter wonderland. I felt bad for not helping with chores, but I couldn’t help but bring my camera with me for the beautiful snow. Also, I think our dog is one of the happiest dogs in the world, maybe I’m biased but look at her smile as she’s jumping off the bales! I was laughing all morning, her joy is contagious.
kellijophoto.com 