More Rain!
Monday, June 10, 2024
Hello friends,
More rain! Three or four inches in the last 5 days! We’re not sure exactly how much because there is a little top on the rain gauge that blew off some time in the night and it collected more rain than it officially should. I don’t think we got that much rain all last year! We don’t take this for granted. I just wish I could save up some of that rain and bring it out when we needed it in July and August.
We’ve been out of ground beef for a couple of weeks now, but two more beeves are going in this Wednesday, so it won’t be long before we have a fresh supply. One will be whole cow ground, the other we just have to take a few steaks out of our half Jersey, half Angus steer. He looks so good. There are two more steers coming and then we probably won’t have steer beef for a while. Our grass has to go to the girls so we can milk and make cheese. That being said, there are three half breed (Angus again) calves due around September 10 or so. Remember when our neighbor’s bull paid us a visit? Well, he wasn’t visiting us, rather our frisky milk cows. We may be tempted to raise up another steer if we get a bull calf. It takes a long time to get that beef!…
Where Did May Go?
Monday, June 3, 2023
Hello friends,
Where did May go? It seems like it just flew past and now it’s already June. I guess time does fly when you are busy. And we’re having fun. We just celebrated my oldest grandson’s birthday yesterday. How can it be that he is already 6 years old? Seems like such a short time ago that he was just a little baby.
Intermittent rains just keep the grass growing like crazy. We decided that for the number of cows we have and want to have, we will need the pastures for them to graze. That means we will plan on buying hay for the wintertime. The last two years were so dry that hay was at a premium price. This year, if they can get the hay cut between rains, the price of hay should be lower because of the abundance of grass. Milk production is still up, and the cows are really chowing down. Yum!…
A Little Time Off
Monday, May 27, 2024
Hello friends,
Happy Memorial Day! A day that is specifically to remember those that have died serving our country, but also is used to remember loved ones in general that have passed away and frankly all service members. It’s good to be thankful. We can’t fully understand the benefit that we enjoy because those brave heroes gave the ultimate sacrifice so that we can live securely. Thank you!
This weekend was a bit of a mini vacation for Bill and me. Stephen and Celia and the boys came down to watch the farm, our workers stepped up to the plate and covered for the weekend shifts that they normally have off, and we went to the city for some time off. We went to the Liberty Memorial, we got sandwiches and ate them in the park, we went shopping, and then went out to eat again before going home to sleep in our own beds. Then we got up Sunday day morning and after church went up to the zoo. Today was a workday for us as Stephen and Celia were still here so we made cheese and caught up on some work in the creamery. All in all, a very pleasant weekend making for two refreshed farmers…
Another Successful Farm Tour
Monday, May 20, 2024
Hello friends,
More beneficial rain! The grass is really growing now. In the yard and especially in the pastures. I took my window of opportunity and finished transplanting my tomatoes yesterday in a mad rush. I get so much gardening done just before it rains. All I have left is peppers to go out and then transplant my lettuce into a triangular planting bed. Meanwhile, the weeds are going nuts! The compost I applied was full of weed seeds and they are well fertilized. Yikes!
The farm tour was a success! We already had quite a few people scheduled to come pick up milk, and then we had the tour people coming too. Stephen and the boys were a big help. Little Xavier was a big hit as he followed the tours and welcomed all the children and adults. When it was over, and after a little “chill” time, we went out to our pond for some fishing. We discovered that the duck has been spending time on the dock leaving lots of little calling cards. Actually, big calling cards. Maybe the rain will wash it off. We caught 2 fish, so it was a happy excursion. After a long day, we were so tired!…
This Saturday, May 18th, is the Linn County Tour
Monday, May 13, 2024
Hello friends,
I hope your Mother’s Day was wonderful. Mine started out okay, but I ended up with a stomach bug. Ugh! So, we will postpone going out to eat until another day when we can enjoy it. The restaurants were probably crowded anyway. I’m feeling much better but now we hope no one else catches it. No fun.
