Hey everyone!
Who would like to win a $15 Tim Hortons gift card?
I have this really cool challenge for all of you, and it should only take a few minutes and some of your Photoshop skills. Take a picture of yourself (use one you already have, or take a new one) and photobomb yourself!
Wait there's more, this blog is all about farming so you'll need to photobomb a farm animal into your picture! Make it as funny as possible because the winner of this challenge is determined based on number of "likes".
Photos must be submitted to Down A Dirt Road facebook page by this Wednesday! (April 1st - no this isn't a prank, I would never joke about winning coffee!)Facebook pagehttps://www.facebook.com/downdirtroads
After you have submitted your photo through a private message on the facebook page - spread it like wild fire to get as many likes as possible!
Contest closes on Sunday April 5th at 10pm - You will need to send screenshots or pictures of all your "likes" to the facebook page before 10pm
More detailed instructions;
- Sorry teachers, this is for students only!
- Students must be in the Advertising program
- Photobomb must contain a farm animal (horse, chicken, pig, lama, emu, rooster, cow, bull, goat, sheep, donkey)
- Photo can be shared on any of your social media accounts
- Total number of likes will determine the winner
- Winner receives a $15 Tim Hortons gift card (if you do not like Tim Hortons you can choose Second Cup or Starbucks instead)
Winner will receive their gift card on Monday April 6th, or another arranged time that works for both of us!
Sunday, March 29, 2015
Monday, March 16, 2015
Spring is coming! Car toolbox time.
This is it everyone, we've made it through another Canadian winter - it's T-shirt season!
I'm so happy that spring is almost here, all the critters are happy to. Spring usually means mud, rain, dealing with problems left over from winter. If you're a farmer you might live out of your truck, I live out of my much loved Subaru Forrester.
I spent this weekend digging out my car toolbox and decided I'd make a list of top must have things that will stay in my car until next winter rolls around. Most of my items are very multifunctional and maybe they'll inspire you to add them to your list.
1. Multi-head screwdriver
2. Horse lead rope
3. Rubber boots
4. Retractable knife
5. Flashlight
6. Rain coat
7. Sweater (we always have a cold snap in April)
8. Pieces of hay and straw (this is not on purpose!)
9. Lip balm
10. John Deere hat - nothing runs like a deere ;)
11. Sunglasses
12. A small bucket
13. Extra pair of socks
14. Tim Hortons reloadable card
There it is, those are the 14 things that can always be found in my car, neatly organized!
Comment on your favorites or make recommendations to add to my list.
I'm so happy that spring is almost here, all the critters are happy to. Spring usually means mud, rain, dealing with problems left over from winter. If you're a farmer you might live out of your truck, I live out of my much loved Subaru Forrester.
I spent this weekend digging out my car toolbox and decided I'd make a list of top must have things that will stay in my car until next winter rolls around. Most of my items are very multifunctional and maybe they'll inspire you to add them to your list.
1. Multi-head screwdriver
2. Horse lead rope
3. Rubber boots
4. Retractable knife
5. Flashlight
6. Rain coat
7. Sweater (we always have a cold snap in April)
8. Pieces of hay and straw (this is not on purpose!)
9. Lip balm
10. John Deere hat - nothing runs like a deere ;)
11. Sunglasses
12. A small bucket
13. Extra pair of socks
14. Tim Hortons reloadable card
There it is, those are the 14 things that can always be found in my car, neatly organized!
Comment on your favorites or make recommendations to add to my list.
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Mama Cows
What a day! It was long, and cold, but good.
We had the vet out today to do pregnancy checks on half of our herd, including our first time moms.
This is one of our lovely young ladies that will be having her very first calf this season. She is likely pregnant as a result of natural service since she was estimated to have been pregnant for about 1 month, and artificial insemination was done in late fall. (this is explained more below)
What we did...
