Bedding...wood chips

loads of wood chips delivered to the farm

 

A couple years ago, we accepted a few loads of wood chips after a tree service trimmed trees nearby for our power company. We found the wood chips made great bedding for the feeder calves. It kept them very dry and comfortable through the fall and winter. Since then, we have loads of wood chips delivered each year to use as bedding for the calves. 

The wood chips are piled and stored outside. And, we use from that pile as needed. When we need to bed down the barn with woodchips, the loader tractor with the bucket attachment scoops them up and dumps them in the barn to be spread out on the floor. It works out pretty well. For calving season this spring, dad had me load the manure spreader with wood chips. I backed into the calving barn and spread the woodchips onto the floor of the barn. That was pretty amazing!

Yesterday, eight loads were hauled to the farm for the feed lot. We are very happy to be able to use the wood chips!

Farm Chick Favorite

 * mjs *

ear tag necklace from the classy trailer

 

I am absolutely in love with this necklace! This adorable ear tag necklace is from The Classy Trailer. It is so perfect for this cow chick! The necklace is in silver with my initials...MJS. So excited to wear it! 

Friday on the Farm

At dusk

working late one evening

I decided to work a little later one evening bringing in hay bales and cornstalk bales for the cow herds. It was a chilly, peaceful, beautiful night.

 

 

[ agriculture photos @ monicastevens.photoshelter.com ]

Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels

Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels are a season favorite of mine. I love packaging them up as gifts for friends and family to enjoy!

thatch pretzels
1/4 cup      oil
1/3 cup      sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons      cinnamon

1/2 cup      cinnamon sugar

Combine the oil, sugar, and cinnamon together in a bowl. Add the mixture to the pretzels in a crock pot so they are completely covered. Stir the pretzels until they are all warm. Pour the cinnamon sugar over the pretzels and let cool.

Farm Chick Favorite

A little something from Bishop Hill...

sailor whisk

I live 5 miles from a historic Swedish community, Bishop Hill. It is such a quaint tiny town! Bishop Hill is rich in Swedish history. Bishop Hill is such a special place. And, it has a special place in my heart. Since we live so close, my parents and I visit often...mostly to eat at our favorite restaurant, the Filling Station!  

 

On a recent visit to Bishop Hill during Julmarknad, I found this handmade sailor whisk at the Prairie Arts Center. The Prairie Arts Center has beautiful and unique handmade pottery, brooms, and wool items.

I love my sailor whisk hanging from my farm office shelves!

The Shorthorn

 

 

One summer, my nieces visited the family farm and stayed overnight. After an evening of swimming at Oak Run with my parents, I surprised them with The Shorthorn. The Shorthorn is simply, vanilla ice cream and strawberry pop. It is a fun treat on our Shorthorn cattle farm! 

 

Now when my nieces stay overnight with us on the farm, we enjoy The Shorthorn. It is such a cute way to remember the farm.

2015 Weaning

Our calving season is March through April, so we typically wean our calves in early September. We weaned calves from our two cow herds on September 23 and 24. The calves were loaded and hauled to the feedlot barn to be weighed, and vaccinated.

 

Calves from each of the two farms were sorted by heifers and steers and weighed. The heifer and steer calves from each farm averaged...

 

herd 1 (5+ year old cows)
heifer average    550

steer average    679
 

herd 2 (2-4 year old cows)
heifer average    472

steer average    563
 

Weaning weights were recorded from our scales. We were extremely pleased with the weaning weights of the calves! Weights were much heavier than last year. These weights told us that our management was excellent. Over the years, we have developed a great herd health program with our veterinarian. Our herd nutrition was on point. In addition to pasture and hay, we fed oatlage to out cattle herds. The calves had corn, oats, and cotton seed hulls available to them in creep feeders. And, our cattle always have a supply of salt and mineral to meet their needs. We are always improving or looking for ways to improve.  The weights from calves at each farm were then entered onto a spreadsheet. In 2006, I developed a spreadsheet to track weaning weights. It has been very beneficial in the management of our calves.  

 

records are extremely important to our management

 

After being weighed, calves received a series of shots: 2cc Bovi-Shield Gold, 2cc 20/20 Vision 7, 4cc of Vitamins ADE, and 8cc of BP48 (to prevent illness). No calves have been treated for illness since being weaned. That is always our goal.

 

Calves were fed a ration of oats, corn, cotton seed hulls, and hay when first weaned. Now, they are fed corn, soybean meal, Vitamins, and hay.

 

We have been very pleased with the gain. And, I have been starting to select replacement heifers to retain. 