We have been dealing with a few milk issues. If you got milk that spoiled quickly or tasted off right away, we will replace it or refund. After the second report last Monday we began to investigate and discovered a loose gasket on one of the milking assemblies which left a place for residue to form. Then we also discovered one cow had mastitis! After doing an inconclusive CMT test on every cow, we finally found the culprit Thursday evening. We have rectified both problems but if you got milk that you couldn’t drink, just dump it and we will replace it. Thank you for reporting so that we could go to look for a problem. We want to keep our milk top quality.
This Saturday is the Linn County Farm Tour! If you ever wanted to tour the creamery, now is your chance. I will prepare ahead of time; you will need to take off your shoes if you want to go into the make room. We’ll have samples to taste and plenty of cheese to purchase. The cows and heifers will be nearby so you can see the real working girls. Here is a link to the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=445315411488893&set=pcb.445315998155501
Farm Tour Coming up May 18th
Monday, May 6, 2024
Hello friends,
More rain on the way! We don’t actually need any more rain for a while, but as long as it doesn’t storm, I’m thankful for the rain. We don’t need strong wind, hail, or even tornadoes. I have to admit that there are areas of the “lawn” that haven’t had much actual grass growing after the last two years of extreme dry weather, and now the grass is starting to perk up. Maybe we’ll have a real lawn this year? The pastures are loving this.
Less than two weeks until the Linn County Farm Tour! Mark your calendar for May 18 and be prepared to come see the farm. We’ll go throughout the creamery explaining what we do. The milking girls will be nearby to pet or talk to, and the younger heifers will be near the barn. Even the little heifer Violet will want to see you. There will be cheese samples to taste and purchase along with other local products in our store. Look up the Facebook page for details….
Lots of Rain
Monday, April 29, 2024
Hello friends,
Wow! What a difference a week makes! Last week I was bemoaning the teasing of rain in the forecast with nothing to show for it. This week I am so thankful that it didn’t rain today so that the standing water can soak in. Oh my! It started with 3 ¼ inches over two days, and then Saturday night we got a whopping 7 inches! Our rain gauge holds 8 so it was very full. Some gauges only hold 5 and they were overflowing. Our driveway is pretty washed out and a good portion of the gravel is displaced downhill, and ultimately in the road. The pond by the house is so full! I haven’t been back to our big pond, but it has a large area of overflow. I’m hoping the fish didn’t overflow.
Two times my phone alerted me of a tornado warning in the area and we considered taking shelter in the basement. That would be an ordeal for Mom, so we wanted to make sure it was necessary. Ultimately the tornadoes went south of us, and the potential radar indicated rotation was northwest of us, so we were safe. We even got the cows milked on Saturday before the storm started. The grass is growing like crazy, and the cows are happy, so we are happy…
Garden Planting in Full Swing
Monday, April 22, 2024
Hello friends,
Garden planting is in full swing! Bill got a couple of scoops of compost with the tractor from where the cows spent last winter eating hay and laying around on it, and of course there was some manure involved as well. He had piled it up so that it would break down more efficiently and for the most part it is awesome. Whenever you use the tractor to get a big scoop, you are bound to scoop up more than you need, and I do have to sort through some parts that are not quite finished composting. I toss that in my garden compost pile for more time to break down. Anyway, I’m not figuring that we’re getting any more frost, but I’ll hold back on putting out tomatoes for a little while longer.
We are still getting lots of delicious milk, but we sure could use some rain on the pastures! Last week was a big nothingburger. So many rain icons in the forecast, but it was a lot of false hope. Most of the rain went north, and lots of it. That’s the way it goes sometimes. I’m just taking advantage of being able to work in the garden. When I’m done it can soak everything with spring rain…
It’s a Girl!
Monday, April 15, 2024
Hello friends,
Tax Day I suppose. Isn’t every day Tax Day? As self-employed farmers we have to turn our taxes in by the end of February. Fortunately, there are a lot of perks for farmers that we can take advantage of, and we rarely pay very much income tax. Property tax, oh my that is ridiculous! It’s like we pay rent on property that we own, and we have very few services provided. They grade the gravel road occasionally. Anyway, we are thankful that we only have about ¾ mile of gravel to get to our driveway.
