Break those Boot in! A Calgary Stampede Warm up!

June 27 - July 3

If you love the Western feel of the Calgary Stampede, and are counting the days until it starts on July 8th, why not start early! Get that hat out, dust those boots off and come break those boots back in at the 75th Annual Ponoka Stampede. Start this morning off with a mile long parade, and an outdoor market, then its off to an afternoon of Rodeo Action with the Professional Cowboys who are warming up for the Calgary Stampede, thats not all the World Professional Chuckwagon Association will spin their wheels tonight for some great racing. Wait . . . were not done yet, live bands play in the Stagecoach Saloon every evening for those over 18, those legs might need a two step lesson or reminder. The Rodeo runs every afternoon, and the Chuckwagons every evening, Thursday night join us to watch Dwight Yoakham perform live on stage where you can dance right in the infield! Friday and Saturday night dance to live bands at one of the largest beer gardens in Alberta - and Sunday wrap it all up with not only an afternoon of Rodeo Finals, but a Stampede Cash Showdown of all the top events.

July 8 - July 17

After you experience the Ponoka Stampede, you will be hooked, only 5 more days until the live packed action of the Calgary Stampede Starts on July 8! Don't forget to fit the Agricultural Barns visit in, those exhibitors are there for you to learn more about Agricultural in our beautiful province. Hope to see you at both events! 

Did you know that Rodeo Action was started by our Agricultural forefathers as a way of entertainment and to show off their riding skills! Agriculture is everywhere and has been around for a long long time. 

Well I am off to decorate a float and then to the grounds to help host the Ponoka Stampede! Come on down, we'd love to show you a great time!
~ Carling

Giving Back - A Salute to Volunteers!

This week I have the opportunity to join my sister, Brittney, as a Ponoka Stampede Public Relations Volunteer  in the private venue boxes. I have the opportunity to interact with business professionals in many areas including: Agriculture, Banking, Oil & Gas, Retail, and Building Construction. The Ponoka Stampede is celebrating its 75th year of Rodeo, and what an exciting event, that is put on by hundreds of Community Volunnteers.

 Last evening, at the opening ceremonies we paid tribute to the many families that were instrumental in starting the first Ponoka Stampede in 1936, and many of these families are very well known in Canadian Professional Rodeo. I tip my hat to the Doran/Wierzba, Butterfield, Vold, Dorchester & Dodds Families who were there in the beginning. These families continue to volunteer generation after generation in many aspects of Rodeo, including the Ponoka Stampede and it just goes to show how continued volunteering and dedication can have an event continue to grow and be successful. I am proud to be a Ponoka Stampede Volunteer and thank you to the other Ponoka Stampede Volunteers for giving your time to make it such a huge success. 

Many of us who have gone through the 4-H program understand how much self satisfaction you get from volunteering. As part of our 4-H Diary points, we are required to give some of our time to a charity of some sort to complete our year. Through my 9 years of 4-H I have feed the hungry not only by collecting for the food bank, but also working in a soup kitchen feeding the homeless. We worked as a team to raise funds for a fellow 4-H member stricken with Cancer by putting on a Pancake breakfast. We have raised steers together to auction off and donate funds to Cancer research, Big Brothers & Sisters, Stars Ambulance and much more. Together we have improved our environment by cleaning many miles of ditches, and recycled oil filters, tires and cell phones. A sense of pride knowing just giving a bit of our time makes a difference to so many.  

Growing up with a mom who was involved in Kinettes, I had the opportunity to assist in making pies for a community fundraiser, assist in building a community playground, and just last year I hosted a Hypnotist fundraiser donating over $800 to the future Kinette Spray Park for the upcoming kids of our community. 

Volunteering, mentoring, and doing community service has a long term effect on the youth and the future of our society. How giving a little bit of your time can make a huge impact on everyone. I take pride in giving of my time to mentoring youth in gaining confidence, self awareness and the importance of giving back. I give so much credit to so many volunteers and mentors that I have had that took me out of my comfort zone and encouraged me to just try, I have never looked back.  It is amazing how one persons kindness can change your direction. 

