Jill Burkhardt – Crooked Lake Farm
Calving started a bit early for us.
We had an “oops” from when our bulls escaped the previous spring, so on February 9th, we welcomed our first calf. Fortunately, the bulls only got lucky once. 😉 But the rest of the herd must have been feeling the early calving vibe. We (re)started calving April 3 and by April 28 (the official due date), we were half done! It was fast and furious and as of today, we only have 15 or so left.
While calving was early, seeding, on the other hand, was delayed about three weeks. While the extra help with the cows was appreciated (I’m normally on my own calving come end of April), it was very stressful on my husband waiting to put the crop in. Lots of mud & getting stuck, as well, which was extra frustrating some days. But we did get everything in the ground between rain storms.
The rain hasn’t really let up much for our area and we’ve actually had a bit of heat (for us), so the crops are looking good.
We’ve started turning cows and calves out to grass. It’s a lot of work, but to see those moms and babes happily grazing on green grass really brings a smile to my face.
1. Be ready to go at the drop of a hat...sometimes without a lunchbox.
2. Has removed the word impossible from her vocabulary!
3. Can hold a baby, take care of a toddler and drive a tractor or combine all at the same time.
4. Must be able to cook for a crew - large or small.
5. Must be able to read minds.
6. Must be able to banter with a parts man until he realizes you DO know what you're talking about.
7. Must be the entertainment director for those rainy days.
8. Be a wife, mom, friend, helper, cook, problem solver, taxi driver or extra crew hand at all times.
9. Can handle the call that makes you react, "You need what? When?" Dropping everything you're doing to make it happen.
10. At the end of the day say, "I really do love this life".
