I hope everyone enjoyed the Easter holiday as much as I did! The sun and flowering trees in southeastern PA were much appreciated after the drawn out Syracuse winter.
Sitting around the table for Easter dinner, I was able to appreciate another of my favorite things, dairy! I started thinking about how many of the dishes I was enjoying had dairy products in a staring or supporting role... creamy scalloped potatoes, savory pineapple filling, even the delicious strawberry pretzel dessert (I am becoming a huge fan of PA Dutch food!) were brought to us courtesy of dairy products! While these are the more decadent examples of dairy in the diet, I was just as appreciative of my Chobani greek-style yogurt for breakfast this morning, and the cheese on my sandwich at lunch. You don't need a special occation to enjoy the nutrition and yum! found in dairy products.
Here on the inevitable Monday, I'm glad to be heading back out on the road- this time out to New England for a few days to talk with farms about milk price risk management. This is a favorite destination as it affords me the opportunity to stop at home (in leiu of a hotel) and check in on the cows and parents. While I don't love the windshield time, I do enjoy seeing dairymen (and women) face to face, touring the country side, and adding some variety after a few months at my desk. I may even get lucky and find an early ice cream stand!
'til next time...
Monday, April 25, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
brown swiss, bloodlines, and broken windshields
Last night was supposed to be my night to visit Design, my calf housed at a friend's farm a few towns away. Unfortunately, last night instead was spent on the phone with insurance and autoglass replacement, after a sizeable stone took out my windshield. I caught myself thinking, ugh... why do I bother?!
This answers that.
To say that I love cows is an acurate statement, but I especially LOVE Brown Siwss. Just like dogs and cats, there are breeds of cows, each with a characteristics that differentiate that breed from all others. I refer to Swiss as the big brown cow, not to be confused with Jersey's, the small brown-ish cow, or Holsteins, the big black and white cow. While I ventured into Holsteins for a year back before I was 10, I have otherwise been entirely devoted to the big brown cow. They tend to be associated with having big ears, a kind disposition, being slow moving, slow thinking, and in general, a mild mannered cow. They are the cows who get their heads caught in the corner brace of a fence in the field while reaching for an illusive patch of grass. (true story).
If you own or work with Swiss however, you probably learned fairly quickly not to underestimate them. I can personally attest to dragging and/or chasing my fair share of these "docile" bovines to or from various pastures, up and down country roads, and through or around numerous show rings. They tend to appreciate their food- often chasing smaller cows away from the feed bunk, and they do not appreciate unexpected changes to their plans- such as being trained to lead for the shows. Unfortunate, since I own cattle for the sake of showing them.
While I love all Brown Swiss, I do have a favorite; Dee. She was my original purchase- the first cow I ever owned. Photos of Dee outnumber photos of my family 3 to 1 in my apartment. And to clarify, she's not the Brown Swiss with the head stuck in the fence. She's the other kind. The kind that seem to be a little too thoughtful, and entirely too stubborn for my own good. She's the foundation of my blood, sweat and tears venture into owning and raising my own cows. She'll turn 12 this September, and while she's slowed down, no one accuses her of mellowing. I like to think she's feisty. My parents, who are Dee's primary caretakers now that I'm in NY, have another word to describe her. Either way, after an 11 year investment, Dee is part of the family.
About a year and a half ago, Dee wasn't doing so hott. She had been pregnant and aborted multiple times, was slow walking around due to complications of a difficult calving a couple years prior, and in general, she had reached the point where we were questioning whether keeping her around was the right thing to do. I had just sold her last daughter to another farm, but I kept her calf named Design, who could carry on the bloodline. Even so, it wasn't a decision I wanted to have to make. Fortunately, Dee took to a last ditch effort to get her bred (pregnant), and with fingers crossed, we anxiously awaited December, and Dee's due date. This winter, I made plans to be home the weekend we expected the calf, and sure enough, Dori arrived problem free. It felt like the best Christmas present ever.