Please take the time to recognize the many volunteers that help us improve our communities - or better yet volunteer a bit of your time, the satisfaction you get from just one happy smile, will be more payment than you will ever need!

As Audrey Hepburn once said, “Remember if you ever need a helping hand you’ll find one at the end of your arm. As you get older you will discover you have two, one for helping yourself, the other for helping the others.”

Steak au Poivre

I love food! Especially beef; however, I'm not the best cook. :( I found a delishous recipe, thats pretty simple and easy to make. Hope you enjoy it!

Steak Au Poivre

2 tablespoons whole peppercorns
4 lean, trimmed fillet steaks, or sirloin steak if you prefer, at room temperature (about 1-1/2 inch thick)
1 tablespoon olive oil for frying
6 ounces button mushrooms, washed and sliced thinly
2 tablespoons brandy
1/4 cup/75 ml red wine
1/2 beef stock cube dissolved in 1/2 cup/140 ml boiling water
1 teaspoon chopped fresh tarragon, or 1/2 teaspoon dried
1 teaspoon of cornflour mixed with a little water
salt to taste

To dry roast the peppercorns, put them into a small pan and roast them over a medium heat. Give them a little shake every so often. This should take only a 2 - 3 minutes....be careful not to burn them. Turn off the heat and let them sit until they have cooled, then coarsely crush them in a pestle and mortar.

Scatter the pepper mixture on to the base of a plate, and use it to coat each steak evenly.

Pour the olive oil into a heavy skillet and place on a high heat. When the oil and the pan are searingly hot its time to cook the steaks. Place each steak into the skillet leaving a good gap around each one.

Allow the steaks to cook for 3 minutes on each side for medium rare....4 minutes each side for medium.....2-3 minutes more each side for well done.

When cooked to your taste remove the pan from the heat, take out the steaks and keep warm.

Return the pan to a medium heat, add the mushrooms and saute for about 2 minutes increase the heat and add the brandy and deglaze, light the liquor and flambe. Add the red wine the stock and the tarragon, stirring well, then allow to simmer for 2 minutes. Add the cornflour mix and stir until thickened. Season if necessary.

Arrange the steaks on 4 warm plates and pour some sauce over each one. Any left over sauce can be served separately, it will not go to waste!!

Serve with your favourite vegetables.

Serves 4

Pigs 101

Before I was born our farm was a little bit more diversified in that we had pigs, chickens, horses, sheep, and cattle. At that time there was also 2 families working and living on the farm. The families decided to split the operations by moving the pig operation to another location. Growing up I didn't have the opportunity to learn a lot about pigs, well unless I visited my relatives. So I tried to do a bit of research and found some information from the Canadian Pork council!

Eat Like a Pig? 

Pellets

If you only ate healthy foods from the four food groups and no snack food, than I guess you could say you eat like a pig! Pigs eat a variety of healthy foods like corn, barley and soybeans, mixed with vitamins and mnerals. Pig feed is usually all mixed together, often into a pellet, kind of like dog food. Animal feed doesn't have to be bought from a feed mill, or store, it can also be mixed on the farm. A lot of scientific research has gone into determining the exact amount and type of food to make a pig grow perfectly.

Straight from the Pig Pen
Pigs need many of the same thing that a pet would need like a balanced diet, clean water, a health program, and the right type of environment. The farmers work hard to provide all these necessities each and every day of the year. Vaccinations and medications are used in a herd health program with a veterinarians help. Any medicine or vaccine used on a pig must be tested and approved by the government.

Shower BEFORE you go into the barn?
Some farmers may ask you to take a shower or put on plastic boots over your shoes before you go into their barn. Other farmers do not allow any visitors at all, people or animals. Any guesses why? This is called "bio security", and its one part of a herd health program that helps to keep pigs healthy. Not allowing visitors into the barn helps keep germs or sickness out.

Pigs are adorable!

Pigs = Pork and...
Of course the primary purpose for raising pigs is to provide us with food like ham, bacon, sausage, pepperoni, and pork chops. Farmers are paid for the quality of the pork they produce. Virtually everything from each pig is used to provide us with many items including: leather, soap, medicines, and medical treatments like heart valves.

