When Farmers Have Black Thumbs

This is a sponsored post by Theisen's Home Farm & Auto. All opinions and views are entirely my own. 

I have a confession to make. Our picturesque farm isn't always picture perfect. Things that I am good at on our farm. 1. Raising calves. 2. Feeding cattle. 3. Killing every thistle in sight. Things that I am not good. 1. Growing stuff other than grass 2. Painting fence/building. 3. Raising things other than cows. 

Every spring I get super excited because all the farm stores start to put out their flowers and vegetables. I mean going to a farm store like Theisen's has its perks. They have popcorn. Like really good popcorn. Old Navy or Target does not serve popcorn. 

However, over the years I have recognized that I am a poor flower and vegetable farmer. We would end up with scurvy if we had to raise our own food because all we would have it beef. Yet, walking amongst all the gorgeous plants at Theisen's I knew there had to be something that I could grow. Enter the sweet Theisen ladies and HERBS. They promised me that I could conquer these and when I saw these tea time varieties I knew it was destiny. Yup, that is herb is called chocolate mint. I mean how could I resist? 

The best part about these tea herbs is your can use these to make tea. You take green tea and then a few of these fresh leaves boil and strain. So now I can look at our falling down fences while sipping tea on our porch. Ah, farm life. 

Last fall, we had some fence posts start to rot, and then a windstorm happened early spring knocking a section of fence over. New posts had to be reset and unfortunately wood fence posts don't come in the color white. So, that means painting by this lady because the the boy is currently planting rows and rows of corn and soybeans. 

The staff at Theisen's recommended a mitt would be the way to go. I painted some fence last summer with a roller, and I wish I had this mitt back then. They also recommended that I wear a latex glove under the mitt because although it has a lining the paint would likely soak through. Another good call. 

It was nice to visit a store that had multiple people willing to help. With strong roots in agriculture they have literally everything whether it be something for you home town, acreage or farm. I mean there was a WHOLE section on bee keeping, which is something I would love to do but I figured I maybe should do some reading first. There are 23 Theisen stores across Iowa and Wisconsin. You can use their store locator to find the nearest store to you so you can get started with #springatTheisens.

You can follow Theisens on Facebook,  Twitter and Pinterest. 

We Are Having Babies

Not me. The cows. Yes, it is calving season on the farm. Typically beef farmers and ranchers try to calve their cows in the least amount of days as possible. This is because when they wean the calves from their moms, and breed the heifers the following year, they want them to be as consistent in weight and age as possible. But our farm is a little different.

Remember our farm raises purebred cattle. Now there are LOTS of "purebred farms" that follow the same calving philosophy that I posted above, but not us. Since we sell quite a few of our calves to be show heifers (youth exhibitor them at shows throughout the year) people want them to fall into certain age "divisions." When heifers are shown they are broken up into classes by age. So the Januarys show together, the Marchs, the Aprils, etc. When a family comes to our house to buy cattle they like that they can buy heifers of different ages so their kids don't have to show against each other in class. Therefor we calve a few cows in January and February and then the rest will come in March and April.

Above is the first heifer (girl) calf we had born this year. I love the babies when they are first born because their moms haven't taught them yet that you should run away from people! 90% of calves aren't going to let you get too close after the first day of their life. 

And this is Wall Street. He was born the beginning of January. This was right after he was born. He's got a good mom and she was able to give birth to him with no help from us. 

Make sure you follow me on Instagram at @CrystalCattle to see lots more pictures. Also, #calfwatch16 is a good hashtag to follow if you love baby calf pictures. 

Honor A Farmer, Play a Music Video

One of my KEEP Collective
arm parties

Now you might not think of farmers begin the centerpiece of a music video but recently I stumbled on such a thing. Nowadays there are all kinds of farmers. Marketing buzz words, political issues and a disconnect between the consumer and farmers has created a fair share of challenges. I don't think there is a day that passes that I don't see some sort of attack on farmers. There are big and small, organic and GMO, those that use antibiotics and those that don't, there are all kinds of farmers and we all choose the best path for our farms and families. This leads me to our WHY.

All farmers have their why. My WHY is this is my passion. I am in love, obsessed, infatuated with agriculture. I simply love being on a farm. I love raising our cattle. And I love that this way of life is also our business and my career.

Check out this awesome video from seventh farm family The Henningsens and if you love it click here. The Why I Farm movement is working to honor farmers and wants CMT and GAC to add it to their music airways.

Sunsets Are Like Opportunities

Sunset photos are kind of like opportunities, if you don't snap the picture fast enough they are gone. Recently, one of my college teammate's dad passed away after a long fight with ALS. You could say he was just getting into his prime and had many life lessons still to share. Regardless, our opportunities to learn from him and continue to make memories with him have faded away.

Tonight there was a beautiful sunset on our farm. I wanted to snap the perfect photo. I really would have liked to grab my big DSLR camera, but I knew by the time a grabbed it the sunset would be gone. Sometimes the circumstances aren't perfect, but if you don't seize the opportunity it will be gone in a flash. 

Just food for thought. What will you do to make most of the opportunities in front of us. 

Why We Use Antibiotics on Our Farm

I've wrote about this subject before but I thought I would revisit it because I know antibiotics are a concern for consumers. Also, I feel the media doesn't quite give the whole story and instead tell us no antibiotic use in livestock is best. However, being a farmer I also know that antibiotics (also know as antimicrobials) can heal sick or hurting animals. Healthy cattle make healthy beef that my family and your family can enjoy.

