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It isn't very often that I have a Saturday at home with no plans or deadlines. This weekend, Daniel and the boys were off on a "boys trip" and I was home alone...which I always enjoy. The cooler fall temperatures have finally arrived and I had to drag out a jacket to head to the barn for morning chores. It was such a cool, clear perfectly peaceful fall morning. I finished chores and then grabbed my camera.  It amused me that the calves aren't much different than my teens. Any time they can congregate together away from the watchful eyes of adults, they do.
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Over the years, we have spent a lot of quality time together in the truck. We have logged miles and miles and miles travelling to and from cattle shows. This weekend, Daniel and I left the boys at home (the advantages of having a teenage driver) and made an impromptu trip to Virginia. No, it wasn't a romantic getaway... We had cows to deliver.  As much as I like the destinations...I absolutely love the trip.
Some of our best memories are made in the cab of the truck. We live within about 10 miles of four different school districts, but my kids don't attend any of those school districts. Several weeks ago, a parent from one of those school districts called to ask us if we would be willing to participate in a fundraiser for their music boosters. They wanted to do cow pie bingo and needed a field and a cow to use and someone had mentioned our names. Our kids may not attend this school district, but that just means we can help out all the school districts without having to worry about the school rivalries.  We were more than happy to help the Centerburg Music Boosters raise some money.
It is exciting to sell cows. Sometimes it takes years to get that sale. Whether it is because it has taken years to build your herd to the point where you have enough to sell, or if it is waiting on that cow to have her heifer. The cattle industry isn't something that creates overnight success. It is a long, hard process. So, when you do finally get that sale, it is really exciting. Plus, your bank account is usually looking pretty grim by this point.  However, just because you have a check in hand and the cow has been loaded on the trailer doesn't mean your work is done.
It's Fall and that means just about every day there is a cattle sale. Spring calves are weaned and everyone is looking ahead to the next show season. In a sea of cattle farms and sales, what is the best way to sell your cows?  Online sales, live auctions, on-farm sales, Facebook (if they don't delete your post), Craig's list, your own website...how do you get the sale?
September.... I am not sure how we got here. The temperatures are cooling off and we are constantly reminded that winter is just around the corner. My brain is still saying it is summer...and there is so much left to do before I will admit that fall is here.  Last year's calf is gearing up for the final show of her career....
If you read the post last week, you are well aware that we are having some feeding issues. We have a cow with an ulcer that is being aggravated by several things...but one being too much feed.  As we talked with the vet and established a plan to get Angel turned around, it quickly became apparent that we needed to make major changes to our feeding plan.
Did you know that cows can get ulcers? I didn't either...until one of our cows had one.  You may remember how sick Angel was on our trip to Oklahoma for Junior Nationals. It wasn't until we arrived home and our vet examined her that we learned she had a bleeding ulcer.
For every minute in the show ring, there are hours and hours spent back in the barn. Two fairs...lots and lots of barn time.  I think every show box is equipped with at least one deck of cards.
'We ended the summer show season with a few days at the Ohio State Fair. If it feels like you have read this post before...I kind of feel like I have written this before. As the years go on, we do the same things over and over. It should make things easier...right? Well, I don't know if our July's will ever be easy, but maybe we just don't have to think as hard and can rely on the auto pilot a little more. Heading into the Ohio State Fair, I just didn't feel very prepared. Planning for the show was pretty last minute, because the time just wasn't there. Over the years, we have kept detailed notes, so it really is easier...but it felt a little bit too easy...so I was sure I was forgetting something. Well thankfully, I didn't forget anything... at least that I know of.  Coming off of the county fair, we always have to will ourselves to the state fair. We are usually just too tired to really care.
Once we arrived, it didn't take us long to get into the spirit of things. |
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AuthorHello! I am Heather... the city girl turned mom to manure loving country boys. My husband and I both grew up in the city, but spent weekends visiting grandparents in the country. We are first generation farmers who learn best by almost always doing things the hard way. I hope you enjoy following along with our adventures down on the farm. Archives
August 2019
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