It is always an exciting time when the cattle, both dairy and beef, are once again on pasture. Over the winter, our cattle are on winter “pastures”. These areas are protected from the wind and provide a hopefully dry place for the cattle to live all winter long. We bring feed to them all winter long. The soil and plants in these areas do get beaten down though.
The dairy cows, being the oldest cattle on the farm, know from previous years that something is going to change once the 4-wheeler starts running along the fence lines. Tim takes a couple days checking the fence, making sure it is still up and electricity is still running along its wires. This teases the dairy cows and they will run around their winter lot while all the preparations are happening.
But once that gate is opened… it is off to the races for the cows. Our cows don’t often kick up their heels, like I see in other pasture release videos. Our cows are serious about their food. Once they are through the gate, it is eating time. Taffy, cow number 1058, was the first one to pasture this year. She is a 5.5 year old cow and knows what to do.
After both the dairy cows and the beef cattle are on pasture, we let the winter areas rest and regrow. This prevents erosion.
On our farm, both our dairy cows and our beef cattle are 100% grass fed. This means that they never eat grains. Once weaned from milk, they enjoy pastures and forages that we have cut and baled or chopped for them.
We recently, had a group of University of MN veterinary students out to our farm. When asked about our relationship with our veterinarian, we told them that we rarely see “Doc.” He comes out maybe once or twice a year for some extreme or weird case. Other than that, our cattle are healthy. Our way of farming seems to be what is best for our animals, our land and our family.
Thank you for supporting what we do. You can visit our website to learn more about purchasing grass fed beef, non-gmo fed pork, and pasture raised chickens. https://zweberfarms.com/current-prices/
In other family news:
This month has been a busy one!
Erik and Jonnie just got back from a sixteen day hiking and rock climbing trip to South Dakota and Wyoming. They have been planning this adventure for awhile. It was a great way for Erik to celebrate this graduation from high school.
Jonnie joined FFA this past year and really loved the experience. He joined a poultry judging team and placed 9th at regionals. He also enjoyed the service and social activities, meeting new friends, and learning about different aspects of agriculture. At the chapter FFA banquet, he was awarded the Star Greenhand award! We are so proud of him.
Hannah surprised herself by winning (all age groups and genders) the 5K race at the River Bend Nature Center Pancake run! She beat her dad by only four seconds; Tim got 3rd. I was somewhere in the middle enjoying my jog through the woods. The best part was the winner won a jar of maple syrup made at the nature center!
Lastly, Erik and I just returned from a quick trip to Vermont where Erik attended prom with his girlfriend. I was able to meet her family and see the beautiful state.
Our travel season is now over. We now enter hay and 4-H season. It will be busy this summer harvesting and storing all the hay we need to feed our cattle over the winter. If we aren’t in the fields harvesting hay, we will be preparing animals and other projects for the fair.
Thank you for supporting our family!
See you at the farm!
~Emily
