Farm Photos

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two.sparrows.farm

12 years ago we woke up & walked down the aisle. ⛪
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This morning I took this video, which basically summarizes our life since then. ✨
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Coffee, kids & cows. 🐄
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I wouldn't have it any other way and wouldn't want to do life with anyone else. 💚
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#happyanniversary #12yearsaslave #12yearsinAzkaban #allthejokes #marriedlife #farmlife #milkingtime #babies #coffee #springonthefarm

This photo was taken a week ago and here we are, s

This photo was taken a week ago and here we are, still hoping for rain. 🤞
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We spent time on Mother's Day clearing limbs that had fallen on fence lines and into the hay field and sawing them into campfire wood for the season. 🔥
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Now, the equipment *shouldn't* hit anything unexpected while making hay. 🚜
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Whenever hay cutting happens to be this year 😬🤷
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Our county has received only 25% of normal precipitation in 2021, putting us in moderate drought status. 💧
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During April & May, we average 8" of rainfall, giving our grasses and plants a wet root system to tap into during the heat of July & August. ☀️
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To date, we've received 1.60" since April 1st and none has been in the month of May. 😱
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There always seems to be a storm system 7-10 days out on the forecast models which then fall apart by the time that day arrives. 😬
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Dry begets dry so the longer we go without rain, the more difficult it is for any moisture aloft to actually make it to the ground before evaporating. 🌧️
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So, we wait. And hope. And enjoy the warm and sunny spring weather we have at the moment. 🤗
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#springonthefarm #farmlife #weliveanddiebytheweather #moderatedrought #inMay #raindance #thoseblueskies #gratefulforwarmth #grassfarming

Just had to share my Mother's Day gifts from my Ma

Just had to share my Mother's Day gifts from my Madre 🤗
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What's not to love a paint-by-numbers cow!? 🐄
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And some organic local decaf from @rustbeltroastery at @oldtowngeneralstore ☕
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One of my favorite things about my mom is that whenever and wherever she can, she buys local. 💛
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Growing up, her dad owned a local business and she understands the power of supporting the local community. 🌟
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Every holiday & birthday, she hunts down gifts from businesses we love including this paint set!!🖌️
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For my birthday, she grabbed me a gift card to @vanattas_greenhouse for my spring garden 🌷
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It's a value that I share and cherish - local economies are the hub of our our community. ✨
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#whatmomsteachus #paintbynumbers #cow #farmlife #localcoffee #freshcream #mothersday #momswhoknowyou

Blue Skies + Green Grass 💙🌱 ... We're still

Blue Skies + Green Grass 💙🌱
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We're still in the middle of a chilly stretch of weather and still doing our rain dance 💃
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We've been missed by several rounds of rain that moved through the state and the soil is DRY. 😬
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No rebound of growth is happening, grass leaves are starting to curl and plants are stressed. 😭
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There's a chance of some Mother's Day rain tomorrow so we're hoping for the best - 1"+ of rain would be ideal!! 🌧️
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#springonthefarm #farmlife #prayingforrain #moderatedrought #Mayshowers #weneedrain #midmichigan #mothersday

It's a Cinco de Mayo baby!! 🌮 ... Our heifer, L

It's a Cinco de Mayo baby!! 🌮
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Our heifer, Lacy, gave birth to a beautiful heifer around 1 AM 🌙
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We named her Luna & Lacy's 1st milking went perfectly this morning. 🙌
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She's mostly Holstein with Jersey and 1/4 Angus. All black with the cutest patch of white on her belly. 🤗
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And - we're off to a busy delivery day! 💪
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#freshheifer #freshmilk #grassfed #grassmilk #holstein #jersey #angus #freshcalf #springcalving #springonthefarm #farmlife

A good way to wrap up April & start May!! 🐄 ...

