Let's Get Together

I wanted to share with everyone, the view I woke up to this morning on April 16!

A lovely soft, wet layer of snow!  (This is the Grewe Family House)

Even though it was a tad bit chilly for this Missouri girl today, Brandon and I enjoyed the nice company of other fellow Guernsey breeders in the area.  Today was the day for the annual Barron and Polk County Guernsey Association meeting.  Golden Guernsey enthusiasts from Barron and Polk county joined together for a nice lunch at a pizzeria.  Before and during the meal we had much discussion about the cows on the different farms.  How they are flushing, how to treat some illnesses, and so much more topics.  Sharing is learning!  We shared some laughs, along with what everyone may be showing this summer and fall.  A nice time to catch up with the other breeders.  After the meal, the meeting started.  Topics about financing the juniors for quiz bowl at National Convention this fall was a highlighted topic.  It is always positive to help the future of the industry.  Each fall they have a annual picnic, and this year's annual picnic will be held here at the Valley Gem Farm LLC. of the Grewe Family.  Brandon and I along with his parents look forward to hosting the Guernsey crew for another gathering.  Though times have been tough for the dairy farmers, seeing the smiling faces of the Guernsey group today, helps everyone remember they enjoy what they do!

After the meeting we continued to mingle! Here is Trent Jenson (left) of Golden J Farms and Nate Kringle.

It's not a dairy event if some semen is not exchanged.  Neil Jenson of Idle Gold Farms is provding us with some Guernsey bull semen of a bull from the Isle of Guernsey!

Now the meeting is over and it's back to work for all these dairy farmers.  We made it back in time for Brandon to head out straight to the barn.  Hope to see the sun in the future around here. 

Stay Golden!

The Indecisive Mother Nature

I was bottomed when trying to think of something to discuss today, because one major person stepped in my way.  Her famous name: Mother Nature!  I wanted to go outside to capture the future of the farm (babies), but due to the outcome of the weather I chose to stay put inside and work work work! Since  Mother Nature has left me to stay inside, why not write about her, because she does play a large role in the farming lifestyle. 

Most of you know about my moving from Southwest corner of Missouri to Northwest Wisconsin, and the biggest change is the weather.  Down there I thought Mother Nature was always unsure what to do and could not ever make up her mind as to what kind of weather to have each day.  One thing I know for sure, she is just as indecisive up here as she is down there!  And I thought I was indecisive, Mother Nature has beat me to the gold medal for that category! 

Just a couple posts before, I posted the lovely ladies outside enjoying the sun-- Today I am able to post gloomy pictures with no sun.  The wind is just unbelievable outrageously hard today.  Brandon is bundled up with several layers of clothes, and his cheeks just red as can be when he came in for a snack.  There is also much talk about some rain and sleet coming in.  I have news for Miss Mother Nature-- Today's date is April 15th, and I would love to keep seeing the sun, so the flowers will bloom and the grass will grow.  It is also about time for the boys to get in the fields to plant, and they can't do so.  The ground is still to wet, and with no sun, the mud won't dry up.  Many plans of farmers are changed due to weather circumstances. 

Corn field where no planting is going on!

This is not completely a bash on Mother Nature.  She is quite interesting in fact.  She does have good qualities as well.  When the weather is dry she brings the rain, sometimes she may be delayed, but other times she forgets to hit the shut off valve! 

It's about time for me to run some errands to town.  Shout out to all the people in the south GOOD LUCK during tornado season, one thing I won't miss!  I will be adventuring out in this cold weather later tonight to attend to a possible show heifer who has ringworm-- I'll make sure I don't get any.

Stay Golden!

It's "Disco" Time!!

Time to put on your dancing shoes and those bell bottom pants, because we are going to the Disco!  Well ok, so there isn't any sparkly ball, but I do have a sparkling young lady for you all to meet.  Her name, Four Winds Regis Disco! 

Disco joined the farm on March 26, 2011.  We purchased her with a few partners, Ray and Earl Lindsey, and Roger.  She was brought from the wonderful sale of Four Winds Dispersal.  Though it was sad to see such wonderful breeders, Clark and Joy Vilter, sell their beautiful animals; we are very pleased with our purchase.  We purchased Disco for $5600.  This seems like a little amount, but there was slight problem with her (even though it was no problem for us)  Disco is only 3-quartered.  This did not stop us.  She was just stunning standing in the tie-stall at the sale, and I just had to have her up here on the farm! 

This was Disco the night before the sale!  I'll use AGA's quote "Possible the most stunning cow in the barn, to bad she is only three-quarted!"  Agree a very stunning and  beautiful cow!

