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October 12, 2011

The fall colors are still beautiful, but are winding down now.  The fruit bushes and trees in the woods have been full.   The apples are abundant and big and we like them when we can get our muzzles on them.  I don't know if the farmer's tale will hold true, but when the woods bear much fruit the winter is supposed to be hard.  It is called a heavy mast.  I guess we'll just wait and see. 

I just heard a raucous coming from the pasture.  Apparently, Layla or Wayla as she is affectionately called, just heard the whey being pumped to the free stall barn.  I do hope that cow shows some self-control soon.  She drinks so much whey that she bloats up like a whale.  Then she stands and moans.  I think she is a lush and a glutton!  Most of us cows show some restraint and control our inner beast, but not Layla.  When will she ever learn?  You humans don't have this problem, do you?

Seems like we've been receiving a lot of whey out here this fall, must be the cheese business keeps on rolling.  It is good to know that people appreciate the product we are a part of providing.  Enjoy the rest of the fall weather, folks.   

September 6, 2011

I just spotted the first red leaves coming on the maple tree in the front lawn here at God's Country Creamery.  I guess that means that summer is on its way out and fall is arriving.  Around here that also means that Mr. Mark and Miss Melanie are on their own again as the kids went back to college.  Miss Hannah has been coming home on weekends and plans to do so for the semester.  Mister Philip is on the Penn State Dairy Cattle Judging team and is headed to Springfield, MA, Harrisburg, PA and Madison, WI this fall.  On the weekends in between he will be practicing for the contests so there will be no seeing him until the end of October.  Miss Rachel is back working on her doctorate and will be home as time allows. 

Everyone works here at Wellwyn Farm and the Creamery.  It is hard work to treat us cows like queens, harvest our milk and make that yummy cheese!  Some days I watch the Bachmans and think that I have an easy life.  I wonder who makes their beds, serves their food and keeps them comfy?  I don't seem to see anyone else lurking around in the shadows to get these things done.  Hmmmm......it is a wonder.  Oh well, we try to treat them well.  Sometimes we get a little grumpy, but we don't mean any harm by it.  It is awfully hard to keep our tails from swinging whenever they touch us.  It is just our natural reaction.....built in fly swatters. 

Ho hum, it is a dreary, sleepy day.  I think I'll just head out to munch on some of that green grass that is finally growing after this rain, and take a late morning nap.  Catch ya all later!   

September 3, 2011

Been a very busy summer around here.  Mister Philip had quite a summer making cheese and travelling around.  He was named a finalist in the National Holstein Distinguished Junior Member contest and he was a part of the winning dairy bowl team at the American Dairy Science Association contest for Penn State. 

The show season was successful with showing at the Potter County Fair and the NE Championship Holstein Show.  Josie seemed to be the highlight of the year.  She is a first-time two-year old who is looking pretty fancy.  Of course, Shauna was Grand Champion at the county fair again in the Holstein breed.  Jenni, Miss Hannah's Jersey cow, was Grand Champion at the Potter County fair.  That makes Jenni purple undefeated at the county level.  She made a trip to Louisville last year that made her question her desire to ever get on a trailer again. 

Layla is once again in the milking string and is living up to her nickname, "Wheyla".  She has become the leader of the group affectionately called, "The Whey Hoggs".  The rest of the goup includes Trixie the Brown Swiss, Hissy of course, and Squirt the neighbors red and white Holstein.  They stand by the whey tanks and wait not so patiently for the whey to emerge.  They do not realize that God's Country Creamery actually produces cheese......they only know about the whey.  Layla actually stand and bawls for the whey to come if she thinks it is coming too slowly. 

Well, I will be off about my "moo-gathering".  Hopefully, I can be more productive around here again. 

March 31, 2011

Whew, March is leaving like a lion for sure.  It seems it came in like a lamb, but was only lamb-like for a couple days and has been roaring like a lion since.  Everyone here at God's Country Creamery cows and people alike are anxious for spring to come.  The lure of green grass is so enticing.  We still have snow here in Potter County.  Mr. Mark did open the back curtain because it was 40-50 degrees for a couple days.  Boy that gave us bovines a taste of spring fever.  I must say we were a rather rambunctious group.  However, all good things must come to an end because it got cold all over again.  We are now waiting for the real thing.  I heard Ms. Melanie say the other day she was praying for early grass.  We are all in agreement. 

News from the calving pen is that both Shauna and Jazz had boys.  That was quite a disappointment to Hannah & Philip since they were hoping for girls for the show season.  Good news is that both cows are doing well and have started adding a bunch of milk to the tank.  Shauna is quickly regaining her royal status in the herd.  She has not let herself into the parlor yet, but she has gone to requesting that someone lead her in by her neck chain.  She of course received the number "1" when we all got our numbers.  We all agree that she deserves it, but it doesn't stop the rest of us from trying to be just a little higher in the royal court. 

Sending our best wishes for spring's speedy arrival.  Green grass and colorful flowers will be greatly welcomed. 

March 15, 2011

Well, just like Mr. Mark thought, Ruby had her calf today.  In fact, the new baby was already up and eating from her mommy when Mr. Mark and Miss Melanie arrived at the barn for morning chores.  Rosie is the newest member of our little family.  Let me tell you, that Rosie has quite the appetite.  Mr. Mark feeds her two quarts of milk at each feeding.  When Miss Melanie comes to visit her, she starts mooing really loudly like she hasn't already eaten.  Miss Melanie calls her a little lier. 

There are still three cows in the maternity pen...so keep checking back for the latest excitement here at God's Country Creamery.

March 14, 2011

Oh, heavens.  I have been so busy lately.  I know I promised you an interview with the spring calf pen, but this is simply going to have to be put on hold.  There are just more important things to talk about today.  It is calving season here at God's Country Creamery, and we have the first little one running around today.  Hummer just had her first little baby this afternoon.  It's a girl!  She is so cute.  She is a little darker than Hummer and has a thin blaze down her head.  I think I heard Miss Melanie saying that he name is going to be Hildie.  Both Hildie and Hummer are doing really well.  Hummer had never been milked before today, but I hear that she was a real sweetheart in the milking parlor.