A good way to wrap up April & start May!! 🐄
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A fresh bull calf named Petey 🤗
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We've been awaiting his arrival and we watched mom drop him no problem in the pasture during the evening hours. 😊
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We have one heifer and one cow left to calve in the next month or so - new babies are always exciting. 😍
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We're hoping for a month of RAIN, SUN & WARM temperatures 🤞
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Cheers to May!! 🥂
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#freshcow #freshcalf #bullcalf #angus #jersey #holstein #cross #grassfed #beef #onpasture #freshmilk #grassmilk #grassfinished #springcalf #springonthefarm #farmlife

It's over a year into the pandemic and this month

It's over a year into the pandemic and this month I finally had my first Zoom presentation 💻
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I know everyone is basically an expert now but there's a lot to navigate that I haven't had to think about before - lighting, sound, sharing your screen, etc. 😱
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Overall, I think it went well and we had fun leading a discussion on organic livestock production with an undergraduate class at Michigan State. 🎒
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We talked USDA Organic, "organic," sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices. And grass, soil, moving animals, fencing animals, erosion, etc. 🌱
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Sometimes it's hard to stay positive when so much research at the university level is funded by large agri-corporations.😒
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But, we are really lucky that MSU has shifted a large chunk of their research to a different paradigm. 🙌
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Their Kellogg Bio Station is a rotational grazed dairy with robotic milkers, focused on how much forage can be produced in a square foot - including how much organic matter can be built into the top soil and how this affects the animal, local environment, etc.
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In Lake City, their research focuses on beef. Instead of asking the question, "Can we grow beef bigger, faster, fatter and cheaper?" they're asking "Can we produce not just carbon-neutral beef but carbon-negative beef?"🌎
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Can we produce beef that actually sequesters carbon back into the soil, helping to reverse climate change? 🎉
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MSU is a top 5 agriculture university in the world - when they are asking these questions, it means that things are shifting.👏
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People are realizing that "conventional" agriculture isn't working for anyone - the farmers, the consumers, the animals nor the planet. It only works for the middle man processors making huge profits. And the seed companies selling GMOs and synthetic fertilizers.😕
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We're finishing out Earth Month feeling hopeful - it helps that were finally get some rain!! 🌧️
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#zoomclass #spartanswill #msuag #sustainableagriculture #regenerativeagriculture #allaboutgrass #movinganimals #sunshine #healthysoil

Welp. Spring has already been a roller coaster rid

Welp. Spring has already been a roller coaster ride this season. 🎢
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Thankfully, we had warm weather at the end of March to jumpstart some grass growth because the last 3 weeks of April have been 10+ degrees colder than average with zero precipitation. 😬
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So, we've had no re-growth since beginning our grazing season 2 weeks ago. 🌱
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We've thought about feeding hay again but we are also feeling strongly that we may need it later this summer because it's shaping up to look like a drought year.🤦
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Currently, 60% of Michigan is already in a moderate drought.
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IN APRIL. 😱
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It's dusty and dry and the ground is cracking. 😢
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Again. It's April, folks.
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Some of our rainiest months of the year. 🌧️
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Two years ago, we had one of the wettest springs on record, receiving double the normal rainfall, flooding crops and causing damage. 🤷
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This season, it's a drought.
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Even controlling for all other factors, farming always forces you to adjust your game plan because Nature has all the wrenches to throw at you. 🚜
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We've been keeping busy fixing equipment and prepping for hay season. 💪
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Also, this cutie is officially 10 months old. 🤗
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I would not, however, recommend a teething baby to cheer your perspective on life. 😂
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10 days ago, he had one singular tooth.
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Today, he has 8 that have broken through his gums.
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7 TEETH in 10 DAYS. 😱
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If we drank, this would be an opportune time. 😜
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#farmlife #springonthefarm #prayforrain #moderatedrought #weneedrain #warmtemps #readyforrealspring #teethingbaby #tiredmama #sendwine #farmbaby

It's EARTH DAY!! 🌎 ... We started with about an

It's EARTH DAY!! 🌎
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We started with about an hour of snow flurries 😒 but the sun is finally breaking through the clouds!! ☀️
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A few more days of cooler and wet weather (🙌) and then it looks like next week will kick of the blaze of spring grass growth we've been waiting for. ☺️
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Highs towards 70 F and lots of sun. The soil and grass will love it! 🌱
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Unfortunately, we've lost our magnolia tree buds to a hard frost (2nd year in a row) and the grass growth has slowed a bit due to colder temps. 😬
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But, spring will win out. We know it. 🌷
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#lovetheearth #earthday2021 #grassfed #stillgrazing #springonthefarm #farmlife

