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Is your farming operation looking to expand? Are you currently milking in a tiestall barn and looking to upgrade into a freestall barn with a milking parlor? Or, maybe your current barn and parlor need updated. Completely changing your facilities and day-to-day operations can be very overwhelming. You’re so used to doing things a certain way, at least twice a day, and although it might be labor intensive, switching to something more labor friendly might seem daunting. If so, there are some key features I feel are of utmost importance when looking into building or upgrading a freestall barn and parlor.
Two tiny toads ate fat flying flies. No, you are not being challenged with a tongue twister, but do you remember playing the telephone game at 4-H or FFA meetings growing up?
I don’t have the time. There’s hay to make. I need to change the oil in the tractor. As farmers, we are good at coming up with reasons why we can’t do something. It’s easy to use our occupation as a crutch to say no. There are times when it’s healthy to say no or when life really is in the way, but, then there are other times we need to say yes when asked.
Over the last year, we have seen many unprecedented events. These events have sparked panic, anger, loss and hurt, making home life and work life difficult. Changes were quickly made, but many issues were left undone.
I started listening to independent country artists about four years ago, and one of my favorite songs by Texas band Flatland Cavalry goes: “On the other side of lonesome, there’s a place for you.”
June Dairy Month might be over, but the work to safeguard the future of animal agriculture and its value to society by bridging the communication gap between the farm and food communities is not. Farmers, companies, organizations and others are always working to build bridges and set the record straight about dairy. However, we always need more voices to join the conversation. Here are just a few examples of the great work being done and how you can get more involved in these efforts.
Last summer, in the height of the pandemic, a bad storm with straight-line winds went through our farm. The winds took out nine trees and a garage roof.
Direct selling of beef from the farm is often mentioned as a way you can generate extra revenue and profit margin on the farm with minimal input cost, so many farms are often tempted to take on a project like this. We are a few years into the process and are often asked for our advice from others who are thinking about attempting this sort of a project, so I am taking this time to write about our experience.
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