There's still another four cows in the maternity pen that are due within the next two weeks: Shauna, Ruby, Jazz, and Beulah.  Mr. Mark says that Ruby will be the next to have her calf.  He guesses that she'll calve tomorrow, and he'll get up in the middle of the night to check on her.  Stay tuned to read the news.

January 21, 2011

What a lovely winter morning today!  We got another four inches of snow in the night, so now we have a good ten inches total.  Well, that's at least what the Bachmans said.  Us cows, we don't go outside in the winter.  We stay inside the barn where it is warmer.  The Bachmans bring tasty hay bales to eat right in the barn since there would be no grass outside to eat anyway this time of year.  The hay they feed us is as close to eating grass as we can get during our Potter County winters.  Since we live up in the mountains of Pennsylvania, we don't get as much snow as places closer to the Great Lakes, but it does get mighty cold here.  It was 11 degrees this morning.   In fact, there have only been a handful of days above freezing this winter so far. 

Have you checked out all the new stuff on the website?  You'll especially want to check out the new faces on the Meet the Cows page.  There was a lot of talk in the barn this morning about the new changes.  There's always a lot of excitement over who is going to be selected for the Meet the Cow page.  This time, however, one particular pen of calves feels very under-represented since not one of them made the Meet the Cow page.  To ease the pain of this rejection, I've agreed to do an interview with this group of calves on my next post.  Stay tuned to hear from Lucy, Jive, Jaylyn, and Sweetie next time. 

October 18, 2010

Oh what a dry period I've had........but now I am back with fresh news.  Just a little bovine humor for those of you familiar with our ways.  I must apologize as I just had a jet-setting summer keeping up with the show season, the growing season, and the tourist season.  I've been basking in the sun and just sipping the cool spring water.  Now I've got to get back to business. 

Once again the Bachmans had a successful year of showing from the Potter County fair all the way to Harrisburg.  In fact, not all of us have completed the tanbark trail even yet.  Jenni, Hannah's senior two-year old, Jersey will be travelling to Louisville, KY for the All-American Jersey show the first weekend in November.  Jenni placed 2nd at the state show which qualified her for an almost all-expense paid trip through the PA Jersey Cattle Club.  It will be an exciting time for Hannah and Jenni. 

On the same day as the cattle show, God's Country Creamery will be taking part in the food show near Pittsburgh.  It is a divide and conquer day with many hands working to accomplish this dual task.  Chores at home still must be done while everyone else is gallivanting around the country.  I guess I'll just have to get back to work and keep everyone here in line. 

It's been a bit chilly here in the hills of PA again.  We have officially had a killing frost......23 degrees to be exact.  It is refreshing after the hot summer we had.  We cows like it a bit cooler than you humans do.  Our body temperature is 101.5 and so we run a little hotter furnace than you all.  We like the cooler weather when we are working. 

I do not want to run on too much for my first day back.  It looks like Hissy is in the expectant cow area.  The calendar says she is due to have her baby on October 30.  I'll be back with the news if now before then.  Happy trails to you! 

April 29, 2010

Spring is definitely here, but the mornings surely have been cold.  Twenty-four degrees yesterday morning!  We bovines don't know whether to shed our winter coats or not.  I'm guessing you humans are having the same problem.  The sun is shining today though and the green grass just keeps on growing. 

Thought I'd take a couple minutes and update you on the young'ns around here.  Jimmy is Jenni's bull calf and he is getting a new home.  One of the raw milk customers wants him, so after he is weaned he will be travelling across town to be loved by his new family.  Lucy is growing like a weed.  Her growth spurt has prompted a new nickname.....Moosie.  So, from here on out, she is Moosie Lucy.  Miss Hannah hopes she keeps on growing so she will make a good spring calf for this year's show season.  We also have Jive who is Mr. Philip's spring calf.  Her name says it all.  She just cannot stand still for a minute.  Her feet are always moving.  I guess Philip new something we didn't when he named her.  Jive is a fast dance step and she would not have a problem keeping step I'm sure. 

We are patiently waiting for the next new baby to be born.  Jules is due tomorrow and her calf's name will be posted.  The Bachmans have received some very clever names to pick from.  Keep checking the website to here the latest on this one. 

April 15, 2010

Yippee, yahoo, goody gumdrops!  The back door of the barn opened and the green grass is waiting for us.  We all love the freedom, the yummy taste and the sunshine that the outdoors brings.  This is an early spring and we are rejoicing.  Hallelujah!  Can you tell I am excited?  This means that we are able to roam the hills and graze to our hearts desire for a long, long time.  It also makes chores for the Bachmans easier since they don't have to bring us our feed or haul away our manure.  They will have to come get us and bring us to the barn for milking time.  We also will get a nutritious snack to balance out our grass ration when we come in.

I hope your Spring has sprung and that you are enjoying the wonders of life coming back full, fresh and new.  Blessings for a great season! 

April 5, 2010

Today is Holstein classification day.  It has been a busy weekend.  Everyone is home and they have been very busy.  All the Holsteins (the black & white ones) got a bath and a haircut in preparation to meet the Holstein Association classifier.  Maybe I should explain.  Classification is a program offered by Holstein Association Inc. that compares the type conformation (how we look) to the perfect cow.  The perfect cow of course is scored 100 points.  There has never been one scored over 97 points.  It is indeed a privilege to be scored Excellent which is 90 points or higher.  Very good is also a very acceptable score.  Well, today Shauna was appreciated by more than just the folks around Wellwyn Farm.  Steve Neely, the Holstein official classifier made her 90 points.  She took it all in stride because she really does know she is beautiful and just nuzzled up to Hannah who she knows loves her dearly.  The rest of the herd did pretty well too.  Janet was made 88 points and several others moved higher in their scores.  Hissy even made 85 which is Very Good.  Not that Hissy had any idea that anything different was happening or that she even will remember it tomorrow, but she is now in the elite group of Very Good cows here at the farm. 

By having numerical scores given to each of us, people can look at our pedigrees without even seeing us and know something about what we look like.  This is very beneficial if any of us or our offspring go to a sale.  Because Wellwyn Farm is small and wants to stay that way, they sell some of us from time to time.  It is another way to bring in income and we get to go to another dairy who needs more cattle or who wants an extra special calf to show during the show season. 

