Cow Kids

Spring Show 2011

2011-03-15T14:58:00.000-07:00

The Michigan spring show is coming up and we started getting ready. So far we have washed 6 of the cows that we are taking (I believe that we are taking 10 or 11). We also brought one of our cows home to try to slim her down and milk her on our own. If you're confused here is why. We own a "hobby farm" so we just raise our animals and don't milk them. So back to the show. We have been tying up all our animals to get them broke to lead. We've also been leading them around to practice for showmanship and to get them to lead.

My dad is actually milking the cow right now and I just got done feeding. We also raise chickens but we haven't grown any meat chickens in a while, but we have gotten a lot of eggs. So thats what is new on our farm and I can't wait for the spring show.

--Eric

Dairy Days

2010-06-30T11:49:00.000-07:00

I'm really excited to do Dairy Days again this year. I'm doing a lot this year.

I'm going to..

Help at the Great Dairy Adventure
Judge Cows
Quiz Bowl
and Show the cows

--Eric

Summer

2010-06-30T11:41:00.000-07:00

Summer, its fun and very busy. I've already gone to 2 different camps and it's only June!! We already went camping, and my brother, Lucas, is going into high school!! So Lucas has a lot of practices for sports this year.

We've been catching and washing the heifers all week and have more to do to get ready for Dairy Days.. We are going to the Dairy Days at the MSU pavilion in July. Then we have our county fair 2 weeks after that. We clearly have a lot to do between halter breaking them, washing, and clipping the cows.

--Eric

Getting Ready

2010-03-20T08:03:00.000-07:00

Today is a big day because it is one week from the show! Right now my brother, Lucas, and my dad are at a friends farm washing Luke's cow for the sale. I just finished making our signs for this year and I'm waiting for them to get back. I'm also excited because I get to go to an inside pool with come of my friends from Taekwondo it's going to be awesome!!

--Eric

Preparation

2010-03-17T15:32:00.000-07:00

This past week we have been catching our cows and washing all the ones who will be going to the show next week. Today we washed two animals and trimming toe nails. We're also clipping the cows to trim off all of their winter fur. I have been working with my calf a lot because we have been trying to get her used to wearing a halter we had to untie her because she almost hung herself. I'm really excited for the show and I can't wait to show my Jersey calf and my Holstein.

--Eric

De-horning Calves

2010-02-21T14:53:00.000-08:00

I hate de-horning calves for 2 reasons:

It smells horrible
I hate watching it

Well, at least I didn't have to watch it this time because I didn't know my dad had done it.

--Eric

Judging and World Dairy Expo

2009-11-26T05:30:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving!!! I know its been a while since I've blogged, but now I am going to blog more. I'm so excited because my jersey cow had her calf!!!!!!!!! Also tomorrow I have dairy judging practice at MSU.

I also had a lot of fun at World Dairy Expo last month. It was my first time going and it was really fun. It was even more fun because my cousins were there and I got to wander more since I'm older now. If you didn't go this year the theme was Legendary.

Happy Thanksgiving,

--Eric

Fair time coming up

2009-07-30T07:09:00.000-07:00

We are now busy getting ready for the county fair that begins next week. Thankfully the cows are still looking pretty good so not much work needed there. Eric and Anna have art projects and cooking to bring in the next couple of days. Lucas is going to try showing chickens this year --should be an experience. The first trick will be giving them a bath. Not to sure about that one. How do you give a chicken a bath??? I will let you know next week.

Next week will not be as busy as Dairy Days so the kids will get more time to hang out with friends. Because we live in a rural area, there will be a lot of kids from their school at the fair so it will be a good time to catch up with everyone.

We will keep you posted.

Laura

Dairy day 3,4 and 5!

2009-07-26T18:47:00.000-07:00

I kind of lost steam after the first few days on the blogging! So here is a quick wrap-up of our week:

Wednesday brought the Great Dairy Adventure and thousands of local kids to the pavilion to learn about cows and milk and farming, etc. The dairy kids in the barn get a kick out of talking about what they do. Several volunteers work different stations each telling a different part about dairy farming. It is always enlightening to realize how little people know about where there food comes from -- which is why they can be easily swayed with the wrong information about modern farming practices. (I won't get on my soapbox about this now...maybe later!)

Wednesday night the Junior Holstein kids hosted a "party barn" with games and food. It is good for the kids to take a break from all the work and competition to just hang out together. For a lot of them they don't have many friends at home that understand their love of cows -- so it is good for these kids to have the time to get to know each other. I am sure some long-time friendships are being made this week.

