October already! The leaves are changing…the weather is cooler. Maybe it’s because I’m getting older, but the days seem to be passing at an alarming rate!
The fall calving season is well underway. It’s been very successful so far this year; we have even had 2 sets of twins! Unfortunately, we did lose one, but the other 3 are doing well. All of the mommas have been protecting their babies from their predators, and we are about to get our largest calf crop ever! Continue reading The Saga Of Number Nine Bovine→
The hot temperatures of August continually dropped, due to the cooler winds blowing in all day. It was a welcome relief to The Farmer as he toiled about his daily chores. And tonight, as he slipped into bed, the distant thunder rolling through the clouds began to lull The Farmer into a much needed night of rest.
The welcome sound of the peaceful rain lightly falling upon the metal roof of the barn began to slowly wash away all active thoughts of the busy day. How nice it would be to get a rain this time of year, when normally the weather was hot and dry.
Nevertheless, the rumble of the incoming storm wasn’t too far away, and the flash of lightening that quickly followed lit up the sky. And then a closer rumble and a loud boom—another flash of lightening—more rumbling—longer and deeper—and a brighter flash shooting across the skyline. And then suddenly…Crash! Boom! The heavens opened up, as barrels of water were dumped from the sky! Then there was no distance between the crash of the thunder… the flash of the lightening… and BOOM! …The Farmer was startled from sleep as the walls of his room were shaken!
As he walked through the house checking to make sure all was secure, his thoughts were consumed with the dread of disaster that awaited him in the morning. There would be no more rest for The Farmer that night.
As we all know, Missouri weather tends to be very unpredictable, and this year we’ve seen a lot of storms blow in. One stormy night, not too long ago, we got 6” of rain and another 4” a few days later. You can imagine how hard and wicked the rain had to come to get that much water on the ground.
Needless to say, that causes a lot of flooding anywhere there is water. And where there is flooding there are fallen trees in the field, debris left behind by rising creeks, and washed away water gaps. And with a gravel driveway, that goes up hill both ways, that much water, in that short of time, washes all the rock right into the hayfields. This has kept The Farmer very busy.
Another problem arising is that he hasn’t been able to get into the hayfield to actually get up the hay. Although he has a lot of his hay up, he needs another cutting or two to get enough to get us through the winter. However, on the bright side, it’s the middle of August and we have GREEN pastures! So, for now, the cows are very happy!
There was a certain peacefulness in the air, the rustle of the autumn leaves, the damp smell of a recent shower, and the gentle breeze wafting through her graying hair. Although it had not always been this way, at
this very moment, she was content. Life’s vanishing moments played in the recesses of her memories. She found herself smiling at the remembrances of her beautiful children, and a small tear escaped down her cheek. Quiet laughter exhaled through her lips thinking of all the impractical moments they also had shared. There had been wearisome times, of course, but they didn’t matter anymore, and were always quickly forgotten.
But as she reclined in the Meadow of Time Past, there were other memories that would never be forgotten, these memories were of the Knight. Not a large champion, as some would think of a knight, but a common man of high character and moral tenacity. And although her Knight no longer possessed the strength of a horse or the agility of a lion, his other striking traits remained. The way his blue eyes pierced deep into her soul, knowing what must be said or done to heal her troubled heart; or the way he continually stood before her, protecting her from impending danger. The Knight was a man of truth, morality, and grit. There were no others like him in the land, aside from his posterity.
She always felt safe when he was near. As they battled the giants, the dragons, and fought through the dangers that surrounded them, he led the way. The Knight always had his sword drawn. Even at times of peace when she would ask him to put it into his sheath, he would never give in to her insistent pleas, knowing that danger always lurked nearby.
Day after day, the Knight’s calloused hand would close around the dainty hand of the Lady, as they battled up the hill. Together they faced giants, dragons, and evil authorities. There were times of celebration, tragedy, and even abandonment, but they always faced these times together and their hearts became as one. He, leading the way, wielded his sword at all danger, and she was safely protected in his shadow. And now, nearing the end of the battle, she knew the Knight had done his job well. She was confident that one day when he stood before his Lord, he would hear him say, “Well done, thy good and faithful servant.”
Although I am not foolish enough to think that my life is perfect and that my husband is my knight in shining armor, I am wise enough to know that I have a great family and a great husband. He’s not perfect, but neither am I, but we have become perfect for each other.
But since today is our 38th anniversary, I wanted to let The Farmer know that I do appreciate his leadership in our family. And no, we haven’t fought any literal giants, dragons, or evil authorities (well maybe evil authorities), but we have fought against the Giants of Debt, Doubt, and Despair. And continually slay the dragons named Sickness, Indecision, and Busyness.
But together, and with God’s guidance, and the sword of Wisdom, we have survived. We have throttled the statistical dragon of divorce and infidelity, we have killed the giant of non-communication, and we have nourished the meadows of Love, Contentment, and Family.