Several months later, my Dee family is thriving. Dee herself has pulled a complete 180, walking better, milking more, and reviving the complete personality we all know her for. Her daughter Dori placed 3rd in a nice class of winter calves at the Spring Dairy show in NY earlier this month and is growing like a weed. I even have Dee's granddaughter, Design, housed at a friend's farm here in central NY. Being able to visit my cow without driving across states, and the anticipation of showing this summer is priceless.
All of this keeps me going, even when I can't quite get out to see the Swiss themselves. The excitement and anticipation, seeing years of hard work develop into better and better cows... this is what it's all about for me.
'til next time,
This answers that.
To say that I love cows is an acurate statement, but I especially LOVE Brown Siwss. Just like dogs and cats, there are breeds of cows, each with a characteristics that differentiate that breed from all others. I refer to Swiss as the big brown cow, not to be confused with Jersey's, the small brown-ish cow, or Holsteins, the big black and white cow. While I ventured into Holsteins for a year back before I was 10, I have otherwise been entirely devoted to the big brown cow. They tend to be associated with having big ears, a kind disposition, being slow moving, slow thinking, and in general, a mild mannered cow. They are the cows who get their heads caught in the corner brace of a fence in the field while reaching for an illusive patch of grass. (true story).
If you own or work with Swiss however, you probably learned fairly quickly not to underestimate them. I can personally attest to dragging and/or chasing my fair share of these "docile" bovines to or from various pastures, up and down country roads, and through or around numerous show rings. They tend to appreciate their food- often chasing smaller cows away from the feed bunk, and they do not appreciate unexpected changes to their plans- such as being trained to lead for the shows. Unfortunate, since I own cattle for the sake of showing them.
While I love all Brown Swiss, I do have a favorite; Dee. She was my original purchase- the first cow I ever owned. Photos of Dee outnumber photos of my family 3 to 1 in my apartment. And to clarify, she's not the Brown Swiss with the head stuck in the fence. She's the other kind. The kind that seem to be a little too thoughtful, and entirely too stubborn for my own good. She's the foundation of my blood, sweat and tears venture into owning and raising my own cows. She'll turn 12 this September, and while she's slowed down, no one accuses her of mellowing. I like to think she's feisty. My parents, who are Dee's primary caretakers now that I'm in NY, have another word to describe her. Either way, after an 11 year investment, Dee is part of the family.
About a year and a half ago, Dee wasn't doing so hott. She had been pregnant and aborted multiple times, was slow walking around due to complications of a difficult calving a couple years prior, and in general, she had reached the point where we were questioning whether keeping her around was the right thing to do. I had just sold her last daughter to another farm, but I kept her calf named Design, who could carry on the bloodline. Even so, it wasn't a decision I wanted to have to make. Fortunately, Dee took to a last ditch effort to get her bred (pregnant), and with fingers crossed, we anxiously awaited December, and Dee's due date. This winter, I made plans to be home the weekend we expected the calf, and sure enough, Dori arrived problem free. It felt like the best Christmas present ever.
Several months later, my Dee family is thriving. Dee herself has pulled a complete 180, walking better, milking more, and reviving the complete personality we all know her for. Her daughter Dori placed 3rd in a nice class of winter calves at the Spring Dairy show in NY earlier this month and is growing like a weed. I even have Dee's granddaughter, Design, housed at a friend's farm here in central NY. Being able to visit my cow without driving across states, and the anticipation of showing this summer is priceless.
All of this keeps me going, even when I can't quite get out to see the Swiss themselves. The excitement and anticipation, seeing years of hard work develop into better and better cows... this is what it's all about for me.
'til next time,
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Why am I doing this?
Fair question.
I'm writing for the same reason I hope you are reading; because dairy is important and it deserves some attention! It's not just because dairy farmers are good people, or because cows are wonderful animals to work with, or even because milk is a wholesome, delicious food; it's all of that, but for me, it's because I am wholy invested in the dairy industry, and I'm concerned you aren't getting the whole story.
