Holy Cows

The last month has brought quite a few changes here at Rockhill. We sold three of our ten (yes, we were feeding ten and milking five!!!) cows. A couple of years ago, we had quite the nice run with five heifer calves in a row. Well, this spring and summer, they all came of age.  
 
Luckily, last winter, a fellow from Midway had contacted us about buying as many as we could sell. He is starting his own small herd of Brown Swiss and his own cheese operation near Woodland, just outside of Kamas. Well, our calving schedule for the summer was completely messed up – as is usual for us, and we had to decide who to sell and who to keep. After much consideration, and quite a bit of soul-searching, we decided to sell him Ruby (who was dry at the time) and Bell (that’s Ingrid’s sister). So the day came to say goodbye to Ruby. We were sure she would act sad and reluctant. When we opened the trailer door, she ran down through the corral and literally leaped into the trailer. She was obviously looking for some excitement. Although Bell wasn’t quite as enthusiastic, she loaded very easily and off they went to their new home in the mountains of Summit County.  
 
And not a minute too soon. It was only a few weeks after Cecil picked them up that Bell had a nice bull calf. At the time, we had told Cecil of our worries about the effect of the summer’s heat on our old cow – Elsa. He told us then that he would be glad to buy her also, when we were ready. We figured the temperature at 7500 feet would be easier on the old girl than hanging around here for the rest of the summer. And Heide is due to calve, and thus come into milk, at the end of July. So we called Cecil when the heat really came on. He picked up Elsa a few weeks ago.  
 
And as of his latest report – Jen talked with him at last Saturday’s farmers market in Salt Lake – Elsa, Ruby and Bell are all quite enjoying their new digs and have settled in nicely. How lucky are those cows – to go from their pampered life here, to an even more pampered life in the shadow of Deer Valley Resort. We wish Cecil and Katie all the luck in their new endeavor, and eagerly await the promised pictures of the three girls in their new surroundings … which we will post here as soon as we get them. 
 
Speaking of lucky, we sold the two bull calves we had this spring – Flint and Ian – to a fellow in Castledale. He is going to raise them to be trained as Oxen. He wants to have them pull a wagon and other implements on his farm in central Utah. Now for anyone thinking that is hardly a lucky future, consider the most likely alternative! We were happy to see the two of them stay together and go to such an animal lover as Lance. We’ll post pictures of them in their new life when we get them as well. 
 
Last week, we had a visit from the wife and daughter of an old newspaper associate of mine. The three of them now live in Japan. Kaori and Kana spent a couple of days here. We had a great time with them and Kana, who loves all animals – except snakes – immersed herself in helping with the chores.-PS 
 
 
Kana feeding Ione with unwanted help from one of the older Holstein calves.

It’s been a busy, busy last few months here at Rockhill. After a very long winter and lingering spring, summer is finally here (along with irrigation season … groan).
Ingrid gave birth to an astonishingly beautiful bull calf in May. He recently joined Flint and Ione on the pasture. The three love to curl up together and sun themselves in the heat of the day. Even when it’s 90 degrees out!
The flora is doing well also. After a very late start, we planted tomatoes, basil, peppers, arugula and all the other necessities.
But it’s the flowers that steal my heart. (Warning! Stop now if you can’t stomach talk about floooowwwers!)
A week or so ago, the front of the creamery was lined with white foxtail lilies and pink-and-white striped tulips. Gorgeous. Especially against the backdrop of our handsome new aging room. 
 
 

 
 

Each morning as I enter the creamery, I have to stop and admire the beautiful clematis vine I planted last year near the entry door. I love white flowers, so I chose the vine for its blossom. But the icing on the cake was it’s name: Guernsey Cream. So fitting.
I can’t wait for the Mammoth sunflowers we planted on the south side of the calf barn to grow tall and bloom. They will greet visitors to our farmstand on Saturdays as they drive up the dirt road.
Yay. Summer is finally here.
Sunshine. Warmth. Good cheese. Good friends. Cheers. — jh