The vet checks for pregnancy, it's exactly what you imagine and requires gloves that go up to your shoulders! Today I was the only girl helping out, and ofcourse the guys are making comments. My older cousin said to the vet "she was expecting dinner first!" At least the jokes keep it interesting, and everyone there is family so it's not so bad.
The vet gives us an estimate on how many months the cow has been pregnant. This helps us track whether or not the calf born will be a product of artificial insemination or natural breeding, since we use both techniques. Artificial insemination for our herd is performed late fall so anything that has been pregnant less than 4 months is a result of natural service.
The stocks shown in the picture have a weigh scale underneath them, so we take each cows weight. We can use this data to manage the health of our herd effectively during the winter months. Then the vet gives us a BCS (body condition score). Our herd could use a little extra weight but the vet seemed happy with how all our animals had fared over the winter months.
Have any questions about breeding on our farm? Contact me by posting a comment.
We had the vet out today to do pregnancy checks on half of our herd, including our first time moms.
This is one of our lovely young ladies that will be having her very first calf this season. She is likely pregnant as a result of natural service since she was estimated to have been pregnant for about 1 month, and artificial insemination was done in late fall. (this is explained more below)
The vet checks for pregnancy, it's exactly what you imagine and requires gloves that go up to your shoulders! Today I was the only girl helping out, and ofcourse the guys are making comments. My older cousin said to the vet "she was expecting dinner first!" At least the jokes keep it interesting, and everyone there is family so it's not so bad.
The vet gives us an estimate on how many months the cow has been pregnant. This helps us track whether or not the calf born will be a product of artificial insemination or natural breeding, since we use both techniques. Artificial insemination for our herd is performed late fall so anything that has been pregnant less than 4 months is a result of natural service.
The stocks shown in the picture have a weigh scale underneath them, so we take each cows weight. We can use this data to manage the health of our herd effectively during the winter months. Then the vet gives us a BCS (body condition score). Our herd could use a little extra weight but the vet seemed happy with how all our animals had fared over the winter months.
Have any questions about breeding on our farm? Contact me by posting a comment.
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
The 5 Coolest Things About Being A Farm Girl!
I grew up surrounded by hay fields, cows, dirt roads and the smell of manure...and I love it! I've learned so much since starting work on the farm. Things that not everyone gets the opportunity to learn.
So here's my list counting down the 5 coolest things about being a true farm girl
5. Fixin' Things
Working on the farm involves using all sorts of tools for all sorts of things, filing fly wheels on tractors, doing oil changes, greasing...so much greasing! It's all skills you've learned and applied so it sticks with you and comes in handy.
4. Backing up/Driving Big Equipment
For someone that is vertically inclined (such as myself at 5ft 4) operating big equipment can be pretty fun. One of my favourite things is baling round bales, or small squares. You're in charge of this big machine flying through a field or down the road, you end up feeling pretty powerful. And if you can drive better than some of the guys then that's an added bonus!
3. Looking Tough In Front Of Your Friends
All of this, from another girl's perspective, makes you look like one tough chick. Probably some of the guys end up thinking this too - because how many people can stand temperatures so hot that your eyeballs are sweating while stacking 40lb hay bales?
2. Actually Being Tough!
Stacking those bales while your eyeballs sweat? No problem, you got this. Attempting to tackle calves with your bare hands? Just another Tuesday. It has nothing to do with showing off, you have to be tough because it's what the job requires.
The coolest thing about being a farm girl?
1. Let's Get DIRTY!
You step in manure, fall in the mud, get hay down your shirt...but that's half the fun. You look like you went mudding without the truck, and that grease stain from two weeks ago is still on your arm. The dirt is just part of the lifestyle.
Comment with your 5 coolest things about being a farm girl, or boy!
So here's my list counting down the 5 coolest things about being a true farm girl
5. Fixin' Things
Working on the farm involves using all sorts of tools for all sorts of things, filing fly wheels on tractors, doing oil changes, greasing...so much greasing! It's all skills you've learned and applied so it sticks with you and comes in handy.