Monday, Monday ☁️ ... We had a great weekend w

Monday, Monday ☁️
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We had a great weekend working on calf fencing, loading up compost and mowing the grass 🌱
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Now, the cold is rolling in for the week, so are the clouds and the baby is cutting 4 teeth simultaneously. 🤦
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It's a good day to plan some warm meals and tackle the house. 😬
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And our new-to-us baler made it home after it's spring tune-up. 👏
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You can see how excited our Baylor was for it's homecoming 😂 This kid was made for the farm 🚜
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#springonthefarm #roundbaler #silagespecial #baleage #dryhay #allthehay #3yearoldsarethebest #farmlife #baylormerton #monday #catchupday #laundry #cleaning #homeschool #allthethings

COMPOST PICKUP DAY!!! 💩 ... Stop by on Saturday

COMPOST PICKUP DAY!!! 💩
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Stop by on Saturday April 17 between 12 and 7 PM and help yourself to some amazing black gold. 🚜
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Smaller quantities (buckets & totes) is DIY. We will have a few shovels available.💪
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Truck beds & trailers, we will have the loader available to fill ya up. 👍
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It looks like the weather will cooperate and be perfect to work in. 🤗
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No need to call ahead of schedule anything - we'll be around working on the farm. 🐄
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Here's some of the "treasures" we found while digging through the trash heap that previous generations of farmers have used on our farm. 🙌
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A lot of actual junk but some gems too - my annuals will be all jazzed up in their vintage planters this year. 🌟😂
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#farmlife #freecompostday #comegetyourpoop #blackgold #compost #midmichigan #springgardens #greenthumb #springonthefarm

This point in the year is all about FENCES. 🔨 .

This point in the year is all about FENCES. 🔨
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They make good neighbors, right?! Well, they're pretty important in keeping livestock contained, too.😜
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We've been repairing fences where trees have fallen, replacing broken clips and insulators, purchasing new supplies and recycling old supplies. 💪
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We have a 1/2 mile of t-posts that are unused and overgrown in our woods that we're pulling and re-purposing on the farm. 👏
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And, this year we're expanding our permanent calf pasture space to accommodate the larger crop of calves were keeping. 🐄
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In years past, we've sold most of our calves since we didn't have the land, pasture or hay to finish all of them. 🌱
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Now, as we have grown to the point of making 100% of our own winter forage, we can afford to finish out all of the calves born on the farm. 🙌
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Thus, the need for fencing better suited to smaller stock v. finishing beef and dairy cows. 💚
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It's a good thing that we (generally) enjoy fences. 😂
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#fixingfences #springonthefarm #farmlife #cowbabies #grassfed #grassfinishedbeef #anguscrosscalves #freshmilk #herdshare #midmichigan

It's happening!! 🙌🌱💚 ... This paddock has

It's happening!! 🙌🌱💚
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This paddock has a lot of bunch grasses that are ready to go so we're beginning to graze for half days while we continue to supplement with hay. 🌟
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The transition should only take a week to 10 days but we are all EXCITED for that grass milk!! 🥛😋
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Happy Sunday!!
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#grazingseason #itbegins #regenerativeagriculture #buildorganicmatter #sequestercarbon #stoperosion #waterrunoff #grassfedbeef #grassfeddairy #apriltodecember

COMPOST PICK-UP IS RESCHEDULED!!! 🚨 ... We are

COMPOST PICK-UP IS RESCHEDULED!!! 🚨
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We are planning to offer another FREE compost pick up day next Saturday April 17 from 12-7 PM 💩
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Our tractor loader is repaired & better than ever but the rain this week makes everything too heavy to transport efficiently. 🚜
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A little bit of drier weather will make things easier for everyone. 💪
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We still have plenty left so don't be shy about stopping by to grab yours. 🤗
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In the meantime, this rain & warm soil temps = LOTS of grass growth 🌱
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We should be grazing within a week. 🙌 Eeekk!!
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#springonthefarm #farmlife #planwiththeweather #springshowers #gardencompost #tractorrepairs #alwaysfixing #midmichigan