Whew, I need to rest.  We've been primped and pampered more than I think I can stand for one day.  Happy trails to you!   

March 10, 2010

Things must be picking up around here again.  We had a lovely group of students, teachers, and parents from the Hebron Christian School here on Monday.  What a polite group of students and what smart questions they asked!  We cows like all the attention we get from tour groups.  Trixie is always the first to greet newcomers and she tends to be a show-off.  Always that way with the camera too......little Miss Photogenic she is.  This group even got a special tour of the milk truck pick-up.  Mr. Gene, the truck driver, was gracious enough to explain his job to the group.  A good milk truck driver is very valuable.  We put our milk in his care to get it to the cooperative for bottling and processing.  Here at God's Country Creamery, they do not use all the milk that we produce for cheese yet.  That is the goal, but we are just milking too much for the cheese market right now. 

Sounds like another small group is coming tomorrow.  I love it when people come to hear about us cows and the product we produce.  It seems to me that most people can find a type of cheese that they really love.  Some of the names of the cheeses sound confusing, but if you just ask for a sample, the folks in the creamery are more than happy to give you what you want. 

March 4, 2010

Dr. Green, calling Dr. Green......Oh Lord, give us cows patience to endure til spring when the grass is GREEN.  Help us not to become anxious or antsy or grumpy.  Give us patience with our caretakers and with each other.  Help us not to step on each other and to be gracious neighbors.  Amen! 

Being out on pasture makes all of us feel a lot better.  Every year at this time, we just get grumpy and want our Dr. Green.  Even the veterinarian prescribes Dr. Green at this time of year.  I am seeing patches of potential grass coming between the snow patches.  We have been having a great week.....sunshine and warmth.  It is just making me more anxious for the real thing.  Until it comes, I will keep praying for patience. 

February 15, 2010

I hope you all had a blessed Valentine's Day filled with love and romance with your sweetie.  For the singles out there, I hope you treated yourself with love and affection and something extra special.  I was ruminating just this morning about some terms we use around God's Country Creamery and Wellwyn Farm.  I am guessing that some of them are foreign to some of you.  For instance, just what does the word "artisan" mean?  In general terms it means, handcrafted with care.  In regards to our cheeses, it means that each batch is made by hand and is not mass produced.  There will be subtle differences depending on the time of year and the composition of our milk.  For instance, when we are out on pasture our milk has more flavor and it makes more color in the cheese.  Here at the creamery, we try to keep everything consistently tasting good, but you will experience some subtle differences from time to time.  However, you can always count on a quality product regardless of the time of year. 

Maybe some of you are not familiar with the differences in milk either.  The Bachmans are licensed to sell raw milk and raw milk cheeses.  Raw milk is simply milk that is not pasteurized.  Pasteurization is a process that heats milk up to kill bacteria.  Because the milk here at Wellwyn Farm has to undergo extra testing and pass lower bacteria counts than other milk that is going to be pasteurized, the bacteria is not a problem.  In past history, cattle carried diseases such as tuberculosis and brucellosis that would be harmful to humans.  Today, those diseases have been eradicated and no longer pose a danger. 

BTW, homogenized milk is milk that has the fat globules smashed and is distributed through the milk evenly.  That is why you have to shake the jug of raw milk to distribute the cream because the cream always rises to the top in raw milk.  Homogenized milk doesn't need to be shaken.  It is a hard habit to break though I've been told if you are used to having raw milk. 

Raw milk produces a fuller broader spectrum of flavor in cheese than pasteurized and homogenized milk.  Raw milk also has all the enzymes undisturbed as they occur naturally.  There are many you think that makes raw milk healthier for you.  Some people believe this helps people who are lactose intolerant because the lactase (the enzyme that digests milk sugar) is still intact in raw milk.  Regardless of the things people believe about raw milk, I have heard that it surely tastes better! 

February 9, 2010

Ah, it is snowing again.  It isn't that we've had so much snow in Potter Co., but we bovines are getting tired of winter anyway.  I heard some murmurings around the water trough this morning that the ladies are getting grumpy with winter.  "We want sun, grass and more sun."  Just like you humans, we get dry skin and our winter coats are getting itchy.  The Bachmans try to keep our udders conditioned and our feet clean and healthy, but it is a hard job.  About this time of year, we get antsy to go roam the meadows filled with grass and freedom.  At least we can move about the free stall and aren't confined to one stall, but it is still getting long.  The one major benefit to being inside is that we don't have to walk far for our feed.  However, it tends to make us lazy and loafy. 

I do think there is hope for spring coming though because we smelled a skunk around the barn this morning.  Either spring is coming or that is one messed up skunk. 

I enjoy all the seasons, but for some reason, winter seems to last the longest.  The snow is pretty and when it is so cold, the snow glitters like diamonds.  We will continue to appreciate the wonders of winter, but it doesn't hurt to long for the warmer days coming. 

February 3, 2010

Sounds like some of my sister bovines have made the ABC news.  I just don't know what to believe these days.  I know we here at Wellwyn Farm get the best of treatment.  I feel badly that not all cows are treated as well.  I do know that many dairy farmers are doing a great job at keeping their cows comfortable.  A happy cow is a profitable cow and most dairy producers are well aware of that.  It is too bad that the bad apples in the bunch have to get all the attention in the media.  Dairy farming is a complex business as I see it from the cows end.  We need a lot of care to produce quality milk, but our owners don't get paid enough for the time they put in.  That makes them get larger and larger and then it is harder and harder to take good care of so many cows.  It's too bad that the media doesn't get ahold of whoever sets the milk price at a level that makes our farmers lose money. 

I know I am thankful for the clean barn we have to live in and that we always have enough to eat.  We get treated with much tender loving care and I know many days we eat our meals way before the Bachmans do.  Most farms are like that.  I wish people would just get their facts straight.  Why is it that someone who has no clue what it is like to work such long hours can make such claims?  I guess people are always looking for an easy answer and a quick fix.  We bovines know you have to ruminate on the facts and regurgitate them over and over again to understand things fully.  We also know you have to walk a mile in someone else's hoofprints to be qualified to talk about any issue.  This is "udderly" ridiculous. 

