Going Western: Part 3

 

Initially when I started this third post, it was pretty dark. I had just started doing night lambing duties instead of night calving and it was (still is) pretty darn stressful. The evening prior I had to spend the night in the barn because the roads were so bad. I was tired, and stretched pretty thin. I have cried more this past week than I have in a very, very long time (okay, probably since I started college). I have cried because I am stressed beyond belief, ridiculously tired, and I am homesick. I need a break. I am hoping that since this week is the last of the synchronized ewes, that I’ll be able to take that break next week and since the forecast is looking like it should be much better weather than the past few weeks.

            Now, to move on to some of the new things I have been able to experience. Since I have been basically taking over lambing duties, I’ve had to experience both the good and the bad. In the past two days, I’ve had three lambs that were coming wrong. The first just had a leg back (which was a simple fix). The second was the one that I hope to never experience again. The ewe had her first lamb fine so I decided that I would go back in and check for a second one. There was a second lamb but all that I felt was ribs. Apparently, the lamb was coming sideways instead of front feet and head first. I eventually got everything shifted around to where I could pull the front feet and the head up into the birth canal and got the lamb out! Thankfully and a little bit to my surprise, the lamb was alive! The third dystocia was a ewe that had a lamb with its head back. It wasn’t exactly the easiest to solve, but eventually the lamb made its grand entrance and is also alive!

            These past couple weeks have been difficult and trying no doubt, but I keep reminding myself that God won’t give me anything I can’t handle and that there is always a way. I just have to remember that.

Until next time!

Going Western Part 2

Ya’ll, calving more than 25 head of cows is chaotic. We had a day that it seemed all we were doing was pulling calves in the barn or separating cows that calved at the same time and were trying to claim another’s calf. Even though it is rather chaotic, seeing God’s constant gift of life and all of its amazement is rather constant. To think that everything went so right to get all of these babies is pretty awesome to think about. I did get to do something I haven’t done before as well as hope I don’t have to do often this past week, I helped pull a calf during my night calving duties. It was a rather difficult pull because the heifer wasn’t helping us at all, then when she went down, she didn’t go down “right” and that made things even harder. Thankfully, we got the calf out healthy and then the heifer went right to licking it and all was well.

            Last week, I got to change things up a bit and help shear sheep before they lamb. I wasn’t the one with the shears, but I did help get the sheep up on the shearing trailer so that the three people that were shearing could get it done. I’ve never seen shearing happen (like it’s actually supposed to get done) except at the shearing contest at the state fair. It was amazing to see how they maneuvered the ewes and just kept going! My back would hurt so bad! It was also interesting to see how much of a true difference there is between black-faced sheep wool and high-quality fine wool.

            These past couple days have been COLD, thankfully, the wind wasn’t too terrible last night, but the snow sure was coming down! I think the main thing I’m wanting to say is, always, always thank a farmer or rancher. They are always going out and checking on their animals or crops so that you, the consumer stay fed and clothed. I will forever be thankful for the “milder” winters that we get in West Virginia, I understand that we usually have wetter snow and the air is more humid (making it sometimes more miserable) but I think I will always remember the ranchers of the northern part of the US during the winter because this weather is something I’ve never seen.

Appalachian Girl goes Western

This spring semester, I am interning at a ranch in Central Montana to fulfill a requirement for a couple classes in order to graduate in May. I’ve decided that I’ll make an attempt at doing weekly or bi-weekly installments of my experience. I’ll be here until the first part of April, so we’ll see how this goes!

            Last Tuesday, the 9^th, I endured what seemed to be the longest travel day of my life. My flight out of West Virginia was delayed two hours because of fog at Dulles Airport. I had to change all of my flights around so instead of landing in Great Falls at around 2:30, I landed at around 10 that night. To top it off, my luggage didn’t make it on the plane in DC (after a 7-hour layover, which was tons of fun I might add) so when I landed at 10 o’clock, I had very, very little luggage. Thankfully, it made it on Wednesday.

           

            The next few days I was without a vehicle so I just accompanied hands and the rancher’s family to move cows or feed cows. I also helped with pre-calving vaccinations. Now that I look back, I was and still am almost always thinking “we couldn’t do it that way in West Virginia” or that “this just doesn’t happen that way in West Virginia.” For example, to move cows, they use their trucks. On our farm anyway, that is near impossible. Sometimes we will use our RTV to toll cows with feed, but the rest is done by walking. Sure, many producers use 4-wheeler’s and RTV’s to move cows in the state, but the luxury of a heated or air-conditioned truck is nearly unheard of.