Feeling grateful for my first spring blooms from @

Feeling grateful for my first spring blooms from @swallowtail_farm_mi 💐
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It's only Tuesday and this week is kicking our butts. 😂
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We've been battling the cows' desire to be on pasture since last week when the grasses shot up. 🌱
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They've been trying every way to escape and have succeeded twice - once Saturday and once on Sunday. 😭
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On Saturday, they broke into our hay field and the kids already had horses saddled up. With the bull running with the herd, we took the horses out to round them up.🏇
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It went really well until our cattle dog Carlita mistook Dan's horse for another cow and snarled up in her face. She juked right and tossed Dan off to the left, onto his hip. 😱
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After laying in pain for 5-10 minutes, he got back on his horse and finished the cattle drive.😬
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He's still walking like a cowboy and has the bruise to prove it. 😜
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On Sunday, they snuck into the 6 acre hay field and we rounded them up on foot (Dan hobbling the whole time) and it was a quick fix. 🙌
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Since then, we've been able to contain their wanderlust. 🤞
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Sunday evening when we returned from Easter for chores we found that something had tripped on the bulk tank and the milk had warmed to 55 F.🌡️
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We lost what was in the tank (around 40 gallons) - the pigs are eating like kings this week and the tank seems to be working 💯 now 🤷
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We have one tractor loader being fixed this week. Another bad prognosis on one of our vehicles and to top it off, Dan got projectile pooped on. 💩
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Also, the baby is cutting two teeth and fussy to boot.👶
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But, the weather is gorgeous. 🤗 We're getting much-needed rain on the pastures and should be grazing cows within 2 weeks. 💪
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More busyness ahead during this spring time rush but I'm still waiting for adult nap time. 😴
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#farmlife #localblooms #freshflowers #springblooms #localfarms #grazingmanagement #patiencepaysoff #iwillsurvive

It was the perfect day to pick rocks!! 💪 ... We

It was the perfect day to pick rocks!! 💪
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We combed 6 acres for anything that will damage hay equipment this summer and pick up some winter trash while we were at it. 👏
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Dan and I dug with shovels and a pick axe while the 3 older kids were "runners" back to the truck.🚛
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Blaine had a blast playing in the grass, watching all the action. 😂
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Right now are the perfect conditions for this work - soft soil to dig rocks but not too soft to damage fields, some grass but not tall enough to shade out spotting rocks, warm enough to want to work outside without the summer heat. 👍
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Every year, the repeated freezes and thaws of winter work new rocks to the surface of the soil so we need to catch those before our haybine does. 😬
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We'll be taking a break for regular work and cooler weather this week, then tackling our 20 acre hay field on Saturday. 🌱
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The kids earned themselves a movie and 🍿. We earned ourselves some soaks in the hot tub. ♨️
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#familyfun #familyfarming #familieswhoworktogether #pickingrocks #farmkids #springonthefarm

And just like that...GREEN 🌱 ... But don't worr

And just like that...GREEN 🌱
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But don't worry - we still have that Michigan Gray sky to keep us company. 😂
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Some sorely needed rain (albeit cooler temps) is just what we needed to jumpstart some spring grass growth 🙌
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This is a tough time of the year because the animals can smell and sense the fresh grass. 🐄
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It feels like the Earth is humming with anticipation at the coming burst of life. 🌷
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But, grazing too early and too short will stunt growth for the rest of the year. 😭
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A little bit of patience goes a long way - we need grasses to be at least 6" by which point the root system is established, and we can't have muddy fields or it will be plugged up by hoof traffic. 😬
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Still, the animals don't know that and they're antsy to run and kick their heels in the pasture. 🐎
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More than any other time of the year, our fences have to be 🔥 - any little short and they'll slip right through to the salad bar awaiting them. ☘️
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#farmlife #springonthefarm #patienceisavirtue #grazinglife #grassfed #beef #freshmilk

It's hard not to feel filled with JOY with all thi

It's hard not to feel filled with JOY with all this sunshine! ☀️
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It was a busy, busy weekend but we re-homed half of our compost to gardens 👏
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Family, friends, herd share members and new faces all stopped by to get their fill. 💪
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We are so happy to be sharing some soil fertility - we know what it does on our pastures and can only imagine what those gardens will produce this year. 🌱
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Of course, the loader bucket on the tractor had a slight crack that turned into a huge crevasse during the pickup day 🤦
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We are getting a new piece of steel to weld it this week. Our second tractor also needs some loader work but we will be all set for our 2nd compost pickup day on Sat. April 10! 👏
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While we're soaking in this stretch of vitamin D, Dan will be making a big purchase tomorrow! 🎉
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I'll post more details soon, but for now, we'll be doing a rain dance. 🌧️
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This is seriously the dryest March we can remember and it has us a little nervous that this will be a drought summer. 😬
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Most of the country is in "abnormally dry" or drought conditions already. 😭
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Also - we didn't expect donations but we had some folks bring us goodies this weekend and I would be remiss to not shout out my gratitude. 🤗
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I mean, look at that bread!? Some day I hope to make a sourdough loaf that beautiful!! 🥖
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THANK YOU to our wonderful community! ✨
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@monicajeang 💚 your basket was so 😋
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#farmlife #farmcommunity #springonthefarm #organiccompost #springgardens #midmichigan

Nothing says SPRING like garden planning 📋 ...