Bessie urges you to know where your food comes from and support your local dairy farmer.  Have confidence in the food you eat and then support the ones who work so hard to provide it for you.  Just remember, don't complain about farmers with your mouth full. 

January 21, 2010

Here I am again.....aren't I doing well with my New Year's resolution?  Now you just can't shut me up.  What a night we had in the barn two nights ago!  It all started when the heifer, Hummer (who happens to be Hissy's daughter) tried to jump the partition between her and the younger heifers.  I don't know what possessed her to try such a thing, but must be her pen mates were just getting too rowdy for her and she wanted to escape.  Well, she did not make it and got stuck!  Thankfully, Miss Hannah found her and called for help.  Miss Rachel and Miss Melanie came running (it seems the men of the farm were all away) and had quite a puzzle to figure out.  All ended well as they helped get Hummer over the partition and back in her pen.  It took some figuring, pushing and lots of praying, but Hummer was safe and sound with no broken bones or even any bruises. 

I am reminded that Miss Hannah found Hissy herself in a similar situation a year ago when Mr. Mark & Miss Melanie were on vacation.  She had to even call the neighbor in to help get Hissy unstuck.  I guess it could be said "like mother, like daughter".  I do hope they stop trying these acrobatic antics before someone gets hurt. 

Later on, because of all the hub-bub, we cattle discovered that somehow the gate between the cows and yearling heifers was left unlatched when the ladies went to the house.  Well, well, well, let me tell you, we cows are curious and always up for an adventure, so we went exploring.  Of course, the younger generation had to follow suit and we just got all mixed up.  When Miss Rachel came to the barn in the morning, she met Josie (Master Philip's fancy show calf) lying backwards in the cow stalls.  She knew something was up and upon further investigation found that six of the milking cows were in with the yearlings and Trista had joined Josie with the milking cows.  Only we cows know what all transpired in the midnight hours.  Of course, that secret is just too private for us bovines to share.  I've heard that humans like routine, but it happens that cattle like adventure.  So, we have to keep some secrets up our sleeves.

That's all for now folks, but I've got more stories forming and they will be forthcoming soon.

January 19, 2010

Well, well.....Reba turned out to be Rocky.  No heifer from Ruby, but a big strapping bull calf.  Better luck next time.  No offense to the male species, but we just aren't able to incorporate the bulls in the dairy here at Wellwyn Farm.  Rocky will go to the neighbors when he is a bit older.  Now we have no expected babies until March.  It will be quiet in the calving pen for awhile.

I was just reflecting on what service we cows receive here at Wellwyn.  Each night and morning, someone comes in and cleans our beds.  Our barn is scraped night and morning also.  Our feed is laid out before us and we are literally waited on hand and foot.  If anyone's appetite is a bit off, they are watched very intently.  They are also given a probiotic or stomach pills.  I've seen the Bachmans go without their meals in order to make sure we get ours.  They are very dedicated to our care. 

I don't have much else going today, but I thought I'd share the news on Ruby.  Stay tuned for more upcoming news and events.  Tata!

January 14, 2010

We are awaiting another calf to be born at Wellwyn Farm.  Ruby is due tomorrow and everyone is pulling for a heifer.  Her appointed name will be Reba.  Now we just have to wait for her arrival.  Maybe I should fill everyone in on the significance of Wellwyn.  When registering a purebred cow, the name must begin with what we call a prefix.  Ours is Wellwyn.  The origin of this prefix came from Mr. Mark's father's herd of Shorthorns in Ohio.  James Bachman originated the prefix by making a contraction of We Will Win=Wellwyn.  Mr. Mark wanted to keep this prefix going so he and Miss Melanie adopted it for their own herd of registered Holsteins.  Today it is used for all the breeds here at Wellwyn Farm.  Ruby's calf will be called Wellwyn Lheros Reba.  Lheros is for the sire (father). 

We all win here at Wellwyn Farm because everyone works as a family.......us cows included.  Most days are good, but life is life and some days aren't.  Winter poses its own kind of challenges and opportunities, but today's balmy temperature in the 30's helped to thaw some places out.  Thankfully, all water and equipment has been running smoothly, but the ice has been building up around the doors and such. 

I am so glad for this time to chat with you.  Hopefully, you now know more about our naming process.  See ya next time. 

January 11, 2010

Bessie is resolved as of this day to keep a better track of the happenings of the herd here at Wellwyn Farm and God's Country Creamery!!!!  There, I've committed to it publicly.  How does once a week sound?  It has been so busy around here.  Since I've last logged in, we've had three cows freshen (had babies).  Blessed and Janet are back in the milking string and Georgia, a new 2-year old, has entered the ranks of the milking cows.  All mamas are doing well.   Around here, we call Blessed, Too Blessed to be Stressed.  She has never been known to work too hard in giving milk.  In the past, she just ate and grew fat.  Actually, she just laid around mostly.  Sometimes she didn't even care if she ate.  I think she must have been convicted of her laziness because so far this year, she seems to be putting a little more milk in the tank for the cheesemaking process.  She still does not move very fast and she gives the milkers a time in getting her in the parlor, but she is a much more willing worker now. 

Well, tomorrow is Philip's birthday.  He is back at Penn State starting his spring semester.  He had a very busy winter break making over 800 pounds of cheese.  We always feel so privileged on cheese making days when we get to eat the leftover whey.  We give the milk.....we get the whey.  Some of us get a little too carried away at the whey tank, if you know what I mean.  I mean to tell you that Hissy and Trixie are lushes when that stuff comes in the tank.  They just don't know when to stop. 

As long as I'm spreading gossip......let me fill you in on some tid-bits on Shauna.  Everyone around here thinks Shauna is royalty (including her), but she does have some weaknesses.  Actually, she is afraid of water.  Yes, she absolutely hates it.  The Bachmans take special care to spray our feet with the hose every milking to keep our feet healthy.  Shauna is Miss Prissy Feet.  She just steps and stomps and puts up a fuss.  She does not even like to get her bath at the fair.  I don't know why.  I just love that showery feeling from my head to my toes.  It's like going to the spa.  I just soak it in......ooh, la, la. 

