2015 Goals

One of the main reasons that we want to set a list of goals for the year is so that we can prioritize and budget the items that we feel are most important to the success of our farm.

We are not typically people who make lists of goals.  There really isn't a reason, we just don't usually do it.  This list is meant to motivate us and keep us from losing sight of what we really want to accomplish.  We always have grand plans, but the money usually runs out more quickly than the ideas.  

• New lighting in the barn - we have had outdoor halogen lights randomly placed for years.  They are old, inefficient and half of them are always burnt out.  You never think about lighting until you really need it.  Daniel would really like to add LED lights, but we shall see.  
• Add gate in barn for better ventilation - We have a large 12x12 door at the one end of the barn that is usually kept open so that the cows can come and go as they please.  When we need to use that portion of the barn for a stall, we have to close the big door.  By adding a gate at the door, we will be able to keep the big door open while still securing the stall area.  This will be especially helpful in the summer when we have the fans running.  If the big door is closed, the barn quickly turns into an oven.   Not good for growing hair!  

• Calve 7 healthy calves - we would love to have 7 heifers, but that is out of our control.
• Continue work to get cows on a spring calving schedule - I know that some people really like fall calving, but it just doesn't work as well for us.  It is also better to have spring calves to be more competitive in the show world.
• Repair bunk feeders in the barn - several years ago Daniel built bunk feeders in the barn stalls that he is very proud of.  We had a bull here for a few weeks several years ago that thought they were good for rubbing.  The bunk feeders paid the price.  
• Buy another mineral feeder - we love the mineral feeder that we have at home.  The cows know how to use it and the mineral is protected from the weather.  When we have cows over at Papa's house in the summer, we do not have a good way to protect the mineral from the weather.  Adding another mineral feeder would be much more efficient and cost effective in the long run.

• Add lime to the hay field - last year our hay yields were down considerably due to the weather and reduced soil fertility.  This winter we have been analyzing our soil sample and researching the most cost effective methods to improve our soil fertility and ultimately our hay production.  We added one load of chicken manure and are waiting on the neighbor to add another light load.  We are then planning to add some lime to the field in the spring.  
• Bale more hay - with the addition of lime and manure, we are hoping for increased hay production.  2014 was not a great year for hay in our area.  We are anticipating buying a few square bales to make it through this winter.  Next year we would like to be able to bale a surplus of hay, allowing us to have a safe buffer and possibly sell some hay for added income.  

• Increase Miniature Herefords show participation in this area - obviously this is not a goal that we can complete on our own.  You have seen some of our struggles with showing the Miniature Hereford in the big cow show world.  In order to grow the Miniature Hereford show world, we have to have increased participation at the shows.  Most shows are willing to add a class for Miniature Herefords if we can have a consistent participation of about 4 or 5 cows.  We are pushing through and trying to be a consistent presence at the shows, but we are only one.  We need help from others. We are growing a heard of nice show cows, but they need to be able to shine in the show ring.  With greater participation comes more places to show, with more places to show comes greater participation.  
• Continue to show in the BEST program - I cannot say enough good things about the Ohio Cattlemen's Association BEST program.  Both of our boys love competing and it has been something that we enjoy doing as a family.  It is really cold out now, so I may complain a little...or a lot... about spending my weekends freezing to death in a cold barn. Last year at the BEST shows, Walker was the cute kid with the cute cow.  This year, we are seeing more people really take notice.  We have more people come up to us and really ask about the Miniatures and are seriously considering purchasing for their smaller children who are just overpowered by the larger cows.  This is why we are fighting so hard!

• Attend the Ohio Beef Expo - This is the show of the year for us.  The Ohio Beef Expo is the largest beef cattle show in our area.  We also have our own Miniature Hereford show (no big cows allowed!).  It is a great place to show against the Miniatures, promote our farm, sell our cows, and have lots of fun with our Miniature Hereford friends.   
• Attend the Knox County Fair - 4-H has been a wonderful growing experience for both of the boys.  4-H is what introduced us to showing and started creating the little show monsters that we have today.  2015 will be the 4th year that we have taken a Miniature Hereford.  We want people in Knox County to know what a Miniature Hereford is and we want them to know that 4 Wiley Farm breeds them. 
• Attend NAMHA Fall Classic - This is another all Miniature Hereford show that we love to attend in the fall.  It is a laid back show that allows us to get some new and inexperienced cows introduced to the show world.  
• Go to Louisville - this is probably our biggest goal for the year.  We have never been able to go to the show in Louisville and we really, really wanted to go this year.  Vacation time and money have always held us back.  You can be sure that all of our vacation decisions will be made with Louisville in mind.  This is a bigger show and one where we would love to win a title.  We consider Louisville the next big step in our program.

This list isn't in any order and it isn't exhaustive.  There are always frustrating days...or weeks...or months when you feel that you are moving backwards instead of forwards.  Hopefully we can look back at this list and see that we really have accomplished many things.  All of these goals are not quantitative, but the goal is to always be moving forward.