Our little heifer Blossom had her calf on Saturday and it’s a girl! Whoo hoo! Finally! I am leaning toward calling her Violet and Bill is advocating for Lily, but either way it will be a flower. Bonnie was convinced that it was her calf and probably fed it milk, which the calf shouldn’t have. She needs momma’s first colostrum! We milked Blossom and made a bottle for “Violet”, but she wasn’t interested. Too full. We saved the precious colostrum and warmed up the bottle Sunday morning. Then she drank it right down. They HAVE to have colostrum, or they literally could die. I have farmers stop by occasionally asking for it when they have a cow die and they have to bottle feed the calf, but they need colostrum first!…
The Expo was a Success
Monday, April 8, 2024
Hello friends,
We survived the eclipse. I wasn’t worried, but it was interesting. A sign in the heavens. The farm was farther from the totality today than in 2017 so it was a little less dramatic. We were busy making cheese and every once in a while, we went outside to see what was going on. I big dark area around the sun surrounded by a rainbow in a complete circle. That was different. Then we finished the cheese. I don’t think the cows noticed anything was different.
The Expo was a success! I saw so many people that I haven’t seen in a long time. Some of them have been reading the newsletter all along. That is amazing. A surprising number of them have their own farms and of course they would be interested in farm life. We got to let people taste the samples which is important when choosing cheese, and we sold a good amount of cheese. All my grandchildren stopped by with their parents or other grandparents. It was a great day, and I was very tired at the end of it! Thank you, Alaina, for all your help!…
Eat Local and Organic Expo
Monday, April 1, 2024
Hello friends,
I trust that you all had a Happy and meaningful Resurrection Sunday. We did. After a very busy Saturday getting prepared, Bill, Mom, and I went to Atchison for our family celebration. All the grandchildren (3 of them) were there, and delicious food was abundant. The weather was 20 degrees cooler than here in Pleasanton, but we were prepared for that too. While we were gone, our helpers milked the cows and kept an eye on things. We kept our phones nearby, but the only message we got was that they were done, and all went well. A big sigh of happiness from us.
The apple and pear trees are in full bloom. Apparently, the frost didn’t damage the blossoms last week. Our little peach trees are just that, little. No peaches this year. My neighbor down the road has her garden plot already cultivated and ready to plant. I’m so far behind. My garden plot is covered with purple henbit flowers and last year’s tomato cages and other climbing plant supports. I planted my tomato, pepper, cabbage, and kohlrabi seeds inside, and they are up and going.
Last week we worked on cutting, packaging, and labeling aged cheese for the Eat Local and Organic Expo that is coming up this Saturday, April 6 from 9 to 3 at the Johnson County Community College. It’s packed into boxes, and back down on shelves in the cheese cave until we load up to go Saturday morning. This week we’re working on making lots of Pure Jersey Silk and Fromage Blanc. That’s the Greek style yogurt and the fresh spreading cheese respectively. How much can I haul up to the city? How much weight can the cooler handles endure? How strong are we to lift it into the car or truck? Hmm. Not sure, but you can bet we will be well stocked when we arrive. Remember, admission and parking are free, kids are welcome, and bring a cooler bag to carry home anything that should be kept cool while you peruse the wonderful booths. See you there!….
Bonnie had a Boy
Monday, March 25, 2024
Hello friends,
March madness is upon us! The first week of the tournament is a little crazy, and then it settles down. I don’t fill out the whole bracket, but I keep track of the teams as they advance. No local teams are left so we just enjoy basketball for the sport of it.
A little madness around here when two of the dairy cows found a way to get out of their pasture and attack the grass in a forbidden area. Literally, they acted like they were high on grass. They were kicking up their heels, running wildly in the wrong direction from the milking parlor. The other cows were concerned for them, thinking they were stuck behind the electric fence, and they were mooing at them. Then when it was time to milk, they acted like they didn’t know where to go. It looked all new. Strange. Everyone is now back where they belong.