Well, I'd better go.  I will be seeing you no later than a week.  Remember your resolution, Bessie.  I think I can, I think I can.  Tata! 

November 30, 2009

What a day this turned out to be!  All started out well as the milk tester was here for morning milking.  She takes milk samples and measures how much we are milking.  This helps the Bachmans know what to feed us and how to take care of us better.  So things were going super well through 3 switches (9 cows).  Then just as Melanie finished putting the milkers on the last cow in the 4th switch, the electricity went out.  Everything was dark, the milkers fell off, and the vacuum went out of the system and let milk leak out all over.  What a mess!   For the first half hour everyone just waited and realized once again just how dependent we are on electricity.  Then Mark scurried around and got the generator out and hooked up the portable milker pump.  Milking finally continued one cow at a time in the bucket.  Then of course that bucket had to be dumped into the bulk tank.  We got 2 more cows milked and the power came back on.  What a relief! 

Everything finally got back to normal and testing and milking continued.  Clean-up took a bit longer than usual, but everything is back to being spic and span.  By the way, Shauna was the high cow at 111 pounds of milk for the day.  That translates into just about 13 gallons.  She is certainly doing well since she had her calf 5 weeks ago.  The rest of us cows thinks she is quite spoiled, but I guess she deserves it since she is working so hard and looking so pretty.  She chooses when she is milked.  When she is ready, she just opens the door and lets herself in.  Sometimes she chooses to stay out and eat more at the feed bunk with less competition.   Then she is milked in the last switch.  Other times, she is ready to be milked and just steps right in. 

Well, I'd better sign off.  There is much excitement around here with the holidays coming.  Gift boxes, specialty cheeses, lots of work.  Maybe we'll get an extra tasty slice of hay for Christmas.  Bye for now! 

November 2, 2009 

My oh, my!  Where has all the time gone?  I have been so busy trying to keep the herd in line so the Bachmans don't have so much work to do with Rachel and Philip back in college.  It is a big job, but someone has to do it.  The daily chores and cheesemaking have been left for Mark, Melanie and Hannah to do.  As winter approaches and we have to stay inside, the chores get more numerous and laborious. 

The show cow divas are back home now.  Four of them made a trip to Harrisburg for the PA junior dairy show and the Premier National Junior Dairy Show.  The highest placing from the 3 shows was Jazz in second.  Trista was 4th in the Premier National Junior Brown Swiss show.  All the animals placed in the top half of there classes all week.  The Bachmans were very pleased with the outcome.  Everyone is home now and happy to keep growing and making milk. 

The fall colors were absolutely beautiful again this year.  However, they were interrupted with 4-6 inchese of snow a couple weeks ago.  That was much too early for this herd.  We were still enjoying the grass only to find it covered up and hard to find.  We are now in the barn eating some good wrapped round bales and living on our sandy beach stalls.  We are in loose housing, called a free stall so we can come and go to eat and drink or lounge as we please. 

Shauna is finally back in the milking herd.  We all expected her to calve in mid-September, but she only had her calf ten days ago.  Not sure what was up with that because she was checked pregnant with a blood test for September.  However, Mark & Rachel thought they saw her in heat later and went ahead and bred her.  The rest of the family picked on them because the blood work had come back positive.  However, they were apparently right.  Anyhow, little Shnooki came backwards into the world.  She is doing well.  It was a bit hard on momma Shauna, but she is coming along quite well now.  The Bachmans do not think she is back to herself in opening the parlor and letting herself in yet, but what they don't know is that she has been doing it for the hired help when they are not here.  She waits patiently for the last switch in the parlor for them, but when they are gone and the hired help is here, she just sneaks in early.  She is a funny cow! 

Well, I've got to get some beauty rest.  Morning milking comes early ya know. 

 August 8, 2009

Well, golly wally, my poor little brain is full from all the stories my friends told me from their week at the fair.  Eleven of us went to the Potter County fair this week (I stayed home...someone has to make milk for the creamery) and believe me they all had stories to tell about their adventure.  Oh, yes, that is right...Bedazzle wanted me to say a special thank you to everyone that visited, petted, and gave her some lovin at the fair.  She is a wee bit more spoiled now, but she loved all the attention. 

The fair week adventures started this past Monday when Philip, Hannah, and Rachel gave baths to each of the show string and gave them full body hair cuts.  Tuesday a cow limosine pulled up and drove the cows over to the fair grounds.  The rest of Tuesday and Wednesday the cows all basically lounged around and got the finishing touches on their haircuts.  At the fair, the cows really live the life.  They get a bath everyday, the Bachmans carry all their feed and water to them, and they are kept perfectly clean.  Plus they really love the chance to see so many people. 

Thursday, the real fun started...SHOW DAY!!  Before every cow enters the show ring for the beauty contest they are brushed and shined, and their tails are fluffed and styled.  All the cows are led by either Philip or Hannah who walk them around like they are queens.  Thursday proved to be a very successful day for the show string: 9 firsts, 2 seconds, 1 Grand Champion (Trixie), 3 Jr. Champions, 2 Reserve Jr. Champions, and a whole lot of fun....GO TEAM.  Well, when they were telling me how well they did, I just couldn't quite take it all in.  But then they told me to sit down for Friday's news: all the animals won their class plus Philip won his showmanship class!  What?!  Wow, I was impressed, so I did a little victory lap in the pasture.  They finally did get me to calm down and explained that the best part was how much fun they had with each other, the other cows, the Bachmans, and all of you.

I think we all should get some rest and lay low for a few days...cuz the next show string leaves on Thursday.  Stay tuned for an update on the next show.  If you get a chance, they'd love to have your support at the next show.  Check out the show times on the Tioga County Fair website.

July 17, 2009

Let me tell you a little about what it takes to get ready for the fair.  First of all, each animal needs to be trained to lead and respond quickly to the halter.  Usually we learn quite quickly.  In order to do well in shows, we need to trust our showman and to do what they want us to.  Our feet need to be place in proper position when we stop and we need to walk in a stately manner as we parade around the ring.  It is very socially unacceptable to be beligerant or out of control in the showring.  It takes a lot of practice and committment from the showmen to get us to this point.  The Bachmans usually have some of us out every day through the summer. 