We brought her home, and she has her own space, and gets lead to the parlor every morning and evening.  I even make my rounds to her to hand feed her.  HAHA She is a little spoiled, but hardworking and very strong headed!!

She knows who her momma is! She jumps up everytime when I walk in the barn and comes straight over to me to recieve her daily petting! 

She even likes Brandon or at least whatever is on his hands!

But anyways, last night Brandon didn't make it into the house until nearly midnight, I went in about eleven.  Last night was the BIG day!!  FLUSH DAY for Disco!  The day to see if she was a great purchase.  Everything went well, the vet palpated her to check her out, and the news not so hot.  "She didn't ovualte to good, and a possible cyst, but could have a couple."  Ok so things are looking up.

Flushing went smooth, and after long pacing times (done by Brandon), we went to check to see how many embryos.  3 GOOD ones!!  Yay we were so excited with just three,  then he found another!! We then later get a text that a 5th has been found!!

We are very pleased to have recieved 4 really good embryos, and 1 that will work!

So was Disco worth the purchase?  I think so!  Even if she does not ever produce eggs, I will LOVE her just as much!  How could you not love such a face?



It's Finally Here!

The day I have been waiting for is finally here!  SPRING!  I love the Spring season.  The sun shining, shorts, flip-flops, cool breeze, and of course the cows are able to go adventure outside after a long winter!  There was much discussion early this week when the cows would be able to leave the free stall barn.  Even though the snow and ice may had melted conditions were still muddy earlier this week.  Brandon and I discussed today might be the day, and it was the day!!  While at work (in house), I looked outside and there they were, the wonderful lovely ladies enjoying the sunshine.  So I just had to take a "break" and capture this moment.  You can almost see all their smiling faces. 

The girls were quick to lay down to enjoy the sunshine.  Not much green grass right now, but you can see it coming!

This lady was going ahead and digging into what grass there was.  Happy healthy cows always eat!

As you can see there is more than just Guernseys around this place.  Some Holsteins, and a scatter of Brown Swiss. (Owned by Ryan a farm helper)

I think she spotted us looking down at here up the barn!  This is one of my favorites on the farm.  Possible show cow as well!!

I almost forgot.  Earlier today on our way home after going to town.  I spotted the most beautiful creature in the field.  The one and only American symbol of freedom, the Bald Eagle!!  This is the second one I have seen since I have been here.  They are really gorgeous birds.

I couldn't get extra close, but there he/she is.  In the corn field next to the house!!

I hope to be writing tomorrow with some excellent news.  Tonight Four Winds Regis Disco is being flushed for embryos.  Good Luck to us! Have a wonderful evening!!  Remember to always stay Golden!

Let's Get This Blog Started!

I more than likely should have started blogging back in March.  The first weekend in March I started what I would call a "new" life.  I guess I should start at the beginning or at least give some background.  I was born and raised on a dairy farm.  My parents Mike and Tina Wilson raised my siblings, Shannon (my older sister) and Scott (my younger brother) and I on a small family farm in Neosho, MO.  All three of us were active members in 4-H, FFA, showing dairy, and sports.  After I graudated in 2006, I went a local community college, and then off to a much bigger school Oklahoma State University.  This is the time point where my life changed.  My contacts around the nation continued to grow with the more national shows I went to, and the more breed activities I participated in.  One breed particulary grew to a max in my interest book.  The Guernsey breed.  The breed of cattle is known for it's golden milk, but one other thing it should be known for is, it's welcoming and friendly people.  See, I grew up on a Holstein farm, and then we decided to get a few Jerseys, but I was the only child who wanted a Guernsey.  The Guernsey breed never turned me down.  They welcomed me in with wide arms!  I kept attending their National Conventions, participating in quiz bowl and even being a National Queen candidate.  I even met the love of my life, Brandon Grewe.  Brandon grew up on a family Guernsey farm in Northwestern Wisconsin.  When we first met, we connected immediately.  Having so many interests in common, but just enough differences to make things more lively.  In October of 2010 Brandon proposed to me underneath the Willow trees at World Dairy Expo.  That November he moved to Missouri to work on another farm.  After I finished up my classwork in December 2010, Brandon and I started to think about where we wanted to be in life.  It wasn't until this past February when Brandon and I decided to pack our bags and head north to Wisconsin, back to his family farm.  That first week of March we moved up here to Cumberland, WI.  Yes, it was hard for me to leave my family, friends, and of course the cows in Missouri.  But hopes for great job opportunities and more flexible farm schedule caught out eye to move.  The move went great.  I have been adjusting so far.  Hardest part to adjust to is just being away from my friends and family.  But I better head to the milk parlor, there will continue to more posts!