Nothing says SPRING like garden planning 📋
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And we're celebrating the 1st day of spring with a FREE compost pickup day, this Sat. March 20th! ☘️
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What I lack in a green thumb, I make up for with soil fertility. 😜
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Stop by 12 - 7 PM!
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Smaller quantities we recommend 5 gallon buckets or plastic totes with lids to transport. We will have a limited supply of shovels. (You're welcome to bring your own too!) ⚒️
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Larger amounts, we'll have the tractor loader ready to go to load your truck bed or trailer. 🚜
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This blend of manure, straw and hay has been hot composting for 2 years now - there's no hint of scent to it and should be good to work directly into your garden or at the base of fruit trees 🍎
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See you Saturday!! 🌱
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#soilfertility #organiccompost #organicgardening #growyourownfood #gardenplanning #compost #farmlife #springweekend #marchintospring

Monday morning means freshly cleaned calf stalls!

Monday morning means freshly cleaned calf stalls! 🤗
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Especially with winter weather heading our way overnight ❄️
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It's the time of the year when we are inundated with requests to work, volunteer and intern on the farm - which, don't get me wrong - is great! 💪
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But, this is also the time of the year in which I want to respond - don't think about farming unless you love fixing and cleaning. 😂
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Because, really, that's how we spend large portions of our time "farming" 😝
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In the last week, we've rebuilt the PTO on our manure spreader, fixed a broken gutter chain in the barn, and repaired numerous broken fence lines from the winter.
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We've also, cleaned said barn with said gutter chain (once fixed), spread manure & cleaned cement (once fixed), cleaned calf stalls, cleaned free stalls, cleaned bulk tanks and milking equipment and deep cleaned our milk house, cleaned our milk cooler, milk pickup room and the stock trailer 😌
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We've also built a fence to protect an old tree from cow and horse licks. 😜
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Spring time is heavy on the cleaning but, honestly, it's a huge part of our weekly workload. 📋
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Dan hates fixing equipment but it's a regular part of his job. 🤷
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As Mike Rowe says - don't follow your passion; bring your passion with you. 👏
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If we can bring energy and passion to cleaning and fixing, then I think we can succeed at just about anything 😎
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#springonthefarm #alwaysfixing #alwayscleaning #fixingfences #fixingequipment #deepclean #springclean #realityoffarming #dirtyjob #mud #manure #hay #straw #cleanandtidy

This weekend we rented out a group of 10 calves in

This weekend we rented out a group of 10 calves in the 400-600# range for a horse clinic. 🐎
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Before we hauled them home, we brought 2 horses up and got to play. 🤗
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It turns out cattle are more fun to work on horseback than on the ground. 😝
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Thanks to High Point Stables for a great clinic!
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#cattlework #basicallyadate #onhorseback #havingfun #workhard #playhard #playingwithcows #playingwithhorses #horseclinic

This week (and every week!) we're grateful for @gr

This week (and every week!) we're grateful for @greenstonefcs 🙏
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Agriculture is a unique industry that they understand as a lender. Last year, they saved us tens of thousands of dollars and years of payments by converting our mortgage to a lower rate. 💪
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Every March, we receive patronage checks as cooperative distributions.🙌
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As 1st generation farmers, we couldn't make our business work without them. ☘️
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They're the only way we could purchase a farm and cash flow our business through the growth years. 📈
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These checks are just another bonus we love. 💚
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#partnershippays #patronagechecks #bettertogether #theygetfarming #greenstonefcs #farmbusiness #farmlife #fulltimefarming #familyfarming

SUNshine is a good way to start March! ☀️ ...