 

Periscope

 

 

 

As another way to advocate for agriculture, I am broadcasting live on Periscope. It is such a fun way to reach non-farm friends and consumers! Follow me on Periscope at MJStevens! Through Periscope, I talk about what we do on my family's farm.

 

Heart it up for farmers!

Friday on the Farm

The sun sets on a harvested field of corn. It was so beautiful and peaceful watching the sun set while on my evening walk! Fall evenings like this are amazing. I am so blessed to farm and experience the simple beauty of living in the country. Life is good.

 

 

[ agriculture photos @ monicastevens.photoshelter.com ]

Friday on the Farm

green 3 grazes cornstalks

 

It was a beautiful, and peaceful fall evening. On my way back to the farm from an enjoyable and relaxing walk, I noticed the sun setting on our cows. The gorgeous colors in the sky with a herd of cows are grazing cornstalks...breathtaking. I could have been in that corn field all night.

 

 [ agriculture photos @  monicastevens.photoshelter.com ]

Farm Chick Favorite

capture life...

my farm office

This is so perfect for me! I absolutely adore this 'capture life' sign from Barn Owl Primitives! It is great for my farm office! As a farmer and agriculture photographer, I love capturing the beauty of agriculture and the family  farm. Agriculture is a love I love to share. Through my photos, I am able to share what I love.

 

I LoVe to decorate...a mix of new and old. And, I love using what was on our family farm. I styled my farm office space #cattlegypsystyle...my very unique style! This past winter, I painted my office walls black. The barn board shelves above my desk have memorabilia from serving on agriculture boards and committees among old farm photos, and turquoise Ball canning jars of my grandma's.

Farm Chick Favorite

turban headbands from Three Bird Nest

I found these turban headbands from Three Bird Nest. Adorable! I LOVE the gray and turquoise! I wear my hair in a ponytail, and a turban headband for a casual, fun style. A tank top, pair of jeans, and flip flops make the perfect outfit for me.

Friday on the Farm

the sun sets on soybeans to be harvested

 

The warm fall sun sets on a field of soybeans. The sun relfected against the Gleaner as it was rolling through the field. It was a beautiful October day to finish harvesting soybeans.

 

 

[ view agriculture photos at monicastevens.photoshelter.com ]

Friday on the Farm

oatlage being cut and chopped

We started chopping oats to be bagged for oatlage yesterday. We plan on being finished this afternoon before rain arrives tonight.

 

A pass through the hay field with the chopper shows forage of oats, alfalfa, and red clover. The oatlage will be used to feed cows...they will enjoy their 'cow chow'!

Friday on the Farm

milkweed is blooming

The milkweed along the rural roadside is blooming. Butterflies and bees will be fluttering and buzzing! Happy pollinators!

 

As conservationists and stewards of our land, we maintain our roadsides. After bird eggs have hatched in the spring, we spray to kill any weeds growing. To provide more wildlife habitat, we do not mow our roadsides.

Strawberry Lemon Basil Pasta Salad

Strawberry Lemon Basil Pasta Salad is so refreshing for summer! So delicious!

1/3 cup      olive oil
1/2 cup      lemon juice
1 tablespoon      balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon      sugar
1/2 teaspoon      salt
1/4 teaspoon      black pepper
1 pound      farfalle pasta
1/2 teaspoon      basil
1 tablespoon      lemon zest
1 cup      strawberries

 

Bring water to a boil and cook the farfalle pasta. Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Pour over the pasta and stir. Add basil and lemon zest. Use salt and pepper to taste. Mix in strawberries when ready to serve.

 

Farm Chick Favorite

WiLd cHiLd

perfect for me!

 

Love this bracelet from The Classy Trailer! It is so perfect for me! The leather bracelet in turquoise will be so cute to wear this summer!

Pelvic Area Measurements

We moved replacement heifers to pasture to graze for the season on April 15. Before doing so, we ran the heifers through the chute for tattoos, and a dose of MultiMin and LongRange.

Many factors are considered in selecting replacement heifers. This year, we decided to measure the pelvic area of our heifers. The measurements provided us with data we utilized to help select heifers. Dr Baird used the Krautman-Litton bovine pelvic in measuring the pelvic area. 

All measurements were recorded to We were very pleased with the measurements of our heifers! All heifers were suitable for calving...measuring well over 200 cm2. An larger pelvic area helps increase our chances in unassisted births.

 

Strawberry Rhubarb Cake

Today is my dad's birthday! He loves rhubarb. So, I decided to make him Strawberry Rhubarb Cake! As a farmer, he spent the day planting soybeans.  After a day of working in the field, I hope he enjoys it!