The youth shows have actual contests for the showmen to exhibit their talents. All three of the Bachman children love to show and have put a lot of time and energy into training their animals and sharpening their own skills.  Philip was in the final round of the showmanship at the All-American dairy show in Harrisburg last year.  He hopes to make the final 10 before he is finished.  That show brings in competitiors from all across the country.  Only 1 person from Pennsylvania made the top 10 last year. 

This year Philip has quite a challenge in training Trista, his Brown Swiss fall calf.  She is Trixie's daughter.  Whenever Philip pulls on her halter, she locks her feet and pulls the other direction.  Usually, Philip is the one who helps Hannah train her animals because he has a way about him that animals like.  However, Trista has a mind of her own.  Already, Philip has lead her for no less than an hour every day for the last week.  He is beginning to see some improvement.  Hannah has been following Trista around to keep her moving.  Hannah believes she has now paid Philip back for all his help over the years.  We'll keep you posted as to how Trista does through the show season. 

Besides leading animals almost every day, we have to be vaccinated against disease.  This keeps all the animals at the shows healthy.  It also helps keep the animals at home healthy because they receive the same shots as we do.  Each herd of cows has different immunities to different diseases.  When you mix cattle from different herds there is always a danger of passing some disease along that those animals are not immune to.  Once again, you can see that cow health is very important.  It is much like I have heard that humans get shots to prevent diseases. 

We also have to be sparkiling clean to go to the shows.  We get a bath with lots of bubbles.  Our black needs to shine, our white needs to sparkle and our browns need to glimmer.  The biggest thing showmen can do to achieve this is to keep us clean.  It is much easier to prevent the dirt than to remove the stains.  We also get a hair cut before each show.  It really makes us feel good to get the dirt our and the extra hair off.  It is like a day at the spa.  Sometimes we need to be convinced that the noise of the electric clippers and the shock of the spraying water will not hurt us, but once we get used to it, we absolutely love it.  At the fair we get a bath each and every day. 

Everyone will miss Saundra this year at the shows.  This is the first year in a long while that she will not be with us.  We are saddened by her passing, but we do appreciate her leaving us with Shawna and her personality quirks.  We become part of the Bachman family the longer we are around.  They welcome each and every new animal, but some of us old-timers get the extra perks. 

Things will continue to be busy around here, but we will try to keep everyone posted on the success of the show season.  It is a great way to get out and see the public, fellowship with old friends, enjoy a bit of friendly competition, and get some new ideas.  We hope to see some of you along the way.  Please tell the Bachmans you've been blogging with Bessie. 

July 14, 2009

Whoever called these the lazy days of summer must not have been a farmer!  There is hay to make,gardens to weed, cheese to make and sell,  and fairs to get ready for here at Wellwyn Farm and God's Country Creamery.  No rest for the weary I guess the saying goes.  However, there are 4 cows currently living the easy life and getting a rest.  They have been dried off as the farmers and we cows say.  That means that they are two months away from calving and are getting the rest they need so they do not have to milk anymore.  Shawna is one of the group.  She says she welcomes the rest, but regrets not being in prime form for the fairs and shows this year.  Hannah will show her as a dry cow, but that is not nearly as exciting as showing her in prime milking form.  However, because cow health is of utmost importance here, she will be content with Shawna as a dry cow.  This dry period allows the udder to rest and be ready to rebuild the alveoli that are so important to filling the udder with milk once she calves.  I imagine that most of you know that a cow needs to have a calf to make milk.  That is a question we get quite often though, so I decided to just fill you in. 

Let me tell you about pedicure day!  That is always a fun one.  Some of us cows don't  appreciate it very much, but once again, it is for our best health and interest.  We need our feet trimmed a few times a year, so a professional trimmer comes with a table that is a little scary at first.  Me, I am an old pro and don't really mind it because I know they will take care of my aching feet or actually will prevent them from aching.  However, some of my buddies (Shawna especially) don't like to be tipped.  I have always heard the old wives tale about cow tipping and of course it is impossible unless you do it with a trimmer table.  The trimmer has a chute that when we walk in and are safely secured, will tip using hydraulics so he can work on the bottoms of our feet.  Years ago, trimmers used to pick our feet up and work that way.  However, we did not like that one bit and would make it very difficult for the trimmer.  I've heard he thought he was carrying all of our weight when we would lean on him.  I guess that would have been a problem for his back since we can weight upwards of 1500 pounds. This modern invention is good for both humans and us.  This way it is quick and easy on both of us. 

Fair time is coming quite quickly.  Hannah and Philip will be working for another farmer at the Chautauqua County, NY fair in a couple weeks.  Say 'hi' to them if you happen by.  Then comes the Potter County fair August 3-8 followed by the Tioga County fair.  We all hope you stop in to visit and see some of the lucky ones that get to go on the outing. 

July 4, 2009

Whew!  I must start with an apology for being so tardy and slow in writing.  I just got caught up in watching all the activity going on at God's Country Creamery while I've been lying on the hillside taking in the grass and the fresh air.  The Bachmans have been taking this tasty cheese to many places.  The cheeses were sampled by many at the 2300 degree event at Corning Glass for the during LPGA Corning Classic.  I heard that the cheeses were well received and that the Bachmans met a lot of wonderful people. 

I also heard through the milkline that former White House Chef, Walter Schieb, met our cheeses.  They were used at several of the Gettysburg Festival events.  What a wonderful art event that showcased the culinary arts along with the traditional arts.  It is a wonderful thing to get the consumer in touch with the producer and vice versa.  Mark & Melanie enjoyed the beautiful view from Hauser Winery in Gettysburg and also the delectable culinary offerings. 

It looks like we have an expectant mother in waiting.  Her name is Imperial and she is just a youngster.  This is her first time to have a calf.  We ladies are all looking forward to having another little one on the farm.  We'll also welcome another young mother to the milking string. 

