Friday on the Farm

It was a beautiful fall night.

After work, I moved cornstalk bales off a field. It was a nice way to spend a Friday night. Quiet. Still. Peaceful.

baling cornstalks: 2020

On Friday, my dad mowed cornstalks to prepare for baling them. After a few years of baling cornstalks for our cows, we decided to mow them before baling them this year. Mowing the cornstalks would shred the corn residue. This would also make the cornstalks more useful for bedding and feeding.  

Saturday morning, I raked the cornstalks in the field dad had mowed. Shortly after I finished raking, they were custom baled for us.

Mowing the cornstalks before raking, created more volume to bale. 

Those cornstalks! A nice windrow was made after raking.

80 bales of cornstalks were rolled up on Saturday afternoon. The cornstalks will used as bedding for cows this winter and and for cows and calves this spring during the calving season. 

The cornstalks are also fed in a ration with hay, and corn silage to our cows over the winter. The cows love them.

2019 cornstalk bales

Cornstalks have been rolled up. It was just in time... they now look like frosted mini wheats for cows.

 

Every year, we rake and bale cornstalks to use during the winter and spring months. The cornstalks are used as bedding for cows during the winter and for the cows and calves during the calving season in the spring. We are anticipating another rough winter. So this year, we rolled up over 100 bales to be prepared.

 

Cornstalks are also fed to our cows. They are fed in a ration with hay and silage. It works well for us. And, our cow enjoy it.

Friday on the Farm

Cornstalks were baled. Just in time! These bales of cornstalks will be used as bedding throughout the winter months. Cornstalks keep our cows and calves dry and warm during cold and snowy weather. Over 80 bales were rolled up. And, we have already started using cornstalks due to the weather.

Friday on the Farm

 

It was a busy Friday on the farm. We were able to get quite a bit of work done on a nice fall day.

We have very happy cows. Two herds of cows are now grazing cornstalks. After corn is harvested, we open up fields for cows to graze. Grazing cornstalks ( stover ) in fields extends the grazing season through fall. The cows eat the corn residue ( husks and leaves ) and grass in the waterways.
 

[ view agriculture photos @ monicastevens.photoshelter.com ]

Friday on the Farm

 

Between unloading corn and filling a grain bin, I checked on the field of rye. The rye has grown about two inches since last week. Through the corn residue, the rye is growing. The field of rye is starting to green.

 

Friday on the Farm

So, I am checking on the field of rye this morning. It is snowing. The flakes of snow were falling from the sky and melting on the rye.  

[ agriculture photos @ monicastevens.photoshelter.com ]

fall forage for grazing: week 10

It is now week 10!

A herd of cows is now grazing a field of turnips, rye, and oats in the harvest corn field. I was really excited to cows open the pasture gate for the herd to graze. So the cows were ready to graze the lush field, we set out high magnesium blocks for the herds.

 

 

fall forage for grazing: week 8

It is week 8! And, I am checking in from the field...

The turnips, rye, and oats have quickly grown since the corn has been harvested.

The herd of cows on the farm where I live will be turned out to graze on the turnips, rye, and oats next week. I am excited to see them graze!

fall forage for grazing: week 6

It is week #6 in the field!

It has been six weeks since the fields were aerial seeded with turnips, rye, and oats. I have very much enjoyed watching the seeding grow by each week. It has been so amazing! Every time I drive by the seeded fields, I smile. The fall forage is beautiful!

10.19.16

We finished harvesting corn early Monday evening! When we finished harvesting corn on the acres seeded with turnips, rye, and oats, it let us fully see the seeding. Amazing!

10.14.16

It is unbelievable how quickly the seeding grew after the corn was harvested. We had sunny, warm weather that was perfect for the turnips, rye, and oats to rapidly grow. From a distance, you can now see the corn fields turning green.    

It will not be long before the corn residue will be covered by the fall forage. Our cow herds will soon be grazing the luscious fields of turnips, rye, and oats!

corn residue rests along the turnips, rye, and oats

 

Friday on the Farm

turnips, rye, and oats in corn residue

This afternoon, we started harvesting corn in one of the two fields seeded with turnips, rye, and oats. While riding in the Gleaner with my dad, it was so neat viewing the seeding from the combine cab. It was so pretty...emerald green growth among the dried corn field! Corn residue covered the ground with the turnips, rye, and oats were peaking through towards the sun. After riding along in the combine, I continued to haul corn to the grain bin to unload. Cows in the pasture watched as the combine rolled through the field...it is time for them to graze.   

Friday on the Farm

 

In the evening, I walked out to the pasture to check cows and fences. On the way, I greatly enjoyed  the sun setting over a corn field where we chopped silage and seeded rye. In the pasture, I spent a little extra time with the cows feeling so blessed. The cool, fall sun was so peaceful. It made my heart smile.

 

[ agriculture photos @ monicastevens.photoshelter.com ]

Friday on the Farm

freshly fallen snow

It was a beautiful, sunny winter morning. Overnight, snow had fallen. Fluffy snow covered cornstalk bales in the barnyard. The snow glistened in the sunshine. It was quite peaceful while feeding calves in the morning.

[ agriculture photos @ monicastevens.photoshelter.com ]  

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 ]

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.

Friday on the Farm



cows graze as the sun sets



As the sun sets, cows graze a snowy corn field. Our cows graze cornstalks after the field is harvested. It is always a beautiful and peaceful site. I have a blessed life.

Friday on the Farm

a bale sits in the field

Cornstalks have been baled. After fields of corn are harvested, we have cornstalks baled. Throughout the winter, we use the bales. Cornstalks are used as bedding for calves in the feed lot, and cow herds. The cornstalks keep the calves and cows warm and dry.

Our Cows Love Cornstalks!

My cows make me smile. Yesterday afternoon was one of those times. Throughout the winter we set out cornstalk bales as bedding for the cow herds to keep them warm. Dad and I set out a bale for a cow herd Monday afternoon. Our cows love cornstalks...and it shows! [note the bale moving and cornstalks flying in the air] Enjoy the videos :)

Friday on the Farm

the sun sets on cornstalk bales

 

It was a chilly winter day when I snapped this photo on the farm. The sun began to set on rows of cornstalk bales dusted with snow. It was quite pretty and peaceful.