Cycles of Farming & Seasons of Change

Well the time has come for us to say goodbye to the majority of the cattle we have been feeding since October.  We will keep a couple back so we can refill our own freezers with beef.   They will feed those until July.  I am wondering if anyone would be interested in a post about raising our own beef to eat?

Sometimes we keep them a little longer and sometimes we sell early.  The market on cattle was quite high when we bought them but has since fell.  Once they are sold we will sit down and review our expenses and see how it turns out.

Sorting cattle.

Life as a farming family is one that there are no guarantees, so we will take what has been provided and know that we will be sustained by the Lord.  We put our trust in HIM and not what is to be produced in the field or cattle pen first.

As the  days get longer and the flowers and trees begin to turn with colors, we too will awaken to a new start.  When April rolls around Milton will begin planting corn.  Which will be followed by soybeans and then grain sorghum (milo).  Before we know it our wheat that has been quiet and dormant all winter will be yellow and ready to harvest.  The cycle of farming is still as it has always been but with each new season comes different things.

We want to thank our readers for following our blog about farming, family, and our faith in God. We are placed here on earth to share HIS ways, we hope through this blog and our farm life we do that justice.

Thanks for stopping by!
Julie

Combines, Cattle, and the Slowness of Winter

Life on the farm becomes a slower pace for us in the winter.  Since we only have feeder calves for livestock we are different from other ranchers/farmers. For example my friend Laurie over at Country Linked they have a different operation for livestock or Jennifer at Heim Dairy as well.   Our main income is from our grain crops we raise, but during the winter we feed the calves to supplement income.  And give my father in law and husband something to do, like that ever really runs out! NOT!

The calves are usually delivered in October or November.  We have a cattle buyer that my father in law has worked with for years.  He goes to the sale and purchases for us and delivers by semi to our farm location.  Usually it's in  two or three different loads at various times.

Once the calves have settled for a day we will work the them.  This entails us giving them shots and branding them.  To be honest I really enjoy helping with this part of the livestock operation.

It brings back memories of my childhood days.  My posts Fall Farm Happenings and Time to Sell show some of the livestock we have had and what occurs. Some people are against working cattle like we do, but my philosphy is this.  If you don't like that type of meat or grain, don't buy it. Agree to disagree.











The end of they year is a time when our farm really looks at what we have done in the past year and gets our things ready for the new year.  Our farm year end is not December 31st, so it's not so much for us to get ready for tax time.  It's more about reviewing what we bought, sold, and what is left.  Also how we want to look at the following year.   Although we review things throughout the year, one can take a deeper look due to the slower pace of life.

This year it was finally time for Milton and I to purchase a combine.  This isn't something you take lightly as a used one can be as pricey as a home.   We have been talking, thinking, researching, and praying on it for about two years.  2014 marked the time for us to make a purchase.

I am excited about this purchase because I was a part of it and learned things.  I was able to witness my husband's knowledge about farm machinery and taking our time gave us the opportunity to discuss it until we both agreed.

I promise better pictures later!

Our new to us combine isn't at the farm yet, but just like the cattle buyer, it comes from someone we trust.  Someone they bought their last combine from.  Building relationships is very important not only in farm life but in life in general.  In this internet, world wide web, social media world it's good to just be able to shake hands, discuss face to face, and know that your gut is feeling good with the choice.

Our winter is spent with my husband waking early to feed the livestock and review our other farm equipment, do farm books, and search for a new combine header.  Before we know it he will be planting, harvesting, and working long days.  So we will relish our slower than normal days now, even if it's bitterly cold out!

Thanks for stopping by!
Julie