 

 

1 tablespoon      butter

1/4 cup      brown sugar

1 cup      strawberries

1 cup      rhubarb

 

1 2/3 cups      wheat flour

1/4 teaspoon      salt

1 teaspoon      baking powder

1/4 teaspoon      baking soda
1/2 teaspoon      cinnamon

6 tablespoons      butter

2/3 cup      brown sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon      vanilla

2/3 cup      nonfat yogurt  (optional)

1 zested lemon
 

 

Melt 1 tablespoons of butter and cover the bottom and sides of a 9 inch cake pan. Sprinkle 1/8 cup of brown sugar over the butter. Arrange the sliced strawberries on the bottom of the pan, then the sliced rhubarb. Squeeze some lemon juice over the strawberries and rhubarb.

 

Sift together flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon. Mix butter, and brown sugar together. Beat in the egg, and vanilla. Add dry mixture together. Mix in the yogurt for a dense, moist cake. Add the lemon zest. Spread over the strawberries and rhubarb.

 

Bake at 350 for 35 minutes. Let the cake cool for 10 minutes. Invert cake onto a plate to serve.

 

 

The strawberry-rhubarb cake is so beautiful to enjoy during the summer! Enjoy!

 

Friday on the Farm

a worm burrows through the soil



Warm and sunny weather has blessed the soil on our farm. We started planting corn this week!

 

The planter started rolling through the field. As we brushed away the soil to check seed depth and spacing, there were an amazing earthworms all throughout the field.

 

Worms are a great indicator of soil health and tilth. We take great pride in being conservationists stewards of the land. It is a family tradition on the farm. The care we take shows in the productivity of our ground. 

10,000

It was an exciting morning!

 

9999.9

The Deutz loader tractor turned over 10,000 hours! The hours rolled over when feeding calves in the morning. Dad enjoyed the special moment.

 

dad enjoying the moment

 

My first memory was of my dad driving home the new tractor. I was 2 years old. I remember standing in the backseat of the car looking out the window watching my dad on the Deutz as my mom and I drove home to the farm on the sunny afternoon. A farm girl remembers important moments!

 

10,000

The tractor has worked many hours on the farm. The Deutz had several responsibilities over the years...feeding calves and cows, raking hay, baling hay, grinding feed, cleaning barns, loading manure, pushed snow. And, the tractor worked hard throughout the year. Even on frigid cold winter mornings, would start and go to work.

 

 

Seeding for hay fields

Two fields were prepared to seed for hay with the no-till drill. Red clover, alfalfa, and brome were seeded along with oats. We finished seeding the fields of hay on April 5. The new seeding quickly emerged and has started growing. We have had warm, sunny weather with a few rain showers...perfect weather for growth! 

 

emerging seed

Per acre, we use 4 pounds red clover, 12 pounds alfalfa, 5 pounds brome, and 2 bushel oats. We fertilize our hay ground twice a year to maintain soil fertility and to optimize hay yield.



hay fields are growing nicely



 

Ground seeded for hay provides many benefits. Soil is covered and prevents erosion by wind and water. Alfalfa roots grow deep into the subsoil. Plant roots reduce soil compaction and improves soil structure. Legumes have nodules that fixate nitrogen. Nitrogen is available in the soil for plants to utilize. Soil fertility is improved by building up organic matter. Blooms provide insects, like bees and butterflies with nectar. Plant roots are food for microorganisms in the soil.

I am looking forward to seeing beautiful, lush fields. We will have happy cows that will enjoy the hay from these fields!
 

Farm Chick Favorite

LiFe Is BeTtEr WiTh CoWs ArOuNd...

 

love this shirt!

 

Absolutely LoVe this shirt! It is so incredibly perfect for me! Life is better with cows around...so very true! My life is definitely better with cows. Cows make my heart smile!

I follow Davis Country Store on Instagram. So when I saw this shirt, I just had to buy it! It is so cute!

 

life is better with cows around

 

Looking forward to wearing this adorable shirt this summer :)

#farmchickfavorite

Cattle records prepared for 2015





laptop and tablet sit at my desk in my farm office



Last fall, I purchased a Dell  laptop and tablet.  On my laptop, I recreated all of my spreadsheets used to keep records on our Shorthorn cattle herds...bulls, calving, calves, health program, replacement heifers, weaning weights, and pregnancy checking. All records are printed and kept in binders, as well. Our cattle records are always easily assessable.

 

 

Through One Drive, I am able to view all cattle records on both my laptop and tablet. If I have my tablet in the barn or out to the pasture, I can update or view cattle records at that moment. Pretty amazing!