Thursday was another early day with the Holstein and Jersey shows starting at 8:00. Lucas and Eric both had a better day then they did on Tuesday. Lucas had one animal named All-Michigan and one Res. Jr All-Michigan and Eric's Jersey was honorable mention Jr Champion of the Junior Show. In the afternoon they both had showmanship contests and Anna was in the pee-wee show. Her calf had come in heat the day before so she had to use one of Lucas' calves. She was a good sport about it considering she was really counting on showing Tammy.

Thursday night was the 4-H awards banquet. Eric did not do as well as he had last year so that was disappointing for him. But the Junior Team with Lucas and his friends did really well - first place in judging and third in quiz bowl.

Friday was an easy day since we were all done showing. The boys hung around to watch and help others and start tearing everything down. They were all back home by that evening.

It is a whirlwind week for sure -- but it builds memories for these kids that will last forever. We have one week home and then we are at the fair!

Laura

Showing Cee Cee

2009-07-26T18:34:00.000-07:00

For my first time showing by myself I took in Lucas' calf Cee Cee in for pee wee showmanship. I couldn't take in Tammy cause she was too frisky. Cee Cee was pretty big but she was good for me.

I really liked being at Dairy Days. I liked making the crafts at the Great Dairy Adventure. It is fun to be with my friends. Plus we get to sleep in our camper every night.

Anna

Summary of Dairy Days

2009-07-26T11:57:00.000-07:00

I had a lot of fun this past week at Dairy Days playing cards with my friends, showing, judging, management, quiz bowl.

After judging on Wednesday I helped at the Great Dairy Adventure. I dressed up in the big chocolate milk costume and me and my friend Tyler went around the barn. There were a ton of kids there!

On Thursday I was kind of bummed at the awards banquet because I didn't place for anything. :( But I did get a prize from the Jr. holstein Raffle which was really cool.

On Tuesday I got 3rd place in showmanship in 4-H. Then on Thursday I got Third place again in Showmanship for the STATE show!!!!!

At the Jersey show Misty was second in her class and was named honorable mention of the Jr show.

It was also really cool because a guy named Craig interviewed us for the blog and it will be a whole segment on the news!

Now we have one week to get ready for the county fair. I am working on a few projects to take in plus the heifers and a couple rabbits.

--Eric

Dairy Days #2!

2009-07-22T06:33:00.000-07:00

Yesterday got off to an early start with the boys and their dad in the wash rack by 4 a.m.! They like to beat the crowd in and get the animals washed early so they are dry for the show. The show started at 7:30 with showmanship. Both boys did well -- Lucas stood second and Eric stood third in their classes. Eric's Jersey just didn't like being in the ring and kept heading for the door so he got a work out! After showmanship the breed classes started they each showed the cows plus some friends from our county helped lead some out. It was a long day but they love it!

Last night was the first Mi Livestock Expo sale --three kids from the Dairy show got to sell items -- congrats to Levi, Tera and Lauren! They did a great job.

Today they boys are in the judging contest and Anna and I will be helping with the "Great Dairy Adventure." The fun keeps on....

Laura

Dairy Days #1

2009-07-20T23:47:00.000-07:00

We made it through the first day! The day started early at home washing the cattle and clipping them. There were cows tied up all around our yard because once they were clean and clipped we didn't want them getting all dirty again so they were tied at the swingset-- trees, tractors --anything that could hold a rope halter and a cow -- it was quite a sight! Once we got to MSU we had to put down the bedding and set everything up. Plus the cows had to be brought up too -- it was a long process! Tonight the boys both competed in the quiz bowl contest - Eric in the novice division and Lucas in the junior division. They both did really well -- it is fun for them to be tested on their cow knowledge! It has been a late night already. Lots to be done to get ready for the show in the morning. Their day will start around 4 a.m. getting the animals out and washed so they are ready to go in the ring at 7:30.

It has been a busy day but a fun one. The best part for all of us is seeing friends we only get to see a couple times a year. The kids manage to find time to sneak in a card game or give each other rides on the wagons -- good fun for all!

Laura

Working Together

2009-07-15T20:06:00.000-07:00

The best part about the kids showing cows is it is one of the few activities we can do as a family. The kids are in other things like sports and music but this is one activity that we all do together from the youngest to the oldest! They all work together to get the animals ready -- and throughout the year they are responsible for feeding them every night - no matter the weather or their schedules they know that the cows have to be taken care of. We hope this is instilling a work ethic in the kids teaching them responsibility and the pride of doing a job well.

I have posted some pics from tonight when they were all out working the heifers. Lots to be done in just a few days!

--Laura (mom)

Washing, Hooves, and more!!