It's a living and a life
Canada's 15,000 pork producers sold approximately 21 million market hogs in 1999. Pig farms today are way larger than those of the past. Most farms are owed by a single family; but others are managed by several families or hire additional workers to help care for the animals. If you want to be a successful pork producer, you have to enjoy working with animals. many of today's farmers go to college or university to study agriculture, animal science, plant science, and business.

These pigs went to market...


Famers move the feeder pigs out of the nursery when they reach approximately 25kg. This next stage is called the "grower-finisher" section where pigs are housed in a separate room or a separate barn designed for that size of pig. A feeder pig is raised to market weight of 110kg. These are the ones that supply us with pork.

Stock trailer for pigs

Market hogs are sent to meat processing plants on trucks designed just for pigs. There are guidelines for transporting pigs, including the number of pigs on the truck. For example, in hot weather fewer pigs are put on  a truck and are often shipped at night or early in the morning when it is cooler.

Each animal is inspected at the processing plant. Pigs are handled and euthanized quickly and humanely by approved methods. Processing plants follow strict government guidelines for processing and handling animals and meat products. A lot of research has been done on humane handling and euthanasia. Check out Dr. Temple Grandin's website for examples: www.grandin.com

This little pig stayed home...
The pigs with the best genetics and desirable pig characteristics are called "breeding stock". These pigs remain in the farmer's herd or are sold to other farmers to add to their herd or replace existing pigs. Farmers look for pigs with characteristics such as a good body and bone structure, muscling, quick growth, or strong maternal instincts.

Houses of straw, sticks, or bricks?
Only pigs in storybooks or movies live in houses, talk, and wear clothes. Most real pigs in Canada live in barns, not outside in the mud. Why? Barns are designed to provide pigs with the right environment, protected from extreme weather temperature.

Pig barns

Sweat like a Pig?
Guess what!? Pigs don't sweat! Storybook pigs are often shown in the mud as they try to keep cool and out of the sun. Real pigs actually like to keep clean. Today's pig barns help them keep cool with lots of fans to help circulate the air. Some barns even have water sprinklers to keep them cool!

Here's a video explaining more about the state of the art pig barns that house pigs.

The pig production really has changed from a small family job to a family operation.

I learned a lot researching this information and I hope you  did too! I'm finally done diplomas, competing my bio 30 this morning. It was a pretty fair test and hopefully I aced it! :) Now I just have to wait for my marks to come back at the end of July. Hope everyone's enjoying the warm weather. I sure am. I'm going to spend the rest of my day weedwacking and working on my show string. 


xo
~Carling

Just a Farmer – Just a Doctor – Just a . . .

When we think of careers, we forget how many different types go with it when it comes to farming. When you are introduced to someone new, and they tell you that they are a Doctor, you generally ask - "What type of Doctor" and you will get different answers, General Practitioner, Pediatrician, Cardiac Surgeon, and the list goes on. I always find it funny when I am with my dad and someone asks him what he does for a living, when the answer if "Farmer" the questions usually go like this: "Where do you farm?" or "Do you have Horses?"


The vision of a Farmer starts when we are very young in our first story books, so you can understand how the Farmer steryotyped to most at a very young age. Our first books show the Jolly Fellow and his Happy Wife with the chickens running around, a cow with calf or two, a horse, a sheep, a pig - very diversified farming. However, this is a rare find now a days. Most farmers specialize in one or two different types of farming. I am involved with my family in a beef cattle operation, where the beef cattle operations generally breaks into 3 divisions.

Beef Cattle Operations:
Cattle Operations can vary from Cow/Calf producers, Seedstock producers, to Feedlots. 

Cow Calf Operation

Cow/Calf producers: These operations generally have the majority of their cattle belonging to a specific breed (ie: Hereford, Angus, Limousin, Charolais etc.) and they usually purchase a bull that belongs to a different breed type which give them a crossbred calf. Crossbreeding two different breeds have proven to offer a higher weaning weight than breeding two animals of the same breed. These operations, breed their cows, calve them out, and ship the animals after weaning to a "Backgrounder/Feedlot operation". These operations can range from 10 - 1000 head of cattle.

