This n that : )

As usual,  we started the day with milking cows after Bruce fed.  Opportunity 2 to feed the new calf went much better for both of us.  I got to deal with a dry fuzzy calf instead of  a wet slimy stubborn one and the calf had mastered the fine art of standing on 4 legs so he could concentrate on drinking.  It was all good.  Bruce had called to sell 4-5 fed cattle so after milking we sorted out the biggest ones and decided we would actually like to sell 6 today.  The trucker was having a bad day and running late but finally arrived here about noon.  As it turned out he only had room for 4 animals so we sorted 2 back for another time.  Our fed cattle are the prime type meats  generally available at good restaurants.  They are fed a diet of rolled corn, haylage and mineral.  No growth hormones needed.  Rumor has it there is a good price for beef these days so we are hoping this is true.  Corn is extremely high if you are buying it right now so feed lots aren't full.  This also causes the bull calf market to collapse so the effects go on for a couple years.  Today was another day of running but before we left we contracted our diesel fuel for this year.  Last year we contracted at $2.37 gal.  This year we contracted 1500 gallons at $2.99.  Like everyone, we wish it was cheaper.   Our farm incorporated in 1976 as a means to transfer the farm business over to Bruce slowly.  As a corporation we are required to have an annual meeting, which we do with our lawyer yearly.  With the business entity now owned by Bruce and I the meeting today was really a review of the officers, directors and any new laws that may effect how we do things. We made a couple stops in town but had to get home and feed so we could start milking on time.  Tonight we tested milk.  A technician comes and we connect a calibrated meter between the milker and pipeline.  He then measures the milk, records it on the computer and takes a sample that is sent for analysis.  Within a few days we get a print out with information like pounds milked, lactation to date, projected lactation total, fat test, protein test, somatic cell count.....and much more.  This information is really just a cow report card and is used for all our herd management decisions.