4. Backing up/Driving Big Equipment
For someone that is vertically inclined (such as myself at 5ft 4) operating big equipment can be pretty fun. One of my favourite things is baling round bales, or small squares. You're in charge of this big machine flying through a field or down the road, you end up feeling pretty powerful. And if you can drive better than some of the guys then that's an added bonus!
3. Looking Tough In Front Of Your Friends
All of this, from another girl's perspective, makes you look like one tough chick. Probably some of the guys end up thinking this too - because how many people can stand temperatures so hot that your eyeballs are sweating while stacking 40lb hay bales?
2. Actually Being Tough!
Stacking those bales while your eyeballs sweat? No problem, you got this. Attempting to tackle calves with your bare hands? Just another Tuesday. It has nothing to do with showing off, you have to be tough because it's what the job requires.
The coolest thing about being a farm girl?
1. Let's Get DIRTY!
You step in manure, fall in the mud, get hay down your shirt...but that's half the fun. You look like you went mudding without the truck, and that grease stain from two weeks ago is still on your arm. The dirt is just part of the lifestyle.
Comment with your 5 coolest things about being a farm girl, or boy!
Monday, March 2, 2015
Farmers gettin' together!
Hey everyone!
I'm so excited about this post, I got the idea from my Dad. He was recently at a farm conference and got to briefly meet one of the stars of this post!
Say Hello to the Peterson brothers!
Their farm is a 5th generation family farm near Assaria, KS which was settled by their ancestors in the 1800s. They primarily raise beef cattle for their feedlot operation, but they also grow cash crops. It is truly a beautiful family farm by every definition!
Greg, Nathan, and Kendal started making fun educational videos about their family farm back in 2011. They wanted to address the many misconceptions about modern farming. The first song parody they did was in June 2012 entitled "I'm Farming and I Grow It" (parody of LMFAO - I'm Sexy and I Know It), the video went viral reaching over 5 million views in over 200 countries in 2 weeks!
I think what these three have done is incredible! They managed to reach their audience perfectly, in a way that was humorous, fun, and also very insightful. Everyone that I have watched this video with not only laughs and enjoys it, but asks me questions about farming afterwards!
I know how hard it can be to get younger generations interested in farming, and how difficult it is to explain the importance of sustainable farming to city folks. The Peterson Brothers videos really hit home for me as an accurate, inspiring, and unbiased portrayal of what modern farming can be.
Peterson Brothers (and family) your videos are inspiring and demonstrate that there is hope not only for young farmers to find success but also for others to develop a new found appreciation for everything that farmers do for our beautiful world.
Thank you for sharing your passion!
#petersonfarmbros #Farm365 #KeepCalmFarmOn #proudfarmer
http://www.petersonfarmbros.com/index2.php#!/HOME
I'm so excited about this post, I got the idea from my Dad. He was recently at a farm conference and got to briefly meet one of the stars of this post!
Say Hello to the Peterson brothers!
Their farm is a 5th generation family farm near Assaria, KS which was settled by their ancestors in the 1800s. They primarily raise beef cattle for their feedlot operation, but they also grow cash crops. It is truly a beautiful family farm by every definition!
Greg, Nathan, and Kendal started making fun educational videos about their family farm back in 2011. They wanted to address the many misconceptions about modern farming. The first song parody they did was in June 2012 entitled "I'm Farming and I Grow It" (parody of LMFAO - I'm Sexy and I Know It), the video went viral reaching over 5 million views in over 200 countries in 2 weeks!
I think what these three have done is incredible! They managed to reach their audience perfectly, in a way that was humorous, fun, and also very insightful. Everyone that I have watched this video with not only laughs and enjoys it, but asks me questions about farming afterwards!
I know how hard it can be to get younger generations interested in farming, and how difficult it is to explain the importance of sustainable farming to city folks. The Peterson Brothers videos really hit home for me as an accurate, inspiring, and unbiased portrayal of what modern farming can be.