Feedlot

Feedlot Operation:
This operations, often referred to as Intensive livestock Producers, generally purchase the weaned calves from the Cow/Calf operators, in most cases at an auction market. Feedlots, utilize a very scientifically modified feeding program to produce the best meat available at your grocery store. These operations work very efficiently to increase the weight of these animals  at approximately 3 - 4 lbs per day. Once they reach the optimal size (1000 - 1400 lbs) they are shipped off to the packing plant for slaughter. These operations will rotate pens based on weights, adding new livestock weekly so there is a consistent number in the feedlot. These operations will vary in size from 1000 - 50,000 head of cattle.

Purebred Bull at a Livestock Show

Seedstock Producer:
The Seedstock Procucer are also known as Purebred Breeders. Most of these operations will represent one or two breeds of cattle. My family is in this type of the cattle business, and we raise Hereford and Angus Cattle. This type of producer raises replacement females and bulls for the Cow/Calf operator, keeping them all one breed. This type of producer, works on genetic selection, and they are continually working to improve their livestock keeping what the industry is wanting in mind. They keep in mind things like birthweights, sound feet and legs, good milking ability, and muscling. Many of these operations attend livestock shows to market their breeding programs. These operations will vary in size from 40 - 500 head of cattle.

Many beef cattle operations are operated in conjunction with a grain operations of some sort, either just growing feed to sustain the feed supply of this operation, or they will also sell the grain to offer a diversity of the operation.




Below is a chart of many different divisions of Canadian Farming: (source: www.statcan.gc.ca/ca)

NAICS five-digit classes	Census of Agriculture derived categories
Dairy cattle and milk production	Dairy
Beef cattle ranching and farming	Beef
Hog and pig farming	Hog and pig
Chicken and egg production	Poultry and egg
Broiler and other meat-type chicken production
Turkey production
Poultry hatcheries
Combination poultry and egg production
Other poultry production
Sheep farming	All other animal
Goat farming
Apiculture
Horse and other equine production
Fur-bearing animal and rabbit production
Livestock combination farming
All other miscellaneous animal production
Soybean farming	Field crops
Oilseed (except soybean) farming
Dry pea and bean farming
Wheat farming
Corn farming
Other grain farming
Potato farming
Tobacco farming
Hay farming
All other miscellaneous crop farming
Other vegetable (except potato) and melon farming	Fruit and vegetable
Fruit and tree nut farming
Fruit and vegetable combination farming
Mushroom production	Greenhouse, nursery and floriculture
Other food crops grown under cover
Nursery and tree production
Floriculture production

The next time someone tells you that they are a farmer - please ask what type of farming - farming is a one of the largest industries in Canada, that we need to survive.

Well back to a full day of studying Biology 30 for my last official High School diploma exam. Have a great day!

xo

~Carling

Agricultural Myths

Many of today's consumers don't know about farmers' and ranchers' relationship with their animals, or how modern farmers produce meat, milk, and eggs. The image of the family farm with its red barn, a few chickens in the yard, some pigs in the mud, and cows in the field isn't accurate anymore. We, as farmers, tend livestock, guaranteeing their health, the animal provides an economic return to us by supplying wholesome, high quality foods that people want. As farming continues to grow around Canada two things always will arise: farmers have concern for the health and safety of their animals and their dedication to provide food for the world. 


Myth: Farm animals routinely raised on factory farms are confined in crowded, unventilated cages and sheds.

A hog barn with proper ventilation

 Fact: Animals are generally kept in barns, with an exception of beef cattle, to protect the heath of the animal. This houses the livestock from predators, disease, and bad weather. This housing also makes breeding and birth less stressful, protects the babies, and makes it easier for the farmer to care for sick livestock. This housing is usually well ventilated,  warm, well-lit, clean, and made to meet the specific animals needs (Temperature, light, water, and food). Since these barns are used to support a specific animals needs, a hog barn wouldn't be used for cows anymore than a adult would sleep in a babies crib. This housing is to let the farmer provide for the animals as best as possible. 