SUNshine is a good way to start March! ☀️
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We took full advantage of the gorgeous weekend weather to do a LOT of cleanup and shuffling on the farm. 👍
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The snow and ice are in full meltdown mode with almost all of our ground now exposed. 👏
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That means it's a soggy, muddy mess 😝
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We're timing tasks like bringing wrapped hay baked up from the field and spreading manure to coincide with the most "frozen" times of day. ❄️
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We added a new group of piglets to the farm and a new heifer to the herd, too. ☺️
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And, we re-homed one of our cows (Casey) to a friend's homestead. 🤗
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She was one of the low cows in the herd, and bullied by some of the higher cows. 😭
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We're confident she's going to thrive on a smaller-scale farm. 💞
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Lots of fun family work days have been just what we needed 🤗
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#familyfarm #familytime #familieswhoworktogether #winteronthefarm #springinourhearts #farmlife #pasturedpigs #readyinjuly #freezerpork
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@tractorsupply 🚜 @uddertechinc 💙

Tuesday family fun day 😂 ... The warm sun allow

Tuesday family fun day 😂
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The warm sun allowed all 6 of to work outside yesterday with Blaine awake! 😱
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In the winter, Dan and I can only work simultaneously when Blaine naps in the heated milk house (2-3 hours each morning) 😴
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With the sun shining and temps above 40, we could all venture out and work with him in the stroller. 👏
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We fell a *teeny* bit behind on tagging calves this winter so that was the first item on our list to tackle - literally. 😜
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Some of the calves were still young so they weren't too much trouble.
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Some were closer to 400 lbs and required some roping skills 😂
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All in all, we got 12 calves tagged and a few bulls banded into steers 🙌
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Today - washing all the farm gear from the mud bath 🚿
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#farmlife #familyfarming #familieswhoworktogether #taggingcalves #bandingcalves #checkoff #todolist #springprep #feelslikespring

After waking up to -18 F last week, we are ready f

After waking up to -18 F last week, we are ready for a BIG THAW this week!! 🙌
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We will hit 40 four times this week 😱
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We. Are. Excited. 👏
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But, we also know that thaws are messy. 😂
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Layers of frozen straw, manure, sawdust and mud melt into a lovely, soupy spring mix 😜
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Cleanup is definitely on the schedule, in addition to prepping a stall for the arrival of piglets this weekend. 🤗
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Spring will be here soon!! 🙏
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#winteronthefarm #farmlife #poophappens #springthaw #warmingtrend #springcleaning #morepiggies #pasturedpigs #comingthisspring

Valentine snuggles 💕 ... Despite not being able

Valentine snuggles 💕
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Despite not being able to feel my cheeks within minutes outside, we're feeling incredibly grateful this week. 😂
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Grateful for the Great Lakes, which are warming us from even colder temperatures in WI and MN. ❄️
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Grateful that our water lines are staying decently thawed, we have plenty of hay put up for the livestock and we haven't lost power so everything is running smoothly. 🙌
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Grateful that, although the equipment has been finicky from time to time, we still are able to run both tractors. 🚜
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Grateful that we can work through naptime with our sleeping babe in the milk house 👶
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Here's to another day of working in single digits and baking inside with hot coffee 😜
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#winteronthefarm #farmlife #hotcoffee #bakingaddiction #polarvortex #stayhealthy

Every good Valentine's weekend starts with a fresh

Every good Valentine's weekend starts with a fresh calf 💕
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We found this cutie with her mama this morning, in a warm, clean and sheltered area between two barns. She was already dry with a full belly of warm colostrum! 🙌
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She is Peggy Sue's 8th calf 🤗 and her 6th heifer 💪
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Peggy is one our most maternal mamas and generally has easy births with good instincts 🙏
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She and her mama are staying cozy on this frigid night. ❄️
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Perhaps we should break tradition and name her Valentina? 💘
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#freshcow #freshcalf #jersey #holstein #angus #heifer #easycalving #easybirth #farmbabies #winteronthefarm #farmlife #valentines2021

