Today (Monday) was the official due date for my cows to start calving but I’m hoping they hold off for a couple more days since it looks like the temperatures might be a bit more tolerable.
I’ve been getting up every few hours in the night since Feb. 1—just in case!
I’ve also been putting cows and heifers in and out of the barn just to warm it up. And for the first-time calvers, it is nice for them to learn the system rather than chasing them around in the middle of the night once they are calving!
Maddie and Marlee, meanwhile, have been thinking about names since last year at calving!
Since this is an Olympic year, we likely will have a “Sochi” and maybe a few Canadian stars! I love the Winter Olympics and find it a great way to pass time while waiting for a calf to arrive.
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Last Friday (Feb. 7) was Food Freedom Day in Canada!
That’s the date when the average Canadian has earned enough income to pay for their annual grocery bill, and it came one week earlier than in 2013.
Food Freedom Day recognizes the abundance of food we enjoy as Canadians—and at a relatively low cost.
We’re pretty lucky to live in a country with such affordable food while enjoying some of the highest production, environmental, and food safety standards.
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I’m sure most of you have seen the 2014 Super Bowl commercials. Two of the more popular ones were from Budweiser and the Chevy trucks.
It’s kind of neat how agriculture makes its way into the Super Bowl!
If you haven’t seen them, they are worth checking out. Budweiser features the beautiful Clydesdales and a Labrador retriever pup while the Chevy ad is a cowboy, truck/trailer, and a Hereford bull and cows.
It sure made my day: my favourite dog and breed of cattle!
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The past few weeks have been so exciting for agriculture in the north.
It somewhat overwhelms me but it is simply awesome that so many people are waking up to the fact that agriculture needs to grow and the north is the best place to do this.
People are looking at us and our products to make their businesses grow and expand. The Beef Farmers of Ontario is hosting its annual meeting next week in Toronto, which will feature a panel discussion on “Farming in the North!”
I am so pleased that Joe Sletmoen agreed to participate in this (I only had to sweet talk him a bit!)
It’s a great way to get the message out that we are farming well in the north. And it’s great that Joe is a young producer trying to make this his way of life!
Now if we only have more time—but we will find away to make things happen because that is what we do well here!
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