Bonnie had her calf last Tuesday and it was a boy of course! Argh! God must know what he is doing, but all the bull calves are just not necessary. Bonnie has a pile of milk, but she has still not cleaned out after calving so she is not contributing to the milk supply yet. The next birth should be in about a month. Blossom is a heifer, so we’ll have to train her first…
Expo
Monday, March 18, 2024
Hello friends,
The pond is silent tonight. The frogs are probably burrowed deep in the warm mud or something. They will likely return to croaking tomorrow. It’s a little chilly for them. The cows are shedding like crazy and even though the thermometer dips below freezing, they can’t slow down the process once it has begun. Not to worry, they are quite comfortable in a wide range of temperatures.
We worked out the insurance paperwork issue for the Expo and we are officially good to go! I’m so glad about that. The Expo has always been a great event to kick off the local farmer’s season. Traditionally it has been before any of the farmer’s markets have begun and it helps some of them sign up CSA members. We’ll be bringing lots of aged cheese, fromage blanc, and Pure Jersey Silk. If you want to reserve items to make sure you get them, you can order ahead of time, and I’ll save it for you. I’ll have samples of the cheeses I’m bringing so you can taste them before you buy. Also, there is a discount for larger quantities like quarter rounds. It runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday April 6. Hosted by KC Healthy Kids for the KC Food Circle, admission and parking are free. I see there is even a free Kid Zone which I can only imagine what that is. Make plans to attend!…
Skyview Farm, LLC
Monday, March 11, 2024
Hello friends,
Another beautiful day! After all that rain last week, the warm sunshine is really pushing spring. The grass has grown, and the trees are budding. All those flowing trees are in their glory or just about ready to burst forth. The “laughing” frogs are at it again. Such a strange sound from the pond. Mom’s peonies are all sprouting, and I have hopes for beautiful flowers.
Bill and I had a great weekend. We left Friday, later than we originally planned, and seemingly drove through all the back roads to get to the Lake of the Ozarks. Those navigators are useful, but sometimes you have to take back control. There was a better route, but we got there and had a nice dinner. Then on Saturday we were at the Mathany Family Vineyard sampling, selling, visiting, and enjoying the day. It paid for our trip which was our goal. Then Sunday morning we found a state park and a hiking trail and really enjoyed ourselves. Refreshing. While we were gone, Stephen and Celia and the boys took care of everything. I think a good time was had by all!
It’s now official. Skyview Farm is now Skyview Farm, LLC, and Stephen and Celia are partners with us! YEAH! It will take a little while to figure out the best way to keep track of everything, but the agreement has been made and the papers have been signed. We are all very excited. Bill and I have strong capable helpers, and Stephen and Celia are joining the successful family business with a lot of the foundational work done. I am reinvigorated and motivated to help all of us to succeed….
Noisy in the Country
Monday, March 4, 2024
Hello friends,
Another warm springlike day. The frogs in the little pond behind the house are really noisy now. Then the train whistle blows about a mile away, just far enough to be romantic but not obnoxious. That sets the coyotes off howling, and then the neighbor’s dogs respond to probably both! Who says it’s quiet in the country?
Bonnie has been moved from the dry cows and steers to the milking herd. In a couple of weeks her baby is due, and we want her to be closer. Also, we let her get a little grain and alfalfa with the milkers. We are hoping for a heifer of course. As we move into the spring grass season, the cows spend less time eating hay and more time searching out those tender shoots of intensely nutritious grass. Then milk production begins to soar. I’m not sure if it will be as dramatic as in previous years because we have been feeding high quality (for the most part) alfalfa. All I know is that spring grass makes milk and we better be ready for it!….
Beautiful Weather for February
Monday, February 26, 2024
Hello friends,
What beautiful weather for February! Signs of spring are beginning all over. The birds are singing, the frogs have begun their song in the little pond behind the house, the tulips, daffodils, and crocuses are popping up. And yet, the forecast is calling for a day or so of winter this week. The cows are beginning to shed some winter fur around their necks and faces, but the majority of their bodies are still covered in a warm insulating winter coat.
Save the date for the Linn County Spring Farm Tour on May 18. That’s the day that we will be showing you where we milk the cows, make the cheese, and you can even taste some samples. It has been a great time for the last two years so mark your calendars now. There will be other farms to visit all over the county so there will be plenty to see and do….