February's beauty is matched only by it's brutalit

February's beauty is matched only by it's brutality. ❄️
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We are so grateful that all of our equipment and animals are surviving this frigid dip in temperature. 🌡️
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For the most part, we've been able to keep water thawed, animals well-fed and tractors/trucks/milk system working 💪
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There's been a few dips to the point that the tractors aren't cooperating so we switch from 1st/2nd cutting baleage to 3rd cutting dry hay, which we can roll out just the two of us. 👏
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Most mornings we're waking up with temps between -1 and 2 F (by afternoon, 14-19 F feels balmy!) 😜
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But, February always brings us abundant sunshine 🌞
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Which is glorious! 🤗
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I know everyone in the country is experiencing this plunge, too. Our local weather folks are saying it's likely we won't warm to 30 F again until March. 😱
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Bring on the winter, I guess! 😂
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#winteronthefarm #farmlife #happyanimals #warmandcozy #sunshine #allthesnow #polarvortex #dairylife #workoutside #getthatvitaminD

You might be a farm kid if...🤔 ... You break fr

You might be a farm kid if...🤔
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You break from morning chores for a fresh cup of hot cocoa, straight from the cow 😜
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It's the best way to warm up on a chilly day! ☕
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#farmlife #farmkid #freshmilk #hotcocoa #winteronthefarm #dairylife #americasfuture

This is a ridiculously overdue post 🤦 ... We ac

This is a ridiculously overdue post 🤦
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We actually finished up the free stall barn project over 2 months ago but we went right into the holiday season and life got crazy 😂
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So, this barn was a big expense and time-intense thing for us but it was necessary to save the structure and has helped the cows tremendously. 👏
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We dug the dirt/manure floor back to a level base, added structural support with new truss beams and raised them to allow equipment in the barn. Then, we had a neighbor bring in gravel and pour cement before we added free stalls and brought in sand. 💪
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Now, the cows have a clean, sandy beach to sleep on all winter and a cool, protected barn to keep away from the peak heat in the summer. 🙌
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Prior to this, we had a few other structures that served these purposes but none were big enough for the whole herd or permanent. 👍
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Now, their manure goes right onto the cement - easy cleanup and clean cows every morning. 👌
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#farmlife #dairycows #freestallbarns #sleepingbeauties #winteronthefarm #farmprojects

Dan doesn't always haul animals in the winter, but

Dan doesn't always haul animals in the winter, but when he does, it's always a "winter weather event!" 😂
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We have literally had 5 days this winter with 1" or more of snow and THIS was the day we accumulated more - slush and wind, ice, and big, beautiful flakes. ❄️
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He hauled the last of our "2020" pigs today so we're excited to have a little break from them for a few weeks. 👏
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The trip went smoothly and safely, for which we are grateful! 🙌
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In another month or so, we'll have a fresh batch of piglets in to kick off the 2021 season! 🐖
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We also secured all our 2021 beef dates - spread out over 4 different butcher days due to animal ages, processor and trailer capacities. 😜
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It feels good to have that done ✔️
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I've also wrapped up my end of year accounting, surveys, etc and I'm *fairly* prepped for our annual CPA meeting. 💪
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I feel like I can exhale for just a few days now. 🥂
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#winteronthefarm #smallbusiness #taxprep #bookkeeping #accounting #meatprocessing #haulinglivestock #workworkwork #goodstartto2021 #farmlife

The kids were excited to bring home Big Blue this

The kids were excited to bring home Big Blue this week!! 💙
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Dan (the biggest kid of them all 😜) is especially pumped, although excitement is always a little more tempered when you're the one footing the bill 😂
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A new-to-us tractor is a long-overdue and much-needed upgrade for the farm. 🚜
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It's big enough to run a round baler during hay season, plus we can have someone rake just ahead of the baler, saving toms of time. 👌
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And, it's helpful to have two tractors for spreading manure (one loads, the other spreads 💩)
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The goal is to shave what were spending on custom hire each year, and this '78 will definitely help that. 👏
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So much of our winter is spent reflecting, analyzing, planning, fixing and adjusting for the next season. 🌱
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#newtous #fordtractor #1978 #3000hours #makinghay #bigblue #2021herewecome #readyornot #farmequipment #farmlife #winteronthefarm

Baby girl!! ❤️ ... She's one week old now and

Baby girl!! ❤️
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She's one week old now and I still don't have an "S" name yet 🤦
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We've seen just about everything this week - sun, blue skies, rain, sleet, snow, clouds and lots of melting mud 😂
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But, everyone is staying healthy & busy! 💪
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#heifercalf #jersey #holstein #namethatcalf #freshcalf #freshcow #winteronthefarm #wintercalves #cutie #farmlife

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