Myth: A vegetarian diet is healthier than a diet that includes meat, poultry, milk, and eggs.


Fact: Government heath agencies have said that a healthy diet should contain meat, milk, and eggs. Health benefits can be derived by non-vegetarians who follow a strict diet that is low in fat, sodium, sugar and alcohol. Poorly-planned vegetarian diets can be just as unhealthy as poorly-planned non-vegetarian diets. The key to a healthy diet is moderation. A lot of people take milk out of their diet believing it is a fattening substance; however, milk is one of the best sources of calcium in the diet. Calcium is important in warding off colon cancer and osteoporosis. Beef is also a huge source of different vitamins and minerals for a healthy diet, you can check out my "The Truth About Beef" blog to learn all about the different benefits. 


Myth: Farm animals in confinement are prone to disease, forcing farmers to routinely use antibiotics, hormones and drugs and to keep them alive. This jeopardizes animal and human health.


Fact: Animal scientists, veterinarians and on-farm experience show animals kept in housing are generally healthier because they are protected. Farm animals do sometimes get sick. To prevent illness and to ensure that an animal remains healthy all of its life, farmers will take preventive measures, like using animal health products. These products include animal drugs and vaccines, in addition to vitamins, minerals and other nutrients the animal needs in its diet. All of the products used on animals have been regulated and tested by government agencies to ensure the safety of the animal and its meat. 

Distribution of cropland in Canada (blackened area)
Around 5% crop production and 6% grazing

Myth: By eating less meat,we could improve the environment, free land, and resources for the production of food crops rather than animal products, which could be used to feed the hungry overseas.


Fact: Canadians need to both animals and plants to manage the nation's natural resources in the best way possible and feed its people. A majority of the land in Canada can't be used for growing crops and can only be used for grazing. The land would be of no use as a food resource if it were not for grazing livestock like cattle, goats and sheep.


These are just a few of the many agricultural myth that circle the nation. Before you agree with something make sure you know your facts and don't jump to conclusions. 


Hope everyone's having a wonderful weekend, its been pretty rainy here in Ponoka. Anyways, I better get back to studying Bio for my diploma! Learning about all sort of interesting things like the endocrine system, nervous system, reproductive system, cell division, molecular genetics, Mendelian genetics, and population genetics and interactions. 


xo
~Carling 

What do you call an arctic cow?
An eskimoo!


Hey everyone! 
Thought I would give you an up date to what I've been up to lately! June has been quite the month. Right now I'm busy as every spending any extra moment I have studying for my diplomas. I was lucky enough to qualify for "miss school, miss out" (if you miss less than 2 days of school, you can exempt an exam) and exempted my Calculus final! :) My social part A, that I wrote Tuesday, went surprisingly well and the essay topic had to do with private property creating disparity. The 3 sources that we analyzed had to do with a country inflicting their ideologies upon revolutionary nations. Tomorrow I have to do my part B of social (multiple choice) and will be spending the majority of my night with my face glued to the text book, wish me luck! I also write my bio diploma next Wednesday and will be spending my weekend at the school in a bio study session... wooh.  


My base ball team lost our game on Tuesday 11-7 to Lacombe; but, we did have some amazing hitting skills that night! We were supposed to practice today after school, but due to the tornado warnings and the fact it was pouring rain it was cancelled. :( It was moved to Sunday though. We play Monday in Red Deer and Tuesday in Ponoka, so if anyone happens to be around you should come and cheer us on! 


The cows at home have been pretty good and my baby is growing fast! I'm in the process of trying to train my Hereford heifer for the Summer Synergy Show this summer but surprisingly she has a bit of an attitude. This is weird for a Hereford. I'm trying to find time to shave all the dead hair off my cows body and hopefully will find some after diploma's wrap up! 


I resigned at Northcott, a seniors home, because I got hired for a full time job this summer. I'm really going to miss the residents, they really are amazing citizens. :( I start on the 23rd working for the town of Ponoka mowing lawns and doing general maintenance around town! I also get the pleasure of working at the Stampede this year to helping refill the presidents boxes. Wolf Creek Golf Course is going steady and I am picking up a couple shifts a week serving food in the restaurant.