Peterson Brothers (and family) your videos are inspiring and demonstrate that there is hope not only for young farmers to find success but also for others to develop a new found appreciation for everything that farmers do for our beautiful world.
Thank you for sharing your passion!
#petersonfarmbros #Farm365 #KeepCalmFarmOn #proudfarmer
http://www.petersonfarmbros.com/index2.php#!/HOME
Monday, February 9, 2015
2 Calves have a modern family
You're wondering how 2 cute fuzzy calves could have a modern family? Normally twins are just twins.
What if the twins have two different sires?
Before we start tossing hurtful names around this cow let me explain what happened.
The breeding program that we use for our herd involves 2 steps; artificial insemination, and natural service. Artificial insemination is the first step, where we have preplanned each sire that is bred to each cow. A few days to a week after the artificial insemination the cows are turned out with a bull. The idea being that if the artificial breeding wasn't successful then the bull they are with will breed them.
All of this is our effort to ensure that all of our cows are successfully bred.
Over the past couple of years we started doing parentage verification testing on our calves. We need to be sure that the calves have the correct parents because the sire changes the value of the calf.
The cow in question had a set of twins, each twin had a different sire!
We were shocked, we've heard of this happening in dairy cows but never in beef cows. Then again how many people perform parentage testing on all their calves.
I'd love to hear your stories, if you've ever experienced anything like this please comment :)
What if the twins have two different sires?
Before we start tossing hurtful names around this cow let me explain what happened.
The breeding program that we use for our herd involves 2 steps; artificial insemination, and natural service. Artificial insemination is the first step, where we have preplanned each sire that is bred to each cow. A few days to a week after the artificial insemination the cows are turned out with a bull. The idea being that if the artificial breeding wasn't successful then the bull they are with will breed them.
All of this is our effort to ensure that all of our cows are successfully bred.
Over the past couple of years we started doing parentage verification testing on our calves. We need to be sure that the calves have the correct parents because the sire changes the value of the calf.
The cow in question had a set of twins, each twin had a different sire!
We were shocked, we've heard of this happening in dairy cows but never in beef cows. Then again how many people perform parentage testing on all their calves.
I'd love to hear your stories, if you've ever experienced anything like this please comment :)
Monday, February 2, 2015
1st post for Name a Calf Contest
Hey everyone!
Once you've read the post "Hoof Prints in the Lawn" go to the facebook page (link below) and send a private message to answer the following question:
What is the name of the horse?
Remember if you want a good chance of winning you have to keep up with all 10 contest blog posts!!
Find the Down A Dirt Road facebook page here:
https://www.facebook.com/downdirtroads
Once you've read the post "Hoof Prints in the Lawn" go to the facebook page (link below) and send a private message to answer the following question:
What is the name of the horse?
Remember if you want a good chance of winning you have to keep up with all 10 contest blog posts!!
Find the Down A Dirt Road facebook page here:
https://www.facebook.com/downdirtroads
Hoof Prints In The Lawn.
Hey everyone!
Where did that week go?! What a long and busy week, I missed all of you!
Some of you know I work at a horse farm over the weekends so I'm just in the process of thawing myself out.
While I re-gain feeling in my legs I thought I'd tell a funny story that happened a couple of years ago at the horse farm.
There's a very large, sweet, paint gelding that goes by the name of Buddy. He's a very docile horse, sometimes goofy, and has a unique personality. Every morning all of the horses are fed, blanketed (in the winter) and taken out to their fields. Sometimes Buddy has other plans! This particular morning I opened his stall door to put his halter on...
A halter goes over the horses head so they can be led, basically it lets the person leading them "think" they have control over what direction they go.
Anyways Buddy turned away from me in the stall, I left the entrance of the stall and followed him. He then spun around and ran through the door, and out into the great wide world!
