Life on the farm through the eyes of a first-generation farm wife
Bulls are the backbone of any cow herd and bad genetics or a faulty bull can mean open (non-pregnant) cows. Bulls are on the farm to breed cows and cows are on the farm to have calves. If one of those two things don't happen, you don't have a productive or profitable herd. Bulls are one of the biggest investments for any working ranch so getting the right guy is very important.
Like many big events, the Kansas Farm Bureau 2020 Annual Meeting is moving online. That's bad new for those of us who enjoy connecting with long-lost farm friends during the meeting. But it's good news for everyone who has wanted to - and tried - to attend the meting but can't seem to get away … Continue reading Kansas Farm Bureau Annual Meeting Goes Virtual – Join Us!
The days run into weeks and the weeks into months. This morning I read a meme that reminded us that this was our 10th Monday in quarantine. Where has the time gone? And I don't say it in the dreamy, reminiscent tone. I say it in the 'I can't believe we are still doing this' … Continue reading Week 8 & 9: I’ve lost track
I didn't grow up with pets. For a few years we had a goldfish that I'm pretty sure was actually a dozen different fish my parents rotated through after one died off or we starved it to death. We finally adopted a dog when I was in middle school and I remember being frustrated by … Continue reading The Value of Animals
My husband has spent the better part of the last 10 days behind the wheel of his yellow 18-wheeler. We had cows at our farm this winter and now it’s time to send them east to enjoy a summer grazing in the Kansas Flint Hills. The state of Kansas has more cows than people – … Continue reading Using Our Resources
Sometimes talking about farming means talking about the weather. Because at the end of the day, a successful crop is dependent on plenty of sunshine, productive rains and consistent cycles of warm and cool temps. When a local reporter texted earlier this week to see if we want to talk about how happy we … Continue reading Mud, Mud Go Away
As a working mother of two boys who is married to a farmer with an 80-plus-hour-a-week job, I am instantly drawn to the articles or Ted Talks that promises to deliver the secrete to work-life balance. I'm always searching for it, wondering if I've made it and then, sadly, realizing I may never find it. … Continue reading Work-Life Balance, Farm Style
My farmer hubs proposed to me almost one year to the day after our first date. Whether he would admit it or not, I knew we would get married about six months in. I spent the next six months waiting for him to pop the question. After we were engaged my farmer explained that he … Continue reading The Seasons of Farming
An inside look at mother cows and their calves - and another reminder that mothers rock!
Ranchers Work to Keep Livestock Safe As Fire Rips Through Ranches We have a few hundred cows, calves and steers on our farm and on pastures across the state. My husband is responsible for the well-being of ALL of them, 365 days a year, rain or shine, holiday or weekday. When snow falls or the rains … Continue reading #AnimalCare