            Another difference here is the wind. IT CONSTANTLY BLOWS. A couple days ago, it snowed, was close to 0 degrees, and the wind howled all day long. It was absolutely miserable for bovines and any humans involved. That was the moment, as much as I have completely wondered why we do what we do in West Virginia with such hilly ground, that I realized I miss the mountains.

            I still think though that the biggest thing other than the time change and getting used to the different climate, is the fact that there are SO many cows. I don’t think I’ve seen so many bovines in my life except maybe (which is a big maybe) since we visited a feed yard while I was on the livestock judging team.

The small-town feel is something that is still around a little bit at home, but it’s like reliving my youth being in this town. Everyone has been so nice and welcoming and even though I don’t know anyone when I’m driving, they still will wave.

            There is certainly a lot for me to get used to on this little adventure. I’m still getting used to the idea that I won’t be home until early April and will be completely missing out on my own calving and lambing, but I’m really trying to stay positive. I miss the mountains, and I will most likely go.

Getting to Know Me

Growing up: I was raised on a small cow/calf and club lamb operation in central West Virginia. As I grew up in 4-H and FFA, I integrated registered Limousin and registered Suffolk in to my herd and flock. The Limousin was because we had had success with the breed as a terminal cross and it was predominately what my cousin was raising at the time. We had used Suffolk rams in the past and I wanted to be able to show in the purebred show at the state fair. Suffolks were a good fit because they still had plenty of muscling to compete in the market lambs but they also didn't have the wooly heads and legs that Hampshires have. Since my Dad and I do the majority of the shearing, we didn't want to have to shear heads a whole lot. 
I was extremely active in 4-H with livestock judging and I even was top individual in a few contests. Notably, I scored a 397 out of 400 my last year at a sheep judging contest. I also have been relatively successful showing with having multiple breed champions at the state fair with both my sheep and Limousin with animals that I raised. I have also been in the masters division with my purebred sheep for many years and been in the top 10 in beef showmanship. Besides the livestock end of things, I have served in multiple leadership positions in my 4-H club such as President, Vice President, and Secretary. At 4-H camp I was the chief of my tribe and received the Heart H award. 
I was also very active in my FFA chapter and through high school the majority of my livestock projects were completed in FFA. I served as chapter secretary and treasurer as well as the financial and chapter outreach chairperson. I was successful at the state level in public speaking having been in the top 3 two years in a row. I also won the state proficiency award in diversified livestock production in 2014 and received a silver status nationally. I have received the state and American FFA degree as well. 
In my breed associations I have been more active with Limousin as I am the WV Limousin Breeders secretary and serve on the Board of Directors. I also serve as the treasurer for the junior association. I have been successful at junior nationals having a 1st place magazine ad in 2016 and 5th place in 2017. I also was 5th in the photo contest and 2nd in public speaking in 2016. In 2017 I was 1st place in sales talk. 

This is the group of kids that made the trek to Grand Island for the 2017 NJLSC. They're more important to me than the awards I received. It's the memories. 

 

College: I am a Senior at West Virginia University majoring in Agriculture and Extension Education. I plan to graduate in May 2018. I have had courses in livestock production, soils, forestry, agribusiness, computer skills, teaching, and livestock evaluation. I have been on both the President's and Dean's List.
I have served as the President of the WVU Block and Bridle and in 2015 attended the Midwest Quadrathlon where my team was 3rd in the quiz bowl portion of the contest. In 2016 I was a member of the WVU Livestock Judging team where we most notably was 3rd at the Keystone International Livestock Expo. I was 6th individual in beef and 9th in reasons. The judging team experience is something I will treasure and take with me forever. 

Community: I have helped in many volunteer projects with my organizations as well as my Church. I have been a 4-H camp counselor during my time in college as well as completed many volunteer hours with my club. In my church I serve as the Sunday School teacher for middle and high school. I have been able to help with our Christmas from the Heart project as well.  

Hobbies: Some people might say that showing livestock is a hobby, I see a hobby as something that you enjoy but still doesn't take over your life. It's something to do in your spare time. I've never met anyone who shows livestock who has a whole lot of spare time. However, my hobbies would include livestock photography, watching WVU football and basketball, creative writing, and reading a good book.

Telling my Story

4/15/2017 
I've recently attended two conferences with nearly the same message: Tell Your Ag Story. They said that the non-agriculture community wants to hear our story. But I also left wondering, "how do I tell my ag story?" In some ways, I feel like I've been doing it because of the posts that I make about my calves, lambs, and of course my pigs from last summer, Howard and Bernadette. Sometimes, though, I don't feel like I'm doing enough. I wonder if the fact that I ONLY share with my friends and family is enough. They pretty much knows what goes on because the majority of my friends and family are from agriculture backgrounds whether they actually grew up on a farm or not. The question is, how do I do more? 