The Farmer has been busy for the last several months designing and building his little home away from home–his office/workshop. When he made the decision to retire, we both knew that neither one of us wanted each other to be underfoot too much. So it was decided that he had to have a place to escape to (or be sent to). J
During the late spring, summer, and early fall months, hasn’t been a problem. If the sun is shining, he’s outside. But as the long, dreary days of winter quickly approach, he’s going to be needing a place to burrow into to make his phone calls, text his buddies, and plan his endless “to do” lists. (insert workaholic here).
The shed (aka garage) had been built years ago, but never insulated. So we are in the process of transforming it into a dry, warm haven just for him. Earlier we put some tin on the walls and insulated them (you can read about that little adventure >>>Here), but we never finished the ceiling and lights and insulation.
We’ve talked about it lots, but each time The Farmer would bring it up, I felt dread and despair sink into my very being at the thought of walking on ladders or scaffolding or anything else that would put me 9 feet up off the concrete floors (a little too dramatic? Hey, you ain’t heard nothing yet!).
At any rate, I whined, complained, begged, pleaded, plotted and prayed until he promised to hire someone to help. So my job was outsourced to a couple of capable carpenters who has done a fantastic job!
Of course, The Farmer had to rent a machine so he could wipe down the shed (more toys)
Daughter #5 got to take it for a test drive.
After they are finished, we will still have a little work to do, but keeping with the outsourcing, I think we can get a neighbor to help with the insulation, and a heating/cooling expert to put in the furnace. Looks like The Farmer will be moving into his office by the end of October!
Well, this year is quickly passing by, harvesting cattle is an annual event that happens right smack dab in the middle of the year, and we just had it. Last week our customers visited the farm to pick up their beef. Each year as the time approaches, I envision meeting our new customers and embracing our old friends (not “old” but, well-acquainted friends). Unfortunately, it never works out like I imagine.
In my mind… I see The Farmer and I greeting our customers and leading them over to their nicely packaged frozen beef. Telling them the history of their calf, showing them the grazing fields, and letting them enjoy the serenity of the farm.
But in reality, The Farmer and I get up early to make a mad dash to the processor’s. Finding all of our orders, the workers bring the frozen meat outside (in 75 degree weather), and The Farmer and I frantically throw the beef (over 2,000 pounds this year) into all different sizes of boxes. As The Farmer quickly loads the boxes, I’m busy checking off all of the orders and making sure everyone has everything expected.
We jump into the truck, and rush back to the farm, taking all the shortcuts we can, over crooked, curvy back roads. Approaching the farm, we see everyone eagerly awaiting our (their beef’s) arrival.
I get out to greet everyone (and collect money), The Farmer begins to unload boxes, and in a whirlwind of activity, smiling faces, and joyous farewells, I find myself standing on the porch waving goodbye to a late-coming customer, and watching The Farmer take off to do another chore.
Not quite the “Rockwell” moment I had envisioned.
But maybe we’ll have more time next year.
Thanks to everyone who purchased our beef. We do appreciate your business!
Much of the nation has been experiencing drought conditions the last couple of years. In fact, two years ago, because things were so dry, hay production was very low. Due to the shortage of hay, it became a very “hot” commodity. We had to buy a lot of hay during the winter, and it was very expensive! (Supply and demand—capitalism at work!) The large, round bales of hay that historically cost $25-$35 a bale, were selling for $55-$65. We even heard of someone paying (well, charging) $90 a bale!
Last year was a little bit better, or we were a lot more prepared. We had enough hay to feed the cattle through the winter, and we still have a few bales leftover to feed cattle that are put in the lot for various reasons.
We are not out of the drought conditions, yet. In fact, our farm sits in an area that the old-timers used to call Dry Branch–possibly because the rains seem to keep going around us. At times, we see a storm moving in, and then it begins to clear up and looks like a completely different weather pattern.
During the last couple of months, we have been praying for rain…the situation was getting serious. The fields were thin, the grasses were not growing, and we were wondering what we would do for hay for the coming winter. But thankfully, this month we have been blessed and over-blessed with rains, here on the farm. Now The Farmer has another problem…the rain is keeping him from cutting the hay!
He only needs three straight days of good sunshine to cut a field, rake it, and bale it. Unfortunately, the weatherman keeps predicting “chances” for afternoon, morning, or evening showers. His latest prediction looked like this:
So understandably, The Farmer is a little hesitant about laying any grass on the ground. But like all ventures here on the farm, he’s going to eventually just take a chance and hope for the best.
Traditionally, The Farmer begins cutting hay in May, when plants have the fewest seed heads and leaves contain the most nutrients. After the hay begins to seed, the nutrients leave the leaves and go up into the seed. The early cuttings in May produce quality hay.
Unfortunately, hay season is off to a slow start this year. The combination of late snowstorms into April, the cool (downright cold) days of spring, and then the drought conditions that are still lingering through this month have stalled the growth of spring grasses.
The Farmer was able to put up a few bales, but we are in need of a lot more before hay season ends.
“Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. Thy hay appereth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered.”
When I look at people who have been working for a long time, it seems to me that they all fall into at least three different groups when it comes to the subject of retirement:
1) Those who fear retirement, 2) Those who can’t seem to acquire enough for retirement, and 3) Those who use work as a means to retirement.
The Farmer belongs to the last group. He’s a hard worker, and he has used a lot of his hard-working years to save up for retirement. He has never been able to sit and enjoy taking time off. I think it’s because he’s had his eye on a greater goal
retirement.
He typically left the house very early, and had at least a 45-minute drive to work. He was very diligent; working in the rain, snow, sleet and hail (the postman had nothing on him). He would often work late, go to bed early, and get up “Grumpy” (me), so I could fix his lunch for the day.
However, that has all changed. He has retired from his “real” job, and he’s learning to live an entirely different way. He’s sleeping in a bit later (I’m afraid that may change when the weather gets warmer), he refuses to go out and work in the rain or snow, and he’s spending way too much time contemplating.
As a son of a farmer, he learned early to work hard. He began following his father around and helping him with whatever he was doing. In fact, some of his most precious memories are chasing his dad out the door as he went out to do some work on the farm. They were always fixing vehicles and machinery or repairing fences. Lots of time was spent clearing the land, picking up rocks, and creating brush piles. And of course there was always wood to be cut, animals to be tended to, and an occasional building project.
Although he has retired from his real job, he has not retired from farming. These next few years are the years we have both been working towards; the years we can spend enjoying the farm. We are raising cattle, instead of building the herd. We get to look out off our porch at fields of grasses, instead of clearing land. And we get to enjoy the things around us, instead of always wanting more.
Oh, that doesn’t mean there won’t be building projects, and machinery to work on, or fences that will need mending, but for the most part he has plans of putting up hay, watching the cattle grow, and enjoying all that God has allowed us to acquire.
This brings to mind a story in which Christ told concerning covetousness. He said that a farmer spent his whole life building for himself. He had land, built barns, and gained riches. One day he stopped and looked at all he had acquired and decided to tear his barns down and build bigger barns to hold more of the things that he wanted. But before he could do that, God ended his life here on earth.
The Bible records that he was a fool, not because he achieved so much, but because as he gained everything he could to benefit himself, and never gave thought to prepare for eternity. Jesus said, “…beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses.” But we are to seek God’s redemption first, and then live according to His blessings.
“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Mark 8:36
No matter what riches you have this side of Heaven (or lack thereof), if you do not prepare for eternity, in the end you will lose everything.
“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Luke 12:34
Although our beef is not certified organic, we do meet the standards for organic beef.
In order to be an organic certified farm, we would have to follow certain rules set up by certain watchdogs, and jump through certain loopholes set up by certain lobbyists. As a “mom and pop” operation, we have neither the desire nor resources to bow to these bureaucrats.
Therefore, we hold ourselves accountable to keep our beef product equal to, or above, the standards set by the National Organic Program found in the Code of Federal Regulations. (Code of Federal Regulations of Certified Livestock)
Herein stated:
(a)We provide livestock with a total feed ration composed of agricultural products, including pasture and forage, that are organically produced and handled
(b)We do not:
a.Use animal drugs, including hormones, to promote growth
b.Provide feed supplements or additives in amounts above those needed for adequate nutrition and health maintenance
c.Feed plastic pellets for roughage
d.Feed formulas containing urea or manure
e.Feed mammalian slaughter by-products
f.Use feed, feed additives, and feed supplements in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
g.Provide feed or forage to which any antibiotic has been added
h.Prevent, withhold, restrain, or otherwise restrict our animals from actively obtaining feed grazed from pasture during the grazing season
(c)During the grazing season we:
a.Do not feed our cattle more than 30% dry matter, and then only in dire situations
b.Our beef cattle graze on lush, green pastures for more than the 120 days required by certification
So, Yes…our cattle are Organic, just not Certified.
For information on buying our beef, click >>HERE<<, or go to the Buying Beef tab at the top of this page.
Anyone ready for summer? I certainly am. I’m not only tired of the cold weather, but I’m also ready to refill my freezer.
I always get a little testy this time of year, because all I have left in my freezer is one-pound packages of ground beef.
Our steaks are usually eaten up before winter comes along, because we use them through the BBQ season, along with a lot of our hamburger patties (which we I gladly pay extra for). Then we go through the roasts and stew meats. And now we only have ground beef. I’ve often joked about writing a cookbook on 1,001 ways to cook ground beef, since we use it so often.
I really should be more thankful, since there have been times (when all the kids were home) when the freezer was completely bare before the next harvest. Fortunately, it won’t be long until I’m giving away all the extra liver, heart, and tongue we have left over from last year to make room for the beef for this year.
In fact, we are taking orders now for an expected delivery in June.
If you are interested in ordering any beef, please click >>>Here<<<, or the “Buying Beef“tab at the top of the page.
Or request a beef by filling out our Contact Form.