I only left the door open about a foot, apparently that's enough to encourage him. He proceeded to prance around the barn owners' (my bosses') house, leaving perfect hoof impressions all over the lawn. He seemed so proud of himself too! Almost as if he was taunting everyone, saying "look what I did!"
Thankfully Buddy is very food oriented, and a bucket of grain persuaded him to let himself be caught. Needless to say I close the door now whenever I have to go in a stall with Buddy.
And this is the culprit himself!
Thank you to Danielle for letting me post about her horse :)
Where did that week go?! What a long and busy week, I missed all of you!
Some of you know I work at a horse farm over the weekends so I'm just in the process of thawing myself out.
While I re-gain feeling in my legs I thought I'd tell a funny story that happened a couple of years ago at the horse farm.
There's a very large, sweet, paint gelding that goes by the name of Buddy. He's a very docile horse, sometimes goofy, and has a unique personality. Every morning all of the horses are fed, blanketed (in the winter) and taken out to their fields. Sometimes Buddy has other plans! This particular morning I opened his stall door to put his halter on...
A halter goes over the horses head so they can be led, basically it lets the person leading them "think" they have control over what direction they go.
Anyways Buddy turned away from me in the stall, I left the entrance of the stall and followed him. He then spun around and ran through the door, and out into the great wide world!
I only left the door open about a foot, apparently that's enough to encourage him. He proceeded to prance around the barn owners' (my bosses') house, leaving perfect hoof impressions all over the lawn. He seemed so proud of himself too! Almost as if he was taunting everyone, saying "look what I did!"
Thankfully Buddy is very food oriented, and a bucket of grain persuaded him to let himself be caught. Needless to say I close the door now whenever I have to go in a stall with Buddy.
And this is the culprit himself!
Thank you to Danielle for letting me post about her horse :)
Friday, January 23, 2015
Name a Calf!
Exciting news everyone! This is our first annual "Name a Calf" promotion!
Please take a look at the Facebook page for more details, and be sure to "like" the page so you can follow along and keep up to date with blog posts since that's the crucial part to this promotion!
So excited to get started! Be ready, as it starts next week!
https://www.facebook.com/downdirtroads
Please take a look at the Facebook page for more details, and be sure to "like" the page so you can follow along and keep up to date with blog posts since that's the crucial part to this promotion!
So excited to get started! Be ready, as it starts next week!
https://www.facebook.com/downdirtroads
Lily
Meet Lily, she is a 13 year old Hereford cow and the farm pet, since she was born!
When I was younger I participated in 4-H. Essentially it is a program based on teaching youth responsibility and leadership qualities through hands-on learning. There are numerous clubs focused on; sewing, drama, cooking, cows, horses, you name it there's a club for it.
Anyways, because my Dad has cows it was only natural that that was my club of choice. So when Lily was just a baby (all mischievous 80lbs of her) we began taming her.
It started with petting her and attempting to get a rope halter on her so we could proceed a tug of war across the yard. Ofcourse the tug of war was Lily vs. my Dad, guess who had the final say?
Mhm, Lily! I'll never forget when she got a bit larger, Dad got the halter on her and was leading her with little success. She had had enough and bolted so suddenly that it knocked Dad over and dragged him through the mud for a few feet.
We conceded defeat and I participated in 4-H with a neighbours cow that was much more...docile. But Lily learned something, that people make really excellent personal back scratchers! With out fail if someone is in the field she comes over, turns herself sideways and looks at you, waiting patiently for her back scratch.
Anyways, because my Dad has cows it was only natural that that was my club of choice. So when Lily was just a baby (all mischievous 80lbs of her) we began taming her.
It started with petting her and attempting to get a rope halter on her so we could proceed a tug of war across the yard. Ofcourse the tug of war was Lily vs. my Dad, guess who had the final say?
Mhm, Lily! I'll never forget when she got a bit larger, Dad got the halter on her and was leading her with little success. She had had enough and bolted so suddenly that it knocked Dad over and dragged him through the mud for a few feet.
