It's Been a While...

Farm Updates

Luna is on the left

Well, I find myself with a few spare moments and it is finally time for some farm updates. To say we’ve been busy would be quite an understatement. It’s like we’ve been running a race that the finish line gets continually pushed back farther and farther and so, we’re constantly giving a little bit more and a little bit more to reach the finish line. Or you could say that we’ve been swimming and trying to stay afloat…for a long duration of time. Either example works.

In the middle of March we had to butcher our boar pig because he had an injury that we couldn’t fix and so we figured we’d cut our losses and put him in the freezer. Two days later my eldest daughter’s beloved horse died. We found him early one morning and it seemed like he just laid down and died. He was an old man and it wasn’t unnecessarily unexpected, but it was sudden and a total loss. He was the best horse a girl could ask for, and absolute gentleman, and everyone that knew him loved him. That was a hard day.

Two days later, we’re getting ready to leave to go out of town for a wedding. I’m getting ready for morning chores when I look out into the back pasture and my heart just sinks. My favorite milk cow, the one who would be calving any day, was laying on her side….and not in a good way. I quickly rushed out the door and headed straight for Luna. I didn’t need to be told that she was dead; it was all too clear. She had an extreme uterine prolapse during calving and that caused internal bleeding that ultimately led to her death. According to the vet, this is something that happens and there really isn’t anything anyone could have done to prevent it. She most likely died 30-40 minutes post birthing. I thought all was lost and after a bit of tears and sadness (and comfort from my hubby who rushed out after me knowing something was wrong), I looked into the pasture where the other cows were and saw a little new calf running around! It was Luna’s calf! Well, if that doesn’t make things a little sweeter I don’t know what does.

Luna left us a little heifer calf and she is about the cutest thing you ever did see. We named her Moona because we always called Luna - Luna Moona. It seemed a fitting name.

Moona getting a bottle from Knox.

We have had a handful of other issues, but I will spare you those details.

Luna was the cow I was waiting on in order to open up more herdshares. She was a great producer and so I was very excited to have her calve. I am keeping my waiting list, and it is still in the order of first come first serve, but I am unable to bring on more customers because I won’t be able to maintain that throughout the year. If something changes or another cow joins the herd, I will let those of you on the list know and have you come on. As of now, I have three heifers coming on in the next year to two years. I have one that will calve, Lord willing, in the spring of 2024. The other two most likely will calve sometime in 2025.

I miss Luna everyday and it’s hard to think that she really is gone. I am sorry that I am unable to take on more customers, but that is how it is. I will definitely let you know if things change. And to those who are currently my milk customers, thank you! You are appreciated and my family and I are thankful for you!

Lord bless!