thecowlocale

Welcome to guest blogger Ellissa Clark.

     For most people, springtime on the farm brings thoughts of fields turning green and baby lambs, piglets, and calves being born. Yet, as a teenager growing up on a farm, spring has taken on a whole different meaning. As a little girl I loved it when spring arrived because it was finally warm enough to go down to the farm. I would run straight to the calf barn to pick out my favorite calf that I would show at the county fair in August. Last week I saw my little sisters doing that same thing, but those days are gone for me now. Today, spring means work.

     In the spring, my dad is noticeably absent from home and the only time I really hear from him is when my cell phone rings. The conversation goes something like this: “What are you doing right now?” my dad asks. (This question of course is only rhetorical.) I answer, “I’m actually quite busy.” (Which may or may not be true.) “I need a tractor driver for an hour,” he responds. (According to ‘Dairy Farmer Standard Time,’ I’ve learned that this project will probably last four or more hours.) I then give him a long list of all of my homework assignments and plans that I have with friends, to which he responds, “That can wait until later. I’ll see you at the barn in ten minutes.” Knowing that I have no choice in the matter, I pull on my farm clothes and head down.

     Don’t tell my dad this, but I really like driving tractors driving more than he thinks I do. This is especially true when I’m driving the John Deere 8400, it has a great radio! As I comb over the fields in the beautiful valley of Morgan, I realize how blessed I am to be growing up on a farm. I know that I am learning valuable lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Read Ellissa’s “Christmas on the Farm” post here.

How long does it take to make cheese? 

Grant Kohler of Heber Valley Artisan Cheese answers to round out the Department of Ag’s series on “Ask a Farmer…”

Canyon Breeze Holsteins

In the 1920′s and 30′s, Minersville Utah had a community dairy where families would take their personal cows to be milked.  It was in this community setting that the Gillins family got their start in the dairy business, and now 4 generations later, Cory Gillins continues to work on the farm with his family.

Cory, Stefanie and Zaiden

The dairy has evolved quite a bit from the 30 cows his grandfather started with almost 100 years ago to an operation with 12 loyal employees and 500 cows.  Since the 1980′s, the Gillins have focused on continually improving their dairy herd through genetics. Their registered stock, under the prefix Canyon Breeze Holsteins, prides itself on their superior genetic line and has perfected the art of harvesting embryos, which it sells both nationally and internationally. There is great value in breeding superior stock including reduced risk for disease, valued physical attributes, size, and improved milk quality and production. (Check out this recent article on the topic.)

For the Gillins, one cow changed everything. Meet Abigail and her family.

Abagail Family Tree

Learn more about the Gillins Family Dairy and their Canyon Breeze Holsteins by following them on Facebook, Twitter, and taking a look at their recently launched Blog.

These days dairy farming has become a tough proposition. 20 years ago, there were over 600 dairies in the state of Utah. Today there are just over 240.

So why the change?

There is no single reason that many families have decided to leave dairying, but rising costs of doing business, economic volatility, and a changing global economy contribute. (Click to read more in a recent NYT Magazine Article). Those who have stayed in the game have had to adapt, adjust, grow, and develop. It isn’t always an easy road, but the lifestyle, the love for the animals, and a commitment to the land is what keeps many dairy producers on the farm.

For his dairy to stay afloat, Grant Kohler and his family looked to a new enterprise. Nestled in the western part of the Heber Valley, the Canyon View Dairy has become home to Utah’s latest Artisan Cheese Plant. With a growing market for specialty cheeses, Heber Valley Artisan Cheese is delivering. Listen to Grant talk about this entrepreneurial endeavor:

Welcome to guest blogger, Jennifer Olsen.

Jennifer is the Bride

It’s been a pretty dry winter for our Jersey dairy here in Fallon, NV.  In years past, my husband and brother in law have had to bed the cows with straw over a dozen times by now to keep the cows dry and their udders healthy for milk production, but not this year! Due to the dry weather, they have only had to replace the straw a couple of times. The cows are happy with this warm winter but my concern is for our water supply. In the coming months we will rely heavily on irrigation to nourish the valley, and low snowpack affects water availability in the months and years ahead, which in turn impacts how much crop we can grow per acre.  Even though it is nearing the end of March, there is plenty of time for more snow to fall in the Sierras.  I think our cows would agree that gazing out at snow-capped mountains is preferable to having a snow covered valley – we are hopeful! 

In the meantime, my husband and I are expecting our first baby in July.  We don’t know what we are having, just hoping for a healthy baby. We been married for three and half years and we are looking forward to having some help on the dairy. As for now, I’m enjoying extra glasses of milk as I add in a few additional daily calories to provide rich, natural nutrients for the health of my growing my baby  

In March We Celebrate Agriculture

As we strive to get back to our roots and reconnect you with the land, your food and your farmers, we’d like to share some insight from a recent project of the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food. Earlier this month, with video camera in hand, a department rep headed downtown Salt Lake City and offered residents a chance to ask farmers questions.

Grant Kohler of Heber Valley Artisan Cheese and Canyon View Farms talks about how and why he takes such good care of his cows.

Last year Trent Bown was involved in the “Thank A Farmer” campaign. This year, as he reflected on Ag Day (we celebrated yesterday – 3/8/12), he felt grateful to BE a farmer. Check out his post at USFarmGuys. 

Things do come full circle. 

Thank you farmers – we appreciate all that you do (and we’re glad that you like it too!)