Hope everyone's enjoying June! 


xo
~Carling

Guest Blog - The City Girl Goes Country

Those of us who grow up on a farm understand all the aspects of farming and at times wish we could live in town or in the city. When I was young I thought how cool it would be to just walk to a friends to play whenever I wanted, not needing to plan a ride to town, being able to go with friends to the store, walk to the swimming pool just for something to do, even learn to ride your bike on pavement. Poor me, I was the country kid and there was never nothing to do, so I thought. My town friends were opposite they thought living on a farm would be so much fun, playing on the bales, looking for kittens in the old barn, cool places to make forts, wading in the creek and the list goes on. As the old saying goes “the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence”.  Because of diploma writing today, I have invited my mother to do a guest blog and talk about her experience of being the city girl who moved to the farm.

Words from my mom . . .Kathy

A “City” girl, never really thought about it, I had been raised in Calgary, and finished up my last two years of high school in Airdrie, so the closest thing I came to Agriculture were the “Country” kids in school.  Most of my friends were from town, and some acreage kids.

After high school, it was back to the big city for me to go to college, obtain a Business Diploma, and off to work with big Career plans. I was working with the Canadian Bank Note Company (yes printing money), in the securities division, securities being stocks, bonds, and prospectus’. My days were spent in board rooms with corporate lawyers being the go between the lawyer and the printer. Great job, I loved it, and was on the first step of a long corporate ladder. So of course, my vision of my future was to probably marry a successful guy in a “Suit”. Yes, I had it all figured out. I went on some amazing trips, spent weekends with friends, my life was, I guess, on track.

Life being on track, well . . . . throws you some curves, just to make it interesting. So, an evening out with my girlfriends, at a Country Nightclub, changed my life completely. Yes, I met my husband, very handsome, wonderful smile, lived “North of Red Deer” – a match made in heaven. He left out just a bit – he was a farmer. Not that it was a bad thing, but most “City Girls” have a very different view of a farmer. My first experience of “Farm” life was dropping in at the Calgary Bull Sale after work, well, I made quite the impression at the barns. Probably should have left my fur collared coat and high heel shoes at home.

Well, this “farm boy” captured my heart, and a move North, to Ponoka (yes he left that part out too), was in my future. I could do this! I had the country gear, the boots, that had never seen manure before, the cowgirl shirts, no worries, how different could it be. Well, was it different? Not really, I just looked at life a bit different now. For example, the first Valentines gift my husband bought me, were steel toed work boots – my not be romantic to some, but this told me that he wanted me to be a part of everything in his life. Again over the moon!

My career continued, no problem, I managed to get a management position running a division of a printing company in Central Alberta. So . . . I had to wear rubber boots from the house to the car in the spring, with a dress on, carrying my expensive shoes. No matter, I accepted it, but the look on my mothers face the first time she saw me like that, well . . . priceless. Her vision of me working the corporate world was yes, “Vogue” attire – and they did not have the fancy rubber boots they have out now.

Being a City Girl, you became the butt of much hidden laughter for years. The first trip my in-laws took away, I was in charge of feeding the chickens and gathering the eggs. No problem, how hard could it be? Well, I am sure the old local Veterinarian still laughs about the gal who called him, because she left a couple of hens out overnight, and the free range roosters had their way with one poor chicken – she had no feathers left on her back, and the other hens had basically given her a scarlet letter, they were pecking her to death. The vet very calmly told me to try tar, it didn’t work, and I was the cause of one dead chicken.

Another time when my husband was away, I told him that I would help his dad feed in the evening when I got home. Good responsible wife that I was. Well, my father in law mentioned that he did not need any help, but of course I insisted, I told him I would “pail” feed the bulls, I had watched my husband do it many times. So as he walked away, he yelled back “they get 18 pails” – No kidding! I only weighed about 100 lbs, and to balance the 25 lb pails you had to carry two at a time. Yep, I ate my words that day.

