So, funny story. I actually wrote a newsletter three days ago and never sent it. Turns out, maybe that was meant to be. Because if there's one thing we've learned about dairy farming, it's that the work is never quite finished.
The last few days have been a perfect example. There have been some pretty tough moments, a few unexpected blessings, a new arrival, and a whole lot of reminders that farming is as much about weathering the lows as it is celebrating the highs.
And sometimes, all of that happens before lunchtime.
A Tough Week for Two of Our Girls
Tuesday evening brought an unexpected challenge when Falyn, one of our heifers getting ready to have her first calf, suffered a pretty serious injury to one of her teats. She had already been dealing with significant swelling (edema), and unfortunately, the injury was severe enough that her teat was nearly severed at the base of her udder.
We already had the vet scheduled to come out Wednesday to examine Casey, who had been under the weather for nearly two weeks. So we made the most of the visit and had her take a look at both girls.
Unfortunately, Casey's news wasn't what we were hoping for.
After examining her, our vet determined that Casey is in heart failure and likely has been for quite some time, potentially up to a year. The prognosis isn't good, and there isn't much we can do to reverse what's happening.
At nearly 10 years old, Casey has lived a good life and given us so much. For now, our focus is on keeping her comfortable and making the most of the time we have left with her.
It's hard to wrap our heads around the fact that just six weeks ago, she gave birth to two healthy calves while her body was already dealing with so much.
Casey is one of those special cows. She's a natural leader in the herd, has a big presence, and is a cow we've come to depend on. The herd will certainly feel her absence when her time comes. And so will we.
Falyn's news, thankfully, was a little more encouraging.
Despite how severe the injury looked, our vet discovered that the internal structure of the teat was still intact and colostrum was flowing. That was a huge relief, especially with her first calf due any day!
The wound was thoroughly cleaned and stitched up, and now we're waiting to see how well it heals and whether the teat will function normally.
Sometimes the Right People Show Up at the Right Time
Just when we needed a little encouragement, the universe (or maybe a little divine timing) sent us some pretty wonderful visitors.
Thanks to our neighbors at Five Mile Farms for sending a couple of adventurers our way! Cyndee and Rodger are overlanders making their way across the Midwest in their custom-built RV, Big Beaufort, which they've made their permanent home.
You know those people you meet and almost immediately feel like you've known them forever? The kind where you think, "Yep, these are our people."
That's Cyndee and Rodger.
We gave them a tour of the farm, they gave us a tour of their home on wheels, and before long, we invited them to park for the night before heading back out on the road. We spent time sharing stories, talking farming, and getting to know one another.
It's experiences like this that remind us why we embarked on this adventure in the first place. We love meeting new people, sharing our passion for family agriculture, and connecting with others who appreciate where their food comes from.
It was exactly the kind of visit we needed, right when we needed it.
A New Arrival (With a Little Extra Help!)
Thursday morning brought another surprise.
When we headed out for morning chores, Falyn was already in active labor, and we could see two little hooves making their first appearance! We kept an eye on her while getting the morning routine underway. She wasn't showing any signs of distress, so we gave her some time to work through the process.
By the time morning milking was finished, though, things weren't progressing as quickly as we'd hoped. Since this was Falyn's first calf, we wanted to make sure everything was in the right position.
Derrick stepped in to check, confirmed the calf was positioned correctly, and gave Falyn a little extra help getting things moving.
And just like that, we had a beautiful new bull calf on the farm!
And here's the best part: Cyndee and Rodger were still visiting and got to witness the whole thing! Not a bad addition to their farm tour.
It's always a good day when there's a new calf on the ground.
Little Farmers in the Making
As if the week hadn't already been eventful enough, Thursday afternoon brought another group of visitors to the farm. We welcomed nearly 30 kids and parents from a local homeschool co-op for a couple of hours of learning, exploring, and getting a firsthand look at dairy farming.
We talked about what we do, why we do it, how we care for our herd, and all the work that goes into producing the food that eventually makes its way to your table. Of course, the calves were the biggest attraction!
We love opportunities like this. Agriculture is something best experienced firsthand, and being able to share that experience with the next generation is something we don't take for granted.
Why We Keep Showing Up
By the end of Thursday, we were exhausted. The kind of exhausted that comes from a week full of unexpected challenges, difficult decisions, long hours, and very little time to catch your breath.
We're still worried about Falyn. We're still processing the news about Casey. But we're also grateful for new friends, a healthy new calf, and the opportunity to share what we do with the next generation.
Dairy farming isn't always pretty or predictable, and it certainly isn't always easy. But weeks like this remind us why we are here. It's about caring for the animals, building relationships, sharing knowledge, and creating something meaningful for our family and our community.
We'll weather the storms, celebrate the victories, and keep moving forward.
— Jessica