10/11/2017
As you can see, it's been a while since I've looked at this post I began in April. From finals, to AI'ing in May, to Junior Nationals, and aging out of 4-H and FFA; it was a busy few months and I just now caught a break to look back!
When I think now about telling my ag story, I still think that posting photos, videos, etc. about life on the farm is incredibly important. I also think that (although I don't write near as much as I should) that this blog is a way for me to tell my ag story.
When I was in Washington, DC getting on the Metro, we (my Mom and I) had asked a woman to make sure we were getting on the right train. Afterwards, she asked what we were in town for. I told her that we were there for National Ag Day and I had been on Capitol Hill talking to representatives about why they should support agriculture. She then asked how I felt about GMO's. This was actually the first time I had been asked about them. Although I'm not a row crop farmer, I have a general understanding of the importance of GMO's. I went on to tell her why we need them and that they are going to be one of the ways that we "feed the 9."
This was a way to tell my ag story without really telling MY story. I was able to share my knowledge with someone who probably rarely sees a cow or cornfield. Now that I think back on this experience, I know that I can inform people about agriculture without really having an in-depth knowledge of the topic they are asking about. I know that I have many avenues of telling my Ag story whether it is online, writing, or through just common conversations on the Metro in DC.
I am going to try to post more and tell more about my story, and make it a goal to write about what we're doing on the farm so I, Jennifer Friend, can Tell my Ag Story.

An Open Letter to my First Show Heifer

Thank you. Thank you for being the start to something I'm eternally grateful for. Thank you for being the first. Thank you for always being there as the one I could say, "that's my first show heifer." Thank you for teaching me how to avoid getting kicked or butted, since you were the first to do that too. You were the one that gave me calves to show and keep as replacement heifers. You were the start to my herd.

You were the first beef animal I received a trophy for at the county fair. You were way bigger than me, and that scared me, but you gave me the confidence I needed. You were also the first cow I pregnancy checked (and at nine years old, I didn't know what I was feeling for, but since it was you; it was okay). When you had your first calf, I was so nervous for everything to go right. I was so excited that I could see you calve though. When you finally had a heifer (after two bulls), I was elated that I'd finally be able to keep one of your calves.

It's been 12 years, six of which you were on the show string, and 11 calves. You've given me two feeder steers to show, two show heifers, and four replacement heifers. You're starting to "not be quite the cow" that you have been. Your udder is going downhill, you're teeth aren't that great, and you're not quite as sassy as you were. They tell me it's time for you to "take your last ride on the big truck." Dad told me when you were still a calf that he hoped I'd be in college when you had to be sold. I'm in college, so I guess it must be time. It must be time for me to lead you on the trailer for the last time.

Thank you, Princess, thank you for being the first.

The Struggle of Being a College Farm Kid in the Spring

Spring. Besides summer, it has to be my favorite season of the year. The days are longer, the grass is greener, and the birds start chirping again. Calving and lambing is over, and the babies start bouncing around and having a grand time under the sun. During high school, I LOVED coming home from school to see the babies bouncing around and getting to see them continually developing. I was also able to go outside more and maybe, just maybe, the mud might even be drying up!

Now, as I'm nearing the end of my sophomore year of college, I'm find myself aching to be home and working on the farm, seeing all of the babies, and starting to work more with this years show string. I was able to get my show pigs over spring break, but I haven't been able to really get to know them let alone take them outside. So I've compiled a list of the struggles of the farm kid, in college, during the spring.

• Your parents keep telling you how your favorite cow's calf is looking like the next great one...And won't send you a picture! 

• They turn the cows out on pasture without you. Which seemingly before, they couldn't do it without you! 

• They tell you how much your show animals are growing...but they still won't send you a picture! 

• The warm weather keeps reminding you about what you could be doing outside, yet you're stuck in class (that is probably about farming, making you want to be outside even more!) 

• You just learned to AI and your dad plans to synch the cows during the week when you can't be there and get your practice in

•  The weeks between you and being home for the summer drag on, and on, and on 

• Your favorite part of spring is seeing everything "green-up" and all you're seeing "green-up" is the little bits of green grass that gets trampled by students on campus 

• Sure, you can go to the school's farm and see all the new babies, but it just isn't the same 

This is just a few of the things that I hate about being at college during springtime. A good thing about not being home every week, is that when you go home the drastic changes in the new calf crop or lamb crop is more evident. The awesome thing is, only a few weeks between spring starting and being home for the summer!

 Be sure to comment with some of your favorite things about spring on the farm!