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This is Us​ - our life, our story, our farm

Got Hay?

7/25/2015

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While some areas of the country are experiencing extreme drought, here in Ohio we feel like we might just need to build an ark.  June brought us 20 straight days of rain and a total of 23 out of 30 days of rain for the month.  We collected over 12 1/2 inches of rain just in June.  
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All of the rain has made hay making nearly impossible.  If you were one the brave ones that didn't listen to the weathermen, you may have taken advantage of the 4 rain free days on Memorial Day weekend to cut hay.  We listened to the forecast that called for rain and didn't cut.  The next 3 day window without rain was July 4th weekend.  We jumped...but we were only brave enough to cut the 8 acres at home.

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Isaac's 4-H Project

7/18/2015

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My name is Isaac Wiley and I am a member of the Clinton Clovers 4-H Club.  I am taking a Market Steer to the Knox County Fair this year.  My goals this year are to place in the top ten in the Market Steer class.  I would also like to be in the top five for Carcass and to win Showmanship.  
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I am also showing a Miniature Hereford heifer named Rain in the breed show.  My goals with Rain are to make it to the final drive in the breed classes and to promote the unique Miniature Hereford breed.  My brother has the same goals with his Miniature Hereford.  If we both make it to the final drive (they are different ages so will be in different classes), that would mean that there would be two Miniature Herefords represented in the final drive.  I think that would be awesome!

I would love for you to come out to the fair to see me, Chester and Rain and to support the Knox County Jr. Fair (July 25th -August 1st).  If you make it to the fair, please stop by the barn and say hello.  We have all worked really hard all year long to make it to fair week.  We love to show off all our our hard work!


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Walker's 4-H Project

7/11/2015

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My name is Walker Wiley and I am a member of the Clinton Clover's 4-H Club.  This is my first year to have a market project and I am taking a Beef Market Feeder named Rusty to the Knox County Fair.  My goals this year are to just have fun and earn some money to be able to star my own herd.  I would also like to be in the top five for Showmanship.  
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I am also showing a Miniature Hereford heifer in the breed show.  My goals with Annabelle are to make it to the final drive in the breed classes and to promote the Miniature Hereford breed.  

I would love for you to come out to the fair and see me, Rusty and Annabelle and to support the Knox County Jr. Fair (July 25-August 1st).  If you make it to the fair, please stop by the beef barn and say hello.  I am the little kid with the little cows!

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Packing List for 4-H County Fair Beef Project

7/4/2015

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You have spent months and months feeding, grooming, working and preparing your cow for the county fair.  It is now time to load up and head for the fair.  On move-in day, what more do you need than your cow?

Last week we looked at all the things to bring to keep the people happy.  This week we will look at all the items you need to take to the county fair to keep the animals happy.
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  1. Hose - you will spend a lot of time in the wash stall...not only to keep you animals clean, but also to cool them down in the extreme heat.
  2. Shampoo - this can be as simple as dish soap or as specific as Bright Lights (yes, we were once stupid and bought an all white steer....never again)
  3. Grooming chute
  4. Blower
  5. Clippers
  6. Combs
  7. Adhesives and show sprays
  8. Tack box - this is also a great place to lock up your personal belongings when you stray from the barn.  Don't worry, by the end of the week, everyone's tack box looks like a school locker.
  9. Halters and neck ties - our fair requires neck ties because there have been a few too many roaming cows at night.  We have arrived at the barn many mornings to find a cow completely out of their halter and only tied in place by the neck tie.
  10. Show halters
  11. Buckets
  12. Feed buckets
  13. Plenty of feed and hay for the week
  14. Water or water filter - many times with different water, the cows will not drink.  Whenever possible, we transport containers of water from home so that we do not have to fight with the cows to get used to a different tasting water.  This is especially true if you are at a facility that has city water and your cows are used to well water.  
  15. Bedding - we have found that straw works best because it is not quite as dusty.
  16. Fan - this is really to keep the cows cool and comfortable, but we have all been guilty of sneaking in front of one for a short nap
  17. Wheelbarrow - everyone does not need to take a wheelbarrow, but it is nice to have several in the barn for everyone to share.  We will not be taking ours this year because it has a flat tire...for the last 2 years.
  18. Tent - at the Knox County Fair, all of the grooming chutes are set up outside.  With the volatile weather that we can have in July, you are bound to get blazing hot sun and at least one thunderstorm during fair week.  The pop-up tent just makes in nicer on everyone to have some protection from the elements.  The show doesn't stop so that we can't wait for the storm to pass to fit our animals. 

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    Let's Connect

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    Hello!  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.

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