I learned very quickly, that if you wanted to become the master of a job, just complain about how someone is doing theirs. The first time my husband decided to mow the lawn for me, I was mortified when he arrived on the riding lawn mower, with no bagger. City folk are very particular about their lawns. I had been mowing with the push mower and bagger, and had managed to get a very lush crop – he couldn’t use the riding version. So if I wanted it mowed the fussy way, it was now my job. Funny after 20 years, I still like it nice, but will settle for less just to have someone else take their turn. Question too much about the bookwork, and yes, you just got another job. Tried the gardening route, but I was not diligent enough to keep up with the weeds, figure I am doing my in-laws a huge favor, they don’t have to look at the weeds, or help with them, and they are quite willing to share their garden with us.

I actually could go on forever, there are always many very funny stories that we can laugh about with this city girl on the farm, and I think I have adapted quite well – I still have a few periodic mishaps, even after 20 years living on a farm. In fact just this year I managed to “shoot” a hole through the garage door - - - yes you can ask me about it if you see me sometime. Annie Oakly I am not!

My extended city family has often given us much to laugh at too, now that I am considered a farm wife. My mom once asked my husband why all the Ewes (Female Sheep) had grease marks on them. Well my husband Mark explained that we put a marker on the ram to know who has been bred. My mom did actually asked "Do they really need lubricant". I will leave it at that. 

Living on a farm, raising three beautiful, very independent children, and being a “farmers wife” has been wonderful for me. My corporate ladder has changed a bit, but I never stopped working, running my own home business for the past 15 years has been very successful. I get to have coffee and lunch with my husband every day, and if I need to get away from it all, I don’t need to go camping, I just step out to my back deck, and can look at a view that goes on forever. Have I learned a lot, sure have! Could I move back to the city, not in a million years!

~Kathy

So today, my nerve racking diploma was surprisingly not as hard as I expected. Thanks to my countless prayers, the source was economic and I just about jumped out of my chair when I read it. The three sources that we had to analyze and relate had to do with pushing a countries ideologies upon another nation.

~Carling

HOLY COW... She's Having Twins!

Every so often we are blessed with the occurrence of a cow having twins. Sounds like a great thing right? Two calves equals twice the cash; however, this can be hard on the cow, calf, and the farmer. When a cow has twins usually the cow isn't able to feed both calves so we will give it to another mom who recently lost her baby. The best way to get the new mother to take the baby is to skin her dead calf and place the hide on top of the calves back or you can sprinkle baby powder to try to neutralize the sent of the calf. But how does this happen you ask? Well, twins are either classified as fraternal or identical twins based on their origin. Fraternal twins originate from two separate fertilised ova (eggs) due to multiple ovulation by the cow; which results in two different calves. Identical twins are a result of a single fertilized egg (embryo) splitting during early embryonic development, making these twins genetically identical. Fraternal twins happen more often than identical. One of the biggest problems with fraternal twins is when they are different sexes. The problem is it is estimated that 95% of the heifers born twin to a bull are not fertile, being referred to as "freemartins". There are many factors affecting twining in a beef herd: breed, breed lines (cow family) and nutrition. Twin pregnancies are at a much greater risk of abortion and dystocia. Very often, one or both twins can have contracted tendons or other congenital anomalies. If the twin is left on it's mother usually 2 calves is only equivalent to 1.5 and often require so much extra from the mom that she requires extra care.

As a purebred producer, I guess you could say, that female twins is a bonus if they are healthy and you can raise them right, but this is usually not the norm. As exciting as twins can be they are not necessarily a high point in a farmers year.

Hope you enjoyed my tid bit on twining! I'm off to brush up on some concepts for my Social Part A (written) diploma tomorrow. I'm hoping and praying the source for the paper will be economic. Wish me luck!

~Carling

The Test of Your Life

So here I am study for diploma's. My last test of high school and what we work towards in our 12 years of high school! This may surprise you; but, I am one of those people who gets stressed out really easily especially with the exam being such a hefty chunk of my final grade - 50% to be exact. There are ways that help me to stop stressing and just relax, so if your someone who gets stressed easily check out these tips to help you get through any obstacles!

