H Is For Haylage

Bremer Farms has been busy stocking the cow's pantry this week. We began chopping hay that we will feed to our dairy cows. Haylage is green, freshly cut alfalfa that is cut a few days earlier, then chopped to be served to our cows later.  This is a good alternative to baling hay which requires that the alfalfa be drier.

 

This was my first time running the chopper. I had a beautiful view of a beautiful day, but it took me awhile to get the hang of the chopper biz. After broken parts, and a broken chain, which I thought was something I did, Farmer John came to my rescue, and assured me that "it was their time to go, and I had nothing to do with it." Was he being honest, or just kind? Either way he let me keep my job, so off I went again.

I spent much of  my time looking over my shoulder to make sure everything was running smoothly. All was well until I hit a rather large gopher mound which was hidden beneath the freshly cut row of hay. Everything jammed up. For you experienced chopper drivers, I know now what I should have done to avoid this problem, but give me a break, I'm a rookie. Anyway... it was now 8:30 PM, so in I went from the field, where Farmer John, Sara and I unplugged the chopper, so we are ready to go again...after supper, showers, and a good night's sleep.

This video, from my You Tube page, shows the chopping process in a previous year. 

 Once the haylage leaves the field it is stored in a concrete bunker until it is fed to our cows. The haylage is  tightly packed, using a tractor, or, in this video, a payloader. This reduces the air from causing the haylage to rot. The end of this video shows unloading the wagon that just came from the field. After it is unloaded, the payloader adds the haylage to the pile which is being packed.

The final step is to cover the fresh haylage with a plastic sheet, weighed down with discarded tires. This is again to keep the haylage from rotting. We only serve healthy food for our cows!

Framer John has "invited" me to run the chopper again today. Wish me luck!

Speaking of luck...do you feel lucky?

Enter to win The Dairy Good Cookbook from My Barnyard View. Time is almost up so do it today. Thanks, and Happy June Dairy Month!

 

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M Is For Milk

I'm taking you on a journey from A to Z throughout June Dairy Month.

So come on in...the barn doors are open!

  M Is For Milk

I would have to hang my head in shame if M did not stand for milk during June Dairy Month! Although my fellow dairy farmers are extremely wonderful and supportive people, I fear there would be snickering behind my back if I did not devote this post to milk. No problem, there are so many good things to share about milk!

You may also want to read my previous years posts for June Dairy Month...

M Is For Milk Life 

and

M Is For Milk 

The Dairy Good Cookbook giveaway ends soon. Don't delay...enter today!

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H Is For History

I'm taking you on a journey from A to Z throughout June Dairy Month.

So come on in...the barn doors are open!

  H Is For History

My dad was a farmer all his life, so as my mom and I continue to sort through his belongings since he passed away, it is no surprise that we often find articles relating to farming. One of our recent finds is this handbook for young dairymen, dated 1952.

 It covers a lot of useful information about raising healthy calves, preparing cattle for the county fair, and producing high quality milk. But just like everything from days gone by, things change and improve.

The average dairy herd in 1952 was seven cows. Grandpa Roy started Bremer Farms in 1952 with three cows. The current United States average herd size is 130 cows, which is what we now milk. Thank goodness we no longer use this method of feeding our cows hay. 

 Farmer John remembers when milk was stored in these cans, and kept cool in a water bath until it was picked up by the truck to be taken to the milk processing plant. Bremer Farms still has the water cooling tank inside the building we now use as our tool shed. Click this link to learn how we now cool our milk.

 But not everything has changed over the years. This quote from the introduction of the Young Dairymen Handbook is still very true today. It's this deep desire that keeps us motivated to be the best dairy farmers we can be!

Have you entered my giveaway yet? Enter today for a chance to win The Dairy Good Cookbook. Good luck!

You may also want to read my previous years posts for June Dairy Month...
H Is For Holstein 

G Is For Giveaway

I'm taking you on a journey from A to Z throughout June Dairy Month.

So come on in...the barn doors are open!

  G Is For Giveaway!

We are having a celebration! 2015 is the 100th anniversary of the National Dairy Council. The National Dairy Council (NDC) is a non-profit organization, funded by farmers, which is committed to nutritional education and research based communications.

For 100 years, National Dairy Council (NDC), the non-profit organization funded by the national dairy checkoff program, is committed to nutrition education and research-based communications. - See more at: http://www.nationaldairycouncil.org/AboutNDC/Pages/AboutNDCLanding.aspx#sthash.yOzJbWvm.dpuf

For 100 years, National Dairy Council (NDC), the non-profit organization funded by the national dairy checkoff program, is committed to nutrition education and research-based communications. - See more at: http://www.nationaldairycouncil.org/AboutNDC/Pages/AboutNDCLanding.aspx#sthash.yOzJbWvm.dpuf

The Dairy Good Cookbook was produced in recognition of the 100 year anniversary of the National Dairy Council.

Get a glimpse of life on a dairy farm and celebrate classic comfort foods – as well as find new favorites – with The Dairy Good Cookbook.

 

  It’s more than a cookbook. It’s a way for each of us to learn where our food comes from and the dairy farm families around the nation that make milk, cheese, butter, yogurt, and all our other favorite dairy foods possible.

 The Dairy Good Cookbook is available at most bookstores and Amazon, or...
you can enter for a chance to win your very own copy right here! Thanks to Midwest Dairy Association you could be the lucky winner of this beautiful cookbook ($25.00 value.) Good luck!
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You may also want to read my previous years posts for June Dairy Month...
G Is For Games 
and
G Is For Growing