 

This is my first tablet, so I am pretty excited to use it on the farm. This year, my plan is to purchase barn cameras to be used for calving season. I will be able to view the barn cameras anywhere from my laptop or tablet. So exciting! 

 

Friday on The Farm

red #8

Red #8 is a replacement heifer of mine due to calve in March. She has such a beautiful udder! A cow chick can appreciate a beautiful udder :)

 

Walking through the cow herd on a farm one afternoon, my dad and I noticed how her udder was forming. We sorted her into the calving barn to start watching. This morning at 2:00 am, I drove to the farm to check her and three other heifers close to calving. This afternoon, we hauled her to my house, so I can better watch her.

Calf watch... 2015

Calf watch 2015 has begun! This morning at 2:00 am, I drove to a farm to check replacement heifers to close calving. We closely watch our cows during calving season, but especially the replacement heifers incase they are in need of assistance in calving. It is a frigid calving season so far. At 7:00 am this morning, it was -12. We manage our cattle even more intensely due to the weather.

 

Cows and heifers due to calve early to mid March have been sorted and moved to the calving barn to watch throughout the day and night. Barns have been bedded down with straw or cornstalks to keep cattle warm through the cold weather.

 

Walking through the barns at night, is so peaceful. Oh, the grunts of expecting cows.

An early start to calving 2015

Calving started a month early...

 

During the winter, I routinely walk through the cow herds every morning and evening. On the afternoon of February 4, I walked through the cow herd where I live. To my surprise, I found a newborn calf. We were not expecting to calve until the beginning of March. Orange 13 was due to calve in early March according to my pregnancy checking records. When I found the calf on the cold afternoon, I picked up the calf and ran to my house. Sadly, it was too late. I was heartbroken.

 

On the evening of February 10, I heard a cow in the calving lot. I walked to the barn at 11:00 pm to find Yellow 62 with a calf. I ran to my truck and drove back to the barn. When dad arrived, I carried the calf to my truck to get warm. For energy and warmth, we fed the calf colostrum through a tube. I called our veterinarian to see if there was anything else we could do. Until 12:15 pm, I used a blow dryer to quickly warm the calf. She spent the night under blankets in bathroom of my home.

 

in the morning

In the morning, she nursed a bottle. We were so excited! Throughout the day, I would have her stand and walk around to gain strength. With our health program during calving, Dad and I gave the calf a few shots...Bo-Se, Vitamin B12, and Calf Guard. The heifer spent another night in my house to remain warm during a cold winter night. 

 

running in her carhartt sweatshirt

After spending 36 hours in my home, it was time to return the calf to her mom. In the morning, we started acclimating the heifer to the outdoor temperatures. Since she is small, I used a Carhartt hoodie to keep her warm outside. It is amazing how well it worked! It was great seeing her run in the sunshine! I laughed and smiled. We brought the cow and calf into the barn to bond and stay warm. We bottle fed the calf with colostrum until she nursed the cow. We administered a shot of clostridium, and parainfluenza-respiratory. The calf nurses her mom at 7:30 am and 5:00 pm, and we feed her a bottle at 12:30 pm and 10:00 pm. We are currently working with the calf to nurse the cow instead of the bottle.


UPDATE...Success! I went out to the barn to feed heifer calf her 10:30 bottle tonight. After she finished her bottle of milk, I directed her towards her mom. She went straight towards the udder and started nursing! This is the first time the cow has let her nurse without being in the chute. I was so happy!

i heart agriculture

i HeArT agriculture

. farm . family . faith . love . tradition .



Every morning, I am blessed to wake up and do what I absolutely love...raising cattle. In my heart, I truly believe it was something I was born to do. Raising cattle is a family tradition. And, I am extremely proud to be a third generation cattleman. Raising cattle is about family, faith, love, and tradition. We take great pride in being stewards of our land, and caretakers of our cattle. It is tough work...blood, sweat, and tears. Though, it is extremely rewarding. I am able to see our work and dedication in our healthy cattle herds.

Friday on the Farm

installed field tile

  

Field tile was installed in a field to help with subsurface water drainage. Tile will allow water to safely be removed from the field and help prevent soil erosion.

Friday on the Farm

snow falls on a cow

A few hairs on a cow show through a layer of fresh snow.

Snow started to fall in the morning. As the snow fell, it was covering the backs of the cows standing outside.