1. My favourite stress relief tip of all. Take a relaxing bath.  Add music, candles and a glass of your favourite drink. Close the door and forget about everything else for an hour or so. This helps to increase levels of calmness and the calmer we feel, the less likely we are to get stressed out or depressed. A luxurious way to find stress relief.
2. Allow plenty of time. Being too busy is a big source of stress.
3. Exercise. It's a great stress buster.
4. Get plenty of rest and eat well. You'll be able to handle stress better when it does come up.
5. When stress hits big, take a time-out. A few minutes away from the problem can help.
6. Breathe deeply -- slowly in, slowly out. Think of something pleasant.  Take brakes in between activities, such as studying. Stop for an hour and do something you love to give your brain a brake.
7. Laugh. When you laugh, you actually cause a pleasurable change in your body’s chemistry that lasts as long as 45 minutes. So take in a comedy at the movies, watch a funny television show, or invite friends over for a game of charades. 
8. Physical contact with pets or even just their presence has been proved to be therapeutic for hospital patients. Play with your dog, hold your cat, or sing to your bird: all of these activities can help reduce blood pressure and bring a feeling of calm.

Recipe for a Stress Relief Bath

Add the following to a warm bath and soak your cares away.

INGREDIENTS

3 drops bergamot essential oil
2 drops clary sage essential oil
2 drops lavender essential oil
2 drops neroli essential oil
2 drops sandalwood essential oil

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! Wish me luck on my Social Part A (written) diploma on Tuesday! :)

~Carling

 

In the Classroom

Welcome to another issue of in the classroom! This week I had the pleasure to go to Mrs. Blackwell grade 5 class, at Ponoka Elementary School! I wasn't to sure how the class would react but once again I got an amazing class to present to. They were very involved and interested in the presentation and knew a lot more about agriculture than I thought!

Enter the classroom I felt very welcomed by the grade 5er's. I introduced myself and explained why I was there and why learning about agriculture was important. I started my presentation with some simple questions, such as, "how many kids lived on a farm". Much to my surprise 6 out of the 20 kids raised there hand! Next I asked some of the kids favorite food. I got a variety of answers from rice to deer streak! We decided to look particular into the ingredients in perogies. I asked what agricultural products were used to make perogies, how we get these products, and if they are grown in Alberta? They talked about how potatoes and cheese were the main ingredients and mentioned that we get potatoes from the ground and cheese from dairy cows. They also said that we usually get these products from Alberta. I also had a student explain to me how to kill a deer to make deer steak.

We went thought Beef cattle first and they kids had a variety of answers to the question, "how many months until a calf is born?". I think we got every month till we finally got 9! :) I explained the different products made from cattle and they were pretty disgusted with the fact ice cream and jello have cows bones and horns in it. I next explained the difference between a heifer, bull, and cow. Next we talked about pigs and just like the cows I explained the different terminology for them. They were pretty surprised to find out that pigs can learn tricks faster than dogs and can learn to respond to a name in 2 to 3 weeks after birth. Sheep came next in my presentation. I explained to them how sheep are timid, easily frightened animals who like to stay together and how their only means of survival is to flock together in large numbers and run. The class was a little grossed out when I informed them about the sheep intestine being used for hot dog and sausage casings.Dairy cows came next and they all knew that a cow has to have a calf to produce milk and that chocolate milk does not come from a brown cow!

The class had tons of question after the presentation and they even stumped me on some! One of the kids asked, "how much corn does a chicken eat?", much to my surprise I quickly answered, "enough to be full". There was lots of other questions. "How many eggs do chickens lay?" "How many glasses of milk would 10 dairy cows produce?" "How many stomachs do horses have?" "The difference between a bull and a steer?" "How many calves can a cow have?" They really entertained me and I hope they enjoyed and learned from my presentation!

If you would like to check out my PowerPoint presentation it is posted to my last "In the Classroom" blog!

I'm sorry I haven't posted to much lately working 2 jobs, helping on the farm, going to school full time, playing baseball, and studying for diplomas and finals have been taking up the majority of my time. Hopefully this weekend I will have time to get some posts up! :) Don't forget to check out my "In the Beginning" tab on my farms history, as well as, the "This and That" tab that is filled with insightful quotes to try and brighten your day!

~Carling