Today is sunny in Potter County.  We've been getting wet alot lately as it has been raining almost every day for the last 2 weeks.  Sometimes we just stay outside and soak in the rain.  It feels so good to be clean.  Other days we head to the barn and hang out there until the shower passes.  It is time to be making our hay and the weather just doesn't want to cooperate.  You see, the farmer mows the hay down and it must dry completely before he can bale it.  If it doesn't dry properly, it can actually start a fire in the hay mow.  I guess they call it spontaneous combustion or something like that.  No one wants that, so we are praying for good weather.  Also, if the hay gets wet before it is baled, it just isn't as nutritious or tasty as if it doesn't.  That is the biggest reason I want it to be sunny.  I love that green, yummy hay as my main course. 

Hope you have a happy 4th of July !  i sure hope those fireworks don't interupt my sleep. By the way, I'll try to keep you posted on the news in a more timely fashion. 

April 24, 2009

Yippee, Yeah, Hurray!  This is my favorite time of the year.  Mark & Philip have been scurrying around fixing all the fences around our pastures and today is the day they opened the back door of the barn for us to go out!  Ahh, what a site to behold!   Green grass just waiting for us to munch, munch, munch.  Before we start eating though, we have to run and jump and kick up our heals a bit.  It is almost like being a calf again.  Once we get our fill of frollicking, we get down to the business of eating the sweet, young, tasty grass.  This grass will give our milk an extra-sweet flavor and will in turn make the cheeses from God's Country Creamery even tastier.  I am told that Alpine cheeses (the Gruyere and Jarlsburg) are especially good made from milk when cows are on grass. 

It is too bad that grass doesn't grow year-round here in northern Pennsylvania.  We get good feed in the winter time, but we surely love the fresh grass available from April to October.  Our diets in the winter time include corn silage, baleage, hay and grain.  All of it is balanced for protein, energy, vitamins and minerals.  I am told that humans don't even eat this healthy.  Every bite we take is balanced to meet our nutritional needs for production, maintaining our bodies, and making baby calves. 

Well, I can't be wasting time.  I need to get to eating this fresh grass.  Then I think I will do a little sun-bathing on the front side of the hill.  As I look across the field I can see my stable mates just soaking in the sun and taking naps after a long morning of chowing down. 

April 15, 2009

I heard someone mention something about tax day......hmmmm wonder what that is all about?  I guess it doesn't really bother us bovines here at Wellwyn Farm.  We're just hanging around the barn, laying on our sand-bedded stalls and waiting for the grass to grow.  I did spy another sign of spring as I was peering out the back window of the barn.  Much to my amazement, I saw a mother fox and 4 little kits!  They are having quite the time on the front side of the hill behind the barn.  The babies play around while the mother is hunting for food.  I heard the Bachmans say they had never seen a fox family in real life before. 

I wonder what the fox family will do when we get to go out to graze in that pasture?  As soon as the grass grows some more, we get to go eat the fresh, green grass that is filled with nutritious vitamins and minerals.   In the winter, we eat our grasses and corn in silage form.  It is not as tasty as grass, but it is the only way in these colder climates to give us the bulk to our diet that we need.  It is much like humans eating canned and frozen vegetables. We always look forward to the day the back door of the barn opens and we can roam the hillsides to eat that fresh grass.  Usually, we jump around like youngsters for awhile just from the excitement.  Then we get down to some serious eating.  The Bachmans still take care to balance our diets with a touch of grain to ensure that we get the proper nutrition for the milk we produce.  Mark does a super job of calculating the nutrition of our diets.  That is his off-farm job too.  We  need these goodies to keep us growing until we are 3 or 4 years old and to make it possible for us to become mothers ourselves in addition to making milk.   Without having calves, we cannot give milk.  We need to make milk for the wonderful cheeses I hear are being produced at God's Country Creamery.

Another very important part of our diets is water.  Just like for humans, cows need water to stay healthy.  Also, it takes a lot of water to make milk when you consider that milk is about 87% water.  Each of the milking cows drink about a bath tub full of water each day.  Here at our farm the water is especially delicious since it is fresh spring water!

March 27, 2009

It has been a little slow around the barnyard lately.  Must be that is why Shauna has learned a new trick.  She now lets herself into the parlor to be milked.  The funny thing is that she is right on time.  She is milked in the second group and after the first 3 have been in the parlor, Shauna just opens the door and walks herself in.  Hannah was about to tell Philip that she did not need her in there yet and realized all at once that Philip had not let her in.  Janet keeps swinging the door open, but she hasn't progressed to the point of walking through the open door yet.  She just stands there with a puzzled look on her face as to how Shauna does that thing.  The Bachmans knew they had to lock down the doors when they left the barn because Shauna had been opening doors when no one was looking.  I guess she has figured out how to be useful with that little trick.  Maybe she will teach us all one day and the work load will be less for the Bachmans.

The Bachmans milk us in a single three herringbone parlor.  That means that 3 of us go in at a time and stand in a herringbone style.  The milkers stand in a pit and reach up to milk us.  They are very thorough in the process of cleaning our udders and applying the automatic milkers so that our milk stays healthy.  They always check our milk before they attach the milker to be sure we are healthy and our milk is of high quality. The part they attach the milker to is called our udder.  When we are finished milking they dip us with a sanitizing solution to prevent infection. I am sure some of you have heard those "udderly" ridiculous jokes from time to time.  We joke around with one an "udder" from time to time.  Oh, stop Bessie you are just too much! 

March 2, 2009  New Arrival

Whew!  You'll have to excuse me if I'm a bit groggy today.  We had some excitement around here before the sun came up.  As some of you know, Lovey a brand-new 2-year old, was expecting a baby for this first week in March.  Well, she delivered today and it is a girl!  Master Philip is probably a bit bleary-eyed today too since he checked Lovey before bed and also at 2 am this morning.  He knew she was getting closer, but Lovey must have wanted her privacy since she calved all by herself before anyone got to the barn this morning.  The Bachmans arrived at the barn to find a brand-new baby girl, still wet and being licked by her mommy.  I know cows have been licking their babies since the time of creation, but it is quite a wonder how our wet tongues will dry a wet calf.  I've seen humans try to improve on the process with a nice fluffy dry towel, but it just does not work.  God certainly knew how to get those little calves up and going.  The stimulation of our tongues just makes the blood start pumping in the babies and they end up dry and fluffy in the process.  What a wonder! 