Farm Chick Favorite

These mercury glass votives...I am in LoVe.

mercury glass votives

 

I love candles! You will see them throughout my home. Candles and candle holders are a fun and easy way to add color and character to a room. I found these beautiful votives at West Elm. They are perfect for my rustic farm chic home! The mercury glass coordinates with the theme of my home.

 

These mercury glass votives very classy and cozy! I am very much looking forward to lighting some candles after a day of work on the farm!

 

#farmchickfavorite

Friday on the Farm

frost on a foggy winter morning

It was a beautiful foggy morning feeding calves in the feedlot. A light frost covered the countryside. It was so pretty!

Brownies

1 cup      wheat flour
2 cups      sugar
2/3 cup      cocoa
1/2 teaspoon      baking soda
1/2 teaspoon      salt
4      eggs
2 teaspoons      vanilla
1 cup      vegetable oil

Combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Mix well. Whisk eggs. Add vanilla, and vegetable oil. Mix all together. Pour into a greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

Farm Chick Favorite

neon yellow fringe scarf

 

I am in love with this neon yellow fringe scarf from Giddy Up Glamour! My good cow chick friend, Keri gave it to me as a gift. Love it. It so much fun! I cannot wait to wear it!

 

 #farmchickfavorite

Farm Chick Favorite

This summer I bought my first couch! 14 years after moving to the home farm, I was pretty excited to own my first piece of furniture.

My rustic chic farm home is decorated in brown, cream, and black...with a few pops of color [ yellow, purple, turquoise ] in accessories. I found this cute turquoise pillow at Pier 1 Imports! I bought two for my couch.

love my pillows

I absolutely love the pop of color. The turquoise petals on the pillows add a little color and texture to my livingroom! To carry the color throughout the room, I used my Grandma Stevens' Ball jars I found in the basement. The turquoise jars add character I love in my farm home!

 

 

#farmchickfavorite

My wishes for the cattle farm...

I have quite a few wishes for the farm this year. I will need to work hard to make my wishes come true. But, it will be well worth it. I want to constantly improve.
 

. purchase barn cameras for the calving season

. build cattle sheds for calves and raising bulls

. plant trees around barns and in the pastures as windbreaks

. build a cattle shade for cows and calves in the pastures during the summer
. rebuild the corral in the pasture
. plant turnips for cows in the fall for extended grazing season

Friday on the Farm

snow has fallen

Snow has fallen on the farm. Fluffy, sparkly snow covers the farm and rural route roads. It is a pretty sight.

 

To prepare for the snow, we set out hay bales and cornstalk bales for the feeder calves and cow herds yesterday afternoon. 6.5 inches of snow fell overnight in northern Knox County. Calves were ready for feed this morning. And, the cows were content.

In 2015...

Today is my birthday! In celebration, I set a few personal goals for 2015...I am very excited for what this coming year brings!

 

In 2015, I will...

Enjoy every small moment in life...life is full of the small moments to cherish

Write and mail more notes to my friends...just because I love them

Learn how to box { I've always wanted to box }

Study to become a Certified Personal Trainer

Run a half marathon

Launch Cattle Gypsy® [ rustic . industrial . farm . chic . furniture ]

Follow my HeArT !

Farm Chick Favorite

so God made a farmer...

'So God Made a Farmer' was a 1987 speech by Paul Harvey. It is powerful and extremely moving. As a third generation farmer, it moved me to tears. Farming is a tough yet rewarding lifestyle and occupation. The speech was recently made popular by a commercial from Ram Trucks during the Super Bowl.

I absolutely love this shirt from Skreened! I had to have it! And, I am very excited to wear it this summer! This shirt would also be super cute with a black blazer, jeans, and heels.

 

#farmchickfavorite

Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

During the winter, I love making these cookies for friends and family! And when I bake, I make a double batch of cookies.

2 1/2 cups    wheat flour
2 cups      sugar
1/4 cup      light brown sugar
2/3 cup      cocoa
1/2 teaspoon      baking soda
3/4 teaspoon      salt
4      eggs
2 tablespoons      milk
1/2 cup      butter
1 teaspoon      mint extract

Mix flour, sugar, brown sugar, cocoa, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl. Add eggs, and milk. Stir all together. Add butter, and mint extract. Blend well. Roll cookie dough into balls. Place onto a cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Allow to cool before icing.

Icing:
4 cups      powdered sugar
1/2 cup      butter
6 tablespoons      milk
1 teaspoon      mint extract
1/4 teaspoon      salt

Mix powdered sugar, butter, and milk together in a large bowl. Stir in mint extract, and salt. Blend well.

 

Ice cookies and sprinkle with crushed candy canes. Enjoy with a glass of milk!