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On the day a few weeks ago when Jonathan Gates let his cows out into the fields for the first time after a long winter, several members of the herd take to the dirt instead of the grass. This often happens--there's something in the earth that they apparently crave. Theories about this differ, but for now we're happy to just watch the cows and heifers being happy.
Got a question for farmer Jonathan? Write him here by clicking onto "comments" just below.
The fields had been greening up fast during the current warm weather. The cows, and the farmers, were getting restless wanting to get out to the pastures and the green grass. We had a good crew around today, so we loaded up the wagon with fencing supplies, hitched on with the four-wheeler, and headed down the lane. Noah, Justin, and my nieces Emily and Maddy manned the wagon and ATV, while I made my way down the line of fence posts with my 12-pound post maul in tow.
We made our way around the grazing strip the cows would go into first, checking all the posts and tightening up the polywire and high tensile wire. We only had to replace one cedar post, using one of the posts my brother-in-law Marty had helped me cut last week. He was on school break, too, (he drives a school bus route), and I put him to work. While I ran a strip of polywire and fiberglass posts, Justin and Emily towed a 400-gallon stock tank from the far end of the lane to the paddock we were working on. With that in place, the pasture was ready for the cows (See video of the cows being let out.) I charged the water line, and while the stock tank filled we headed down to the brook crossing for lunch.
Karen had filled son Noah's “Radio Flyer” wagon with everything needed for a cookout. Hot dogs, buns, ketchup, mustard, chips, pickles, lemonade, and Ben & Jerry's ice cream made for a delicious reward after a hard morning's work. Karen, Noah and Maddy had a fire ring built and a fire going when we made it to the bottom of Log Hill. In no time we were chowing down on fire-blackened hot dogs, while Yukon watched anxiously for any dropped morsel. With the main course done, Karen dished out the Ben & Jerry's into the empty drinking cups. "Cake Batter", "Brownie Batter", and "Turtle Soup" all hit the spot. Even Yukon helped clean out one of the empty pint containers. After having lunch at Applebee's at the mall yesterday, we all agreed that lunch today was WAY better!! Everything was picked up, the fire put out, and we headed back to the barn to let the girls out into the grazing strip we had gotten ready for them. We couldn't wait for the show to begin!
Got a question for farmer Jonathan? Write him here by clicking onto "Comments" just below.
Like a bunch of pent up fourth graders finally let out for recess, Jonathan's herd finally got to touch the real earth of their fields last week after a long, cold winter in their barn and feed pens. With so much snow on the ground in your average Vermont winter, Jonathan feeds these organic gals with his own hay bales and grain, and they don't get to venture far from the barn in the cold months. Then, like everyone else in northern New England, they just go hog wild when the warm weather finally comes and what is for them the Cat's Pajamas--real grass and dirt. Jonathan spends his late winter months repairing fences and making sure the pastures are ready for the herd. Then, when all is well, the weather warm and the snow gone, the herd is set free. This annual spring ritual is called "Turnout Day" and everyone at Howmars Farm likes to watch the spectacle. (See last year's Turnout Day here. And, the year before here. ) You'll see Dena, the oldest one in the herd and a Stonyfield Farm "Have-a-Cow" participant. Kathy, who was unknowingly born in the woods back in October of 2005, makes a cameo appearance in this video as well.
Since we here at Stonyfield Farm are all for natural and organic remedies whenever possible, we recommend that you watch this video any time you're feeling blue. You'll end up just as happy as this herd.
Did you know Stonyfield Farm is 25 years old this month?
Care to comment--on the video or on our birthday? Click on "comments" just below.