2009-07-14T16:12:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we had a lot to do! On Saturday we had to trim the rest of our cows hooves and on Sunday after church we had some friends who are going to help us show some of our cows so Lucas and I don't have to show like five of six cows in one day. They also helped us wash our cows to get them ready to show. They also led them in a pretend ring.

On Monday we had to go to Quiz Bowl Practice which is in less than a week!!!!!! The sad part is we don't have judging tonight :( but my dad is still making me practice.

The thing I just can't get through my head is that next week is the show!!!!! Quiz Bowl, Dairy Judging, Management, Great Dairy Adventure, the show, and the awards dinner it's just happening too fast............... including the summer it seems like yesterday we got out of school. It just seems too crazy.

--Eric

Hooves, Hay, and Markets

2009-07-10T09:54:00.000-07:00

It was really cool because the other day we went to our friends house so this professional hoof trimmer could trim our cows hooves. They have to be trimmed so the cows walk better and look better.

I also found out the other day that one of the embryos my uncle implanted into one of his heifers is a heifer! She will be born in March so I will have a new calf to show next summer. We use embryo transfer a lot because it is a good way for us to get a lot of calves from one animal. We flushed my cow Classic last fall and she gave a total of 29 eggs from two flushes! This is the first embryo that stuck and will be heifer from 8 that we have put in other heifers.

Last night we raked and bailed our field of hay and had to lay it out so it could dry. Also yesterday Anna and I went to a friends house because my mom had a meeting in Kalamazoo and dad was at work. Then last night I also went to the "Dansville Farmers' Market" and I helped work the bake sale to raise money for the Dansville Christian Youth Center. The night before we picked over 60 pounds of tart cherries to sell at the market!

We will be busy over the weekend washing and leading all the heifers -- the show is getting close so there is a lot to do but tonight we are going to see the new Ice Age movie!

--Eric

Lost Bunny

2009-07-07T07:54:00.000-07:00

When we were gone camping this past weekend, my friends took care of our animals. When they got here Friday night to feed, one of my rabbits was gone. His name is A.J. -- the door was hanging open and the cage was empty! We don't know what happened to him. We still have five more rabbits. I will be showing one at the fair.

I am too little to do Dairy Days but I get to got to the meetings. I will show my calf Tammy in the pee-wee show on Thursday at dairy days. She was born on my birthday in September. Tammy is from a cow that died a long time ago. Her mom was my dad's favorite cow when he milked cows. My dad did embryo transfer on her and saved the embryo for a long time! Now I have a calf from my dad's favorite cow!

--Anna

Summer Work and Dairy Days

2009-07-07T06:19:00.000-07:00

This summer has been fun but it's also been a lot of work. We had fun this past weekend camping and celebrating the 4th. We went with some friends we have known forever! On Sunday we took a canoe trip. When we got home on Sunday we got the heifers out and washed them again. We wash them as much as we can so they stay clean for the show. We have also been tying them up and leading them -- we have 9 heifers at our house that we work with plus we have four other cows at other farms.

Yesterday we had our 4-H meeting to get ready for quiz bowl. Tonight we go to MSU again to work on cow judging. I like the judging the best so tonight will be fun. There's a lot to get ready for -- it is now less than 2 weeks away!

--Eric

Magazines, Judging, and Camping

2009-07-01T09:24:00.000-07:00

I just finished organizing my mom's magazine's that she helps write and edit. The best part is she said she would pay me! Anyway the magazines she edits and writes are dairy magazines and she also helps write some dairy newspapers!!!!

It was really cool because last night my dad, brother, and I went to the MSU dairy barn to judge cows with my dairy team. I'm so excited because this is my second year judging and my instructor said I'm doing really well. I'm also excited about going camping this weekend with my friends.

--Eric

something in the coop

2009-06-29T13:28:00.000-07:00

I am sad today because something got into our chickens and killed my favorite one -- she was brown. My dad is looking for something to trap whatever got into the coop. We have a lot of kittens and I like to play with them. My friend Reanna has a lot too and we both like to play with each other's kittens. Reanna and I went to 4-H with our brothers -- we sat and colored while they talked about cows. I don't know what they are talking about --just cow stuff.

I also have a dog named Shasta - I like to play with her too. She is really nice to my kittens and lets them cuddle with her.

-- Anna

Another Monday

2009-06-29T13:11:00.000-07:00

I didn't go to work today because we had to work with the heifers and I had quiz bowl practice. Eric and I went out and tied up the heifers early this morning and then we did other chores around the house and yard. I then put the cows back in their pens. The reason we tie the cows up is so they will lead better in the show ring and be easier to work with. Then after that I went to dairy quiz bowl to practice for state contest -- we have a lot to learn! Now I have a baseball game later tonight then tomorrow I'm back to work with my dad. Summer is going too fast -- this is our last week of baseball.

