U Is For Us

Bremer Farms is a family affair. Farming takes all of us working as a team to get the jobs done. While Farmer John and I are baling hay, Sara and Michael were feeding and milking the cows.

This is the tractor that I drive. I am pulling the baler which makes square bales.

This is my view while driving the tractor. The light colored stripes on the field is the hay (alfalfa) which has already been cut down into rows. The hay typically lays for a couple days to dry before being baled.

While I am driving the baler, John is picking up the bales using a New Holland Automatic Bale Wagon. Watch the video below to see how it works. I think it is amazing and it sure beats handling all those hay bales by hand like we used to do when John and I were kids!

After the bales are picked up from the hay field, John drives the bale wagon into the hay shed where the bales, with the flip of a lever, are automatically unloaded into a neat pile.

These square bales are fed to our calves and younger cattle. Square bales, which are 16" x 16" x 32" are more convenient and easier for us to bring to the barns where these animals live. We feed about 75 square bales per week. 
We also make large round bales.

Round bales are 4 feet by 4 feet, and are used to feed our cows. Because of their size, they are brought in from the field in a different way. Take a look.

We use about 20 round bales per week. They are stored in another hay barn until they are used.

We can typically  harvest our hay crop 3-4 times during its growing season. It takes about 30 days for alfalfa to grow to be ready for another cutting. It is a really satisfying feeling knowing that when we are finished we will have quality feed for our animals.

PS- Did you know 97% of farms are family owned?

Don't forget to pledge to have your 3 servings of dairy each day.

 

V Is For Versatile

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

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

  V Is For Versatile

"Versatile-able to adapt or be adapted to many different functions or activities"
Today's post was supposed to be all about tractors; how we use them, and how they adapt to help with most of the chores and fieldwork we do here on Bremer Farms. That's where versatile comes in.

 Instead, I'm taking a twist and sharing with you how versatile farmers need to be. Here's what happened today...

Thanks to the cooperative weather, Grandpa Roy cut down a lot of alfalfa so that we could begin baling. Normally we would be well into the baling process, but since we have had rain nearly every other day, (not ideal conditions to dry the hay before baling) we have been chopping the hay. While Roy continued cutting, Farmer John began baling. Today he made round bales.

Did I mention daughter Sara has been gone attending a Google Camp in Milwaukee, Wisconsin?  It's a week long camp for teachers, and it's devoted to using new technology in the classroom. We are thrilled she had the opportunity to attend, but since she is one of our evening milkers, adjustments needed to be made. No biggie...we're versatile! Son Michael has been coming home early from his job at the TV station to fill in for Sara. 

After evening milking, our family usually sits down to dinner about 7:30, but not tonight. After milking John and Michael picked up the round bales from the field to bring to the hay shed. Take a peek-

Since they were busy in the hay field, after I returned home from attending a dairy meeting,  I hopped on the lawn mower and cut the grass. All the rain we have been blessed with makes our yard look green and lush, but it's growing like crazy!

So at 9:30 we finally sat down to a gourmet meal of hot dogs and salad.
When folks ask me what a typical day on the farm is like, I have a difficult time finding an answer. Every day is different. We're versatile... like our tractors!

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

V Is For Veterinarian 

and

V Is For Video