Let me elaborate.
I have loved cows since I was 7. Unlike many dairy farmers, I wasn't born into a farm family. I started working on a farm when I was 8, trading summer afternoons helping with farm chores for the privilage of taking a calf to the county fair to show as a 4-H project. From there, I spent more than a decade as an active 4-H'er, honing my skills in public speaking, dairy knowledge, teamwork, and leadership, all the while working on that local farm, learning to care for cows. At 12, my parents bought my first calf, Dee. At 18, I left home to attend college for Agri-Business and Dairy Science. Now, just shy of 24, I spend my work days teaching dairy farmers about milk prices. I still have Dee, she's a retired show cow now, but I have a daughter and granddaughter of hers to show at the fairs this summer. I When I call home, I'm asking how the cows are. When I talk to my boyfriend, it's impossible to avoid topics such as milk prices or a story about one of the 1,500 cows he works with every day.
I'm not just invested. I'm immersed. and I love it.
I want you to love it too. Maybe it's because you had a grandfather or uncle who milks cows, maybe it's the cows grazing in the field on your way to work, maybe you just really love cheese. Whatever the connection, I hope you have one. If not, consider this your invite into the dairy industry. I'll do my best to share stories about how milk is produced, as well as the folks who make it all happen. I want you to know where your food comes from and I'm hoping to shine a positive light on all things dairy, because we don't always get the glowing spotlight. Some of what is publicized is just wrong- animals being mistreated, poor farming practices, and mistruths about dairy product safety and nutrition- things that just shouldn't happen. I hope to show you that a vast majority of dairy farmers do it right, and are proud of the results of their efforts. It's a great way to earn a living.
So that's why I get up every morning and go to work, and why I get up at 4 am to wash my cows at the fair, and why I'm writing. That, and I really do love cheese.
'til next time,
I'm writing for the same reason I hope you are reading; because dairy is important and it deserves some attention! It's not just because dairy farmers are good people, or because cows are wonderful animals to work with, or even because milk is a wholesome, delicious food; it's all of that, but for me, it's because I am wholy invested in the dairy industry, and I'm concerned you aren't getting the whole story.
Let me elaborate.
I have loved cows since I was 7. Unlike many dairy farmers, I wasn't born into a farm family. I started working on a farm when I was 8, trading summer afternoons helping with farm chores for the privilage of taking a calf to the county fair to show as a 4-H project. From there, I spent more than a decade as an active 4-H'er, honing my skills in public speaking, dairy knowledge, teamwork, and leadership, all the while working on that local farm, learning to care for cows. At 12, my parents bought my first calf, Dee. At 18, I left home to attend college for Agri-Business and Dairy Science. Now, just shy of 24, I spend my work days teaching dairy farmers about milk prices. I still have Dee, she's a retired show cow now, but I have a daughter and granddaughter of hers to show at the fairs this summer. I When I call home, I'm asking how the cows are. When I talk to my boyfriend, it's impossible to avoid topics such as milk prices or a story about one of the 1,500 cows he works with every day.
I'm not just invested. I'm immersed. and I love it.
I want you to love it too. Maybe it's because you had a grandfather or uncle who milks cows, maybe it's the cows grazing in the field on your way to work, maybe you just really love cheese. Whatever the connection, I hope you have one. If not, consider this your invite into the dairy industry. I'll do my best to share stories about how milk is produced, as well as the folks who make it all happen. I want you to know where your food comes from and I'm hoping to shine a positive light on all things dairy, because we don't always get the glowing spotlight. Some of what is publicized is just wrong- animals being mistreated, poor farming practices, and mistruths about dairy product safety and nutrition- things that just shouldn't happen. I hope to show you that a vast majority of dairy farmers do it right, and are proud of the results of their efforts. It's a great way to earn a living.
So that's why I get up every morning and go to work, and why I get up at 4 am to wash my cows at the fair, and why I'm writing. That, and I really do love cheese.
'til next time,
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