Archive for the ‘Cows’ Category

Chloe is a mom … again!

Friday, June 18th, 2010

Chloe had her third calf last Sunday evening. She had Clara, her second calf just last July. We had had her in with Hank, the bull, last September and, well, what can we say? … she is a fertile-Mertle!

It's called "labor" for a reason!

She had started into labor about 2 pm and delivered a beautiful, big heifer calf by about 5 pm. Our son Nick had brought the grandkids by for a little birthday celebration for Ari, our grandson, and just as they arrived Chloe delivered. So we all went up to the pasture and while I was snapping a few pictures, Ari and Jennifer were admiring the flowering clover in the pasture. We needed a name that started with a “C”, so Clover is it! —PS

Rockhill's newest arrival, Clover, getting a little bath from mom.

Rockhill's newest arrival, Clover & mom.

Harvest Market at Rockhill

Friday, June 18th, 2010

Our opening day for the farmstand and the Harvest Market at Rockhill was almost a month ago. We had more than 140 visitors despite the cold and blustery weather. The Dry Lake Band treated us to some great blue grass … a few of them may have had blue fingers by the end of the day.

The Dry Lake Band from Logan performed some great music.

The Dry Lake Band from Logan performed some great music.

We had set up our remaining hay bales to serve as both the stage backdrop and bleachers for the guests.

Our guests were treated to some great foot-stomping tunes.

Our guests were treated to some great foot-stomping tunes.

We can only use our hay barn for something like this in May and early June … then we start to fill it back up with hay for the coming year.

Many visited the girls while listening to the band.

Many visited the girls while listening to the band.

We have only had one nice day so far this season for the Market. But tomorrow looks to be perfect. Hope you can visit. — PS

Comings and goings

Thursday, June 10th, 2010

Our two beautiful twins heifers, Iris and Isabelle, have found a new home. As you will recall, the twins – Iggy’s daughters – were born last summer. Since we are long on milk cows here on the farm, we decided to sell the twins.

twins

Lucky for us, they have found a farm just down the road at Appenzell Farm. We couldn’t be happier. We know the girls will be treated wonderfully. And the Corbridge family has a year or so to consider whether they REALLY want to milk cows every day, twice a day, 365 days a year (as Pete frequently likes to remind anyone who asks).

Iris and Isabelle will be old enough to breed and begin the adult life of a dairy cow by next summer. In the meantime, they get to eat grass, greet visitors, and take in the beautiful vista.

We are feeling rather rich with cows right now because we have three soon to calve. Heide, Chloe and Elsie are HUGE! They have been lounging around putting all their energy into their babies for the last two months.

We are expecting three new little ones any day now. Our calculations put Heide’s due date tomorrow.

I have to admit that I am looking forward to the additional milk. Since those three girls have been dried up, my cheese makes are pitiful. A full day of cheese making results in only three to four wheels each make. I’m ready to get back to a full vat of milk and more wheels to ripen for a future day. — jh