Oh, by the way, if you haven't checked out the calf's name yet, she is going to be called Lola.  Her mommy, Lovey, is doing well.  She handled being milked for the first time like a real pro.  You see, cows don't have babies until they are about 2 years old.  It can be a bit frightening for us as everything is new and sometimes we kick when we are afraid, but not Lovey.  Hannah, the milker, is very gentle and calm and makes us all feel very secure and happy.  Lovey joins the milking herd to raise the number of milking cows to 16. 

July 31 & August 2  Big Time at the County Fair

The Potter County Fair is a highlight of the year for the family.  This is where Philip and Hannah take their 4-H Dairy projects to compete with others in the county.  It is a time of fun competition in type, showmanship and fitting.  For those of you not familiar with those terms, it means what the cows look like, how the 4-Hers lead and present their animals on the halter and how they prepare their animals haircoats. 

Well, this year was a banner year for the Bachmans.  Saundra, Shauna and Janet were the milking cows chosen to go to the fair.  They also took some of the younger set for the heifer classes.  The big winner was Shauna as she was Grand Champion in both the 4-H show and the open show.  The open show is a competition with all exhibitors, young and old alike.  Hannah felt very honored to parade Shauna around the ring.  Hannah and Philip both won their showmanship and fitting classes also.  They also had Junior Champion and Reserve Junior Champion, meaning that they won the best of show in the under two-year old division. 

Showing at the fair is a lot of hard work as the family must keep us clean to make a good impression on all the fair goers.  We don't do much to help ourselves.  Rachel, Philip and Hannah give us baths every morning and bring us feed, water and fresh bedding.  It is an honor to be chosen to go to the fair.  It is like going to the spa since we are waited on hand and foot, or should I say, hoof and hoof.  Showing cows is not a money-making proposition, but it is good promotion and lots of fun for the family. We all look forward to it from year to year. 

June 4, 2009  Homecoming and Father of the Bride Day

What a day this one ended up being!  First of all, the Bachmans sent a cattle truck and trailer to pick-up some new purchases.  I heard that Beulah and Kidd would be joining us today.  They are both milking Jersey cows (small brown ones) that came from Warren County, PA.  Jersey cows don't milk as much as Holsteins (the black & white ones), but they do give higher protein in their milk which will help in the cheese making.   This eveing would begin the milking process again here at Wellwyn Farm.  It has been 5 years since there have been any milking cows on the farm. 

The trucker was also bringing Janet and Lexy back home today.  We were all excited to meet the newbies and to get reacquainted with some friends that had been living with another farmer to be milked.  You see, both of these animals had grown up at Wellwyn Farm, but since the Bachmans were not milking any cows at this time, they had to send them away to have their calves and be milked.  They had very good homes at this other farm, but it is surely good to have everyone back under one roof in Ulysses.  There would be 4 cows to milk at evening chore time. 

Things were going fairly smoothly, we non-milking or dry cows were grazing out on pasture most of the day.  Along about chore time, Philip came to check on Saundra since her due date was getting close.  (You can read all about Saundra on the meet the cow page.)  She is the queen of the herd.  She has been here the longest, gone to the most shows, and taken a huge place in the Bachman's hearts.  Well, much to Phil's surprise, Saundra had started into labor and her water had broken.  He quickly put her in the calving pen and made her comfortable with a clean, dry, bed of straw.  Then things started to happen! 

Just as Saundra was starting to push and feet were starting to appear, the truck arrived with the cows I mentioned above.  Well, they got settled in their new home and the focus went back to Saundra.  Lo and behold, she had a beautiful, white calf that instantly was named Sugar.   We think it is because of the obvious reason that she was white and maybe also that she is so sweet.   The Bachmans fed the new baby and took care of the new mother.  A cow that has just had a calf is called a fresh cow.  Obviously, now they had another cow to milk, raising the number to five. 

Here comes the funny part.  Saundra's first and only daughter, before today, was also expecting for the middle of June.  As the Bachmans were caring for Saundra, they glanced over at Shauna and saw that she was getting increasingly uncomfortable.  She actually was going into labor also.  So, the Bachmans quickly milked the five cows and came out to tend to Shauna.  By this time, it was getting pretty late (around 10:00) but they were so excited to have cows calving that everyone stayed at the barn.  By 11:00 pm, Shauna had calved with a boy, Spike.  So now they had 6 milking cows along with Sugar and Spike. 

Sugar had been moved to her individual hutch or condo as we like to call them in the cow world.  She was pretty quiet and sedate and fell asleep immediately.  Spike needed to stay with his mother longer so Rachel and Hannah agreed they would come back out around 2 am to move him.  The owners move our calves away from us in order to give them the best care possible.  That way they can regulate how much milk they get so that they don't get tummy aches and also how much is taken from our udders so we don't get sick.  It is a relief after giving birth to let someone else care for the baby.  We get them started and when they are nice and dry and doing well, they move to their condo.  Then we can get caught up on our eating and be productive dairy cows. 

Well, when Rachel and Hannah came back out to move Spike, they checked on Sugar also and found her hutch empty!  They looked and looked all around the farm and could not find her.  They were puzzled because she was so sound asleep when they left her.  They had also blocked the door to her hutch with a bale of straw.  They were worried and woke their parents to see what to do.  Melanie said she could not have gone far, and that they better get some sleep.  What she did not realize was that the girls had heard on the news of some coyote attacks in the area.  However, they ran out of ideas of where to look and decided they'd better get a few hours of sleep before morning milking.  In the morning, Philip and Melanie went out to start milking and wouldn't you know it that Sugar had made her way across our country road (not much traffic) and decided to stand up just as they reached the barn.  Needless to say, Philip made a beeline to catch her and return her to her hutch.  Then he quickly made the pen so she would not escape again. 

Well, its been a long day, but I just had to share the funny story of the Father of the Bride day at Wellwyn Farm.