We conceded defeat and I participated in 4-H with a neighbours cow that was much more...docile. But Lily learned something, that people make really excellent personal back scratchers! With out fail if someone is in the field she comes over, turns herself sideways and looks at you, waiting patiently for her back scratch.
Let's go for a drive...
Hello everyone!
Today I thought we could go for a little drive, this is about half of the road I live on. I know it's winter so if you don't mind using your imagination. In the summer I'll post another drive down the road but for now picture tall green grass and corn stalks in the fields, bending in the breeze, and cows on the other side of that rail fence.
If you're a farm girl like me then you're definitely going to understand my choice of music to accompany this video, and if you aren't then I will try to explain it.
The music represents the lifestyle; being in the middle of nowhere but feeling at home, having to do hard work, and having a feeling of freedom and rebellion, but being completely relaxed at the same time.
Please Note: I do not advocate driving while using a handheld device, I was able to mount my device on top of my dashboard and so it was hands-free. Please follow all driving rules and regulations, in accordance with provincial law.
Thank you.
Today I thought we could go for a little drive, this is about half of the road I live on. I know it's winter so if you don't mind using your imagination. In the summer I'll post another drive down the road but for now picture tall green grass and corn stalks in the fields, bending in the breeze, and cows on the other side of that rail fence.
If you're a farm girl like me then you're definitely going to understand my choice of music to accompany this video, and if you aren't then I will try to explain it.
The music represents the lifestyle; being in the middle of nowhere but feeling at home, having to do hard work, and having a feeling of freedom and rebellion, but being completely relaxed at the same time.
Please Note: I do not advocate driving while using a handheld device, I was able to mount my device on top of my dashboard and so it was hands-free. Please follow all driving rules and regulations, in accordance with provincial law.
Thank you.
Sunday, January 18, 2015
Welcome!
Today is the day you find an escape from your regular life. This is your opportunity to grasp a moment; a peaceful, quiet, hilarious and thoughtful moment.
At least that is what I hope to offer you through the posts on this blog. Let's get started. Today I want to introduce you to my dirt road; this is just the beginning of it.
This is the type of road you pass by every day but it only steals a fleeting glance from you. Over that hill, out of your vision are lives. Generations of the same families have owned either side of this bare dirt path, families that have grown, loved and lost. In the warmer seasons horses trod up and down this road and neighbors I've known my whole life walk their dogs. Winter brings the rev of 4-wheel drive trucks as farmers head off for morning chores.
I grew up on this road, riding my bike, cutting the grass lining the gravel, repairing fences, standing just there at the corner waiting for the school bus. When I was younger I cursed living here, but now I cherish it.
Consider this your "in" to the country way of life; a small glance at what growing up in the country is like. This is where you can find a window to a different way of life. Maybe you're looking for an escape, a hilarious escapade, a lesson learned, or just a quiet thoughtful moment.
I hope to be able to provide all of that and more while sharing my life story.
Please enjoy.
At least that is what I hope to offer you through the posts on this blog. Let's get started. Today I want to introduce you to my dirt road; this is just the beginning of it.
This is the type of road you pass by every day but it only steals a fleeting glance from you. Over that hill, out of your vision are lives. Generations of the same families have owned either side of this bare dirt path, families that have grown, loved and lost. In the warmer seasons horses trod up and down this road and neighbors I've known my whole life walk their dogs. Winter brings the rev of 4-wheel drive trucks as farmers head off for morning chores.
I grew up on this road, riding my bike, cutting the grass lining the gravel, repairing fences, standing just there at the corner waiting for the school bus. When I was younger I cursed living here, but now I cherish it.
Consider this your "in" to the country way of life; a small glance at what growing up in the country is like. This is where you can find a window to a different way of life. Maybe you're looking for an escape, a hilarious escapade, a lesson learned, or just a quiet thoughtful moment.
I hope to be able to provide all of that and more while sharing my life story.
Please enjoy.
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