Casey had a Bull Calf
Monday, February 19, 2024
Hello friends,
Just getting home this evening after Bill and I made a trip to the city to celebrate our 34th anniversary. It’s hard to believe that it has been that long, but so much life has happened during those years. Three children, three grandchildren, 25 Jersey cows, and a lot of stuff. It has been and continues to be an adventure. Dinner was great and we are safely home now.
Casey had her calf on Valentines Day, and we were all prepared to name a heifer. Bred with sexed semen, right? Well, it was a boy! I totally believe it. That’s nine to three lobsided toward bull calves this year. The good news is that everyone is healthy, and Casey is already past the colostrum phase and is contributing to the milk supply……
Casey’s Due
Monday, February 12, 2024
Hello friends,
A day of celebration for all Kansas City Chiefs fans! It was an exhausting game to watch. We tried to get our milking done a little early, but we still missed the first hour and a half. Apparently, we didn’t miss anything good. So many commentators are weighing in and we love listening to them ooh and ahh, but it really could have gone either way until the last touchdown. What a joyful ending to a stressful Super Bowl. Congratulations Chiefs! You did us proud.
Today is Casey’s due date and although she is “bagging” up, my opinion is that we will probably have to wait a couple more days. She is a bossy cow and is always wanting to come in the milking parlor before she is invited, which is very last. When we bought those 6 cows this fall, we were told that one of them was bred with sexed semen. She is the last one of the group to have her calf so we are expecting a heifer. 90% chance they say. We’ll see……
Cheese Dip
Monday, February 5, 2024
Hello friends,
February has arrived and its still winter, but I have heard the birds singing as if it were spring. The maple trees have those plump bud covers that will be covering the sidewalk soon. We were just starting to dry out a bit and then it rained all weekend, and we are soggy again. Our cow traffic rerouting has helped, but the warm sunshine that is supposed to arrive this week will probably do better than anything else.
The Superbowl is coming up next Sunday and maybe you have some company coming to watch the Chiefs beat the 49ers. I had a customer ask me about which cheese would make the best cheese dip, i.e. a substitute for the Velveta style cheese that is named in these recipes. Well, I have a couple of really high moisture cheeses like Gouda or Himmelsburg that melt easily. How to keep the butterfat from separating out when heated, that is the trick. Stephen researched it and discovered an ingredient that helps keep it all together, sodium citrate. You can buy it as a supplement, or you can make it from lemon juice or citric acid and baking soda. Unless you want the lemon flavor with the seasonings you use, I’d recommend using citric acid. Make a mixture of 5 parts baking soda to 4 parts citric acid. When water is added, these will react to form sodium citrate. Here is the recipe that we tried:
Add a tablespoon or so of water to 2 teaspoons of the baking soda/citric acid mixture. When it is done bubbling pour this into a saucepan over low heat and add a ¼ cup beer, about 1 wedge of grated high moisture cheese (like our Gouda or Himmelsburg), your own seasonings like chili powder, or Rotella. Stir until cheese melts and texture is smooth. The flavor of the cheese really shines through and is incomparable to using more highly processed cheeses….
The Sun Returns
Monday, January 29, 2024
Hello friends,
Congratulations to the Chiefs! Can you believe it? Oh my! Mom is such a trooper watching every game, good, bad, and everything in between. Bill and I are interested, but it’s too emotional to watch when they are not doing well. We float in and out of Mom’s room, keeping track of what’s going on. Then when it’s over, we watch all the highlights. Fair weather fans? Guilty. We’ve been very happy lately.
The sun finally appeared on Sunday, and it is so therapeutic. Warm sunshine does something for the soul after weeks of challenging weather. Instead of hibernating inside trying to get motivated, all the projects seem much more inviting and accomplishable. We spent some time looking at the mud behind the creamery and plotting and planning the short- and long-term solutions. We have a few more cows now, and with the inclement weather, they spent more time in their shelter and getting water from the heated stock tank instead of the pond. In general, their hooves have been tearing up the sod in their holding area creating a lot of mud. We are resting one whole area now and routing the path to the milking parlor in another direction. Step one…..