May 09, 2005
Out on the grass, finally, the cows are in hog heaven
Today was the day we had been looking forward to since last fall, when the cows went on a full ration of round bale forage. The cows were turned out on pasture this morning. We had hoped to turn them out a week ago, but the 3 1/2 inches of rain over the last two weeks had made things a little muddy around here. Since Tuesday afternoon we really haven't had any rain and things have dried up a bit.
We had been working on mending fences the past several days, and finally this morning after milking I plugged the electric fencer in and opened the gate to let the cows out of the barnyard. They were off like a shot, running and jumping out into the meadow. Even the oldest cows acted like youngsters as they ran here and there, sniffing and snorting. When we see our cows celebrating like this, out in the sunshine and fresh air, I feel sorry for all the cows kept on farms where they never even get to leave the barn.
There isn't a lot of grass right now, but the sunshine and warm temperatures that we will be getting over the next few days will make the grass take off. Then we will have the wonderful challenge of moving the cows through the grazing rotation to have them eat the grass before it gets too tall. The people here at Howmars Farm enjoy the grazing season just as much as the cows.
--Jonathan, Howmars Farm
Franklin, Vermont
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Posted by Blogger Chris at May 9, 2005 04:23 PM
I have a couple of questions about dairy cows. Do they have to be kept pregnant to continue to give milk? What happens to your cows when they no longer give milk? Thanks.
The look in the cows' eyes says it all! Thanks for sharing these great pictures with us.
The sight of green grass and warm weather turns us all on . We have just one farm left here in Warren NH and I visit it often just for the smells and activity. We enjoy your articles.
Your stock is so clean and healthy (all the time too). Of course, with muddy pastures that won't last too long, but they surely are beautiful animals. They reflect the hard work and pride your family has with its organic operation.
Do you enter any of them in state fairs, etc.?
Wish I was up in the Northeast Corridor -- temps are in the high 80's here now; but it has been a cool, wet spring in East Texas.
What an awesome sight! Thanks for snapping the photos for us. It does cheer one up to see all the cows enjoying the spring pasture and kicking up their heels!
What, even you in the US now have some problems getting enough rain (damn this global warming)? I thought it only down under (in Australia) we had chronic drought: prays that the frogs awaken the rain and Thunder beings this lunar month! (Oops, nearly typed "down udder", btw: god/dess bless these little Freudian typos, and you and all your cows!) ;-))
Your love for what you do shows in every picture - and I do enjoy your pictures and stories. Looks and sounds like a little bit of heaven.
Helen Dasher
what great pictures...it's nice to see the cows frollicking so happily!
Jonathan Gates reports from Howmars Farm in Franklin, Vermont.