--Lucas

Dairy Days

2009-06-28T14:16:00.000-07:00

Today my brother and I had to put hay in my cows feeder, and my brother had to wash a few cows. And this morning my dad had to ultrasound a heifer to see if she was going to have a heifer or a bull. It is a bull so he is not happy about that. Yesterday I worked in my neighbor's garden and went to pick strawberries at Degroots Strawberries. Right now my mom and I are making homemade strawberry jam. I'm so excited because we get to go to Dairy Days in a few weeks.

At 'Dairy Days' you can:

show a cow
judge a group of cows
participate in dairy management
participate in quiz bowl
go to 'The Great Dairy Adventure'

At the 'Great Dairy Adventure' you can:

make a craft
sit in a milk truck
have ice cream
and MORE!

Eric

Taking Care of our Animals and Camping

2009-06-23T14:09:00.000-07:00

The other day my dad, brother, and I had to wash and clip our cows. It's so fun to clip my cows because you get to use huge cow trimmers but, it isn't as fun on a windy day because the cow hair is blowing all over.

When we wash the cows we use soap and put it in their topline. We need to scrub soap all over their body. When we are going to a show we use soap and a different kind of soap called "Bright Lights" it is purple or blue it will make the cow look brighter.

We have to start leading the heifers this week so they are ready for the shows. It can be a lot of work but it is fun too.

Last weekend I went to Mackinaw Island and it was Awesome! My mom and I went on a bike trip around the Island while my dad, brother, and sister stayed back on Main Street and shopped. My family and I were camping at Mackinaw City and around noon it was cool because we could see the bridge and the island! At night it was really cool because we got to see the bridge lit up. On Sat. we stayed at the city and went to the Mackinaw Crossings Mall.

Eric

Explaining Cow Camps

2009-06-09T08:31:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited!! Tomorrow I'm going to a 'Cow Camp'! It's so much fun because they teach you how to show and clip a cow, they also teach you about the different breeds of cow and the 4 stomachs. At the beginning they let you get in your age group and you play some games. They feed you lunch and at the end they give you ICE CREAM!!!!

Yesterday I went with my dad and brother to Lowell to pick up my brothers calf and to look at my 4 year old cow.

As you might know my family owns a few cows and two of mine are pregnant!! My brother has a couple that are pregnant also. The ones that are mine that are pregnant are my jersey (the brown cow) and my holstein (the black and white one).

Eric

Camping and Summer!!!

2009-06-07T16:05:00.000-07:00

This past weekend me and my family went camping with all my friends from school and we had a blast! We went swimming, we played at the beach, and me and my best friend went fishing (but we didn't catch anything).We also played four-square and at night we made s'mores then we watched a movie.

This Wednesday I will be going to a 'Cow Camp' in Mt. Pleasant. If you ever have any questions about cows just become a follower and you can ask me a question. This summer I will be bailing hay and getting my cows ready for the state show and fair.

At the fair you can show rabbits, cows, sheep, goats, horses, pigs, and about any thing you can imagine. From animals to painting trash cans.

Eric

Cow Camps and Calves

2009-06-02T12:59:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that there is only 2 1/2 days left of school! Anyway yesterday my brother came home and told me that one of his cows had a calf!! I'll have more info about the calf tomorrow.

Here is some more info about these 'Cow Camps'. What they do there is they teach you all about the different breeds of cows, they also teach you about the stomachs, and how too clip and show cows. Tomorrow I will have some dates of when and where they are. They also give you lunch and you get to play some games and more!

Eric

The End of the School Year and a Sneak Peak at our Summer

2009-06-01T12:27:00.000-07:00

Only 3 and half more days of school left! We filled out our 4-H forms last week so now we know what we are taking to the fair. It's kind of a bummer that there are no premiums this year but we still get the chance to show our cows.

This spring we cleaned up our cow pen by tilling it. I'm really excited about my first jersey cow (the brown colored cow) having it's first baby this September. And no the brown cows don't give Chocolate milk. Also my holstein is due to have a calf this December. a holstein is the black and white cow. This past weekend I helped plant over 400 tomato plants at my neighbors garden. They have a huge garden. we also planted some beans and squash. We will be planting some corn and cucumbers for the Dansville Farmers Market. It's also really cool because I get to go to a 'Cow Camp' in Mt. Pleasant.

Eric