This time, on our farm, the cow needing antibiotics was one of the Boy's favorite cows named Fantasy. About a week ago we notice that she had a serve limp and her foot was very swollen. Poor girl! This is one of the signs of foot rot. It is a very treatable aliment with an antimicrobial, and so Fantasy received a shot.

We work very closely with our vet for recommendations on the correct antibiotics to give to our cattle depending on the symptoms, and we always follow the dosing instruction on the bottle for the amount that should be given. In addition each antibiotic has a withdrawal time. This means that the animal can not be slaughtered and enter the food chain until the withdrawal period is over. As well, the United States government mandates that no beef with antibiotic residues that exceed FDA standards be allowed in the food supply; therefore, all beef sold in the United States is safe from antibiotics. 

We treated Fantasy, and then headed out to the Iowa State Fair the next day to exhibit our livestock. When we got home we noticed that Fantasy had not gotten any better. This time we decided to run her into the cattle chute for further examination, and we were very surprised to see what we found. 

Yes, that is a rock that was wedged up between her toes. Can you image how sore your foot and leg would be if you walked around with a rock in your shoes for several days? We were able to remove the rock, but the area was very infected. Following our veterinarians advice, Fantasy received another shot of an antibiotic. As soon as she got out of the chute she instantly was able to put weight back on her foot. There is no better feeling than knowing that you helped an animal when they are in pain. The antibiotic will also help the sore heal so further problems don't arise. 

Now some of you may say that our misdiagnoses required us to use more antibiotics than necessary. I guess I view it something like this. Recently, I had a serve bladder infection. I went to the doctor and they have me an antibiotic. I thought I got better, but the next week I was back in the doctor's office. The antibiotic they had given me didn't work and they had to switch things up. Sometimes similar situations happen with our cattle. 

The Boy getting the antibiotics ready for Fantasy. We use antibiotics on our farm to help our cattle get healthy again. I would never want to leave one of our cows in pain when I know that an antibiotic could help them. 

Top Antibiotics used in Humans vs. Livestock

Thanks to restaurants like Chipolte and Panera you probably think about antibiotics way more than you have. These companies love the fear marketing slogan antibiotic-free meat. The truth is ALL meat is antibiotic free. No antibiotic residues are present in meat due to the withdrawal periods and other precautions requited by the government.

When we give antibiotics to our cows we write down the date given, the antibiotic and the withdrawal date. Not many of our cows are going to slaughter because they are breeding animals, but just in case we did sell one for meat purposes we would look at that information to make sure the withdrawal date was past before selling. This is a good video that explains the process.

You may also have heard about antibiotic resistance. This is where the bacteria become resistant to antibiotics often because of over use. Many people are worried that by using antibiotics in animals we might be creating a resistance problem.

However, take a look at this graphic about the top antibiotics used in humans vs. livestock. I thought it was very interesting to see that what we are using to treat our sick animals doesn't hardly come into play in human health. You can read this post of mine about why we give antibiotics and see how it can help an animal feel better.

On our farm we will continue to use antibiotics, however we will also continue to use them responsibility so that we can help animals become healthy, and ensure you have the best meat in the world to consume.

A week of Instagram: Blonde Hair, Baby Calves and Great Shoes

I can feel the calm before the storm. Except is isn't really that calm. So maybe I am in the hail storm before the tornado hits? We are breeding cows, the boy is planting corn when the fields are dry enough, lots of work projects going and we are headed to the Kentucky Derby next weekend! Now that part is really exciting. So what else happened this week?

A photo posted by crystalcattle (@crystalcattle) on Apr 24, 2015 at 4:07pm PDT

It was time for a hair cut. So three inches came off this week. Also, I got my hair colored! My hair is really blonde, however this winter I noticed it has gotten a little darker. So we put some low lights in it and now it has give me a "jump" on my summer blonde, and I love it!

A photo posted by crystalcattle (@crystalcattle) on Apr 21, 2015 at 3:41pm PDT

From this picture you would think we have had a beautiful week on the farm. In reality it has been cold! Like below freezing at night, windy and rainy cold. The tractors have come to a standstill and planting won't start again until it dries up. Our cows are liking the moisture though because that means more grass for them.

A photo posted by crystalcattle (@crystalcattle) on Apr 22, 2015 at 4:59pm PDT

We are in a combination of calving and breeding cows. This little guy was born the night before this picture and he was very curious about my Steve Madden wedges. Who says farm girls can't wear heels. Earlier in the day these wedges toured two warehouses full of livestock feed and supplements.

I hope you've had a great week too! If you missed out on the Beauty Swap Link Up make sure you check it out. Lots of reviews on all kind of products, and there is still time to link up if you were a swapper.

Cows Take Baths Too

On our farm our cows get baths. Not all of them, but the ones that get shown at a sale or an event like the Iowa State Fair do. Part of the reason is they are purebred animals and have a registration paper just like a purebred dog would. In February we showed and sold two of our animal. A bull that was sold to another breeder. He'll go on a start breeding cows this spring. And a heifer that a young boy nought and he will continue to show her through the summer and fall. Then at around 24 months of age she'll have her first baby.

For Christmas the Boy got a GoPro and he decided to put it to use before sale day, and catch what bath time really looks like.

After we wash them, they get blown dry. If we leave them wet they could get sick, just like a kid going outside with wet hair. Got to keep our livestock happy and healthy!

Farm #LikeAGirl

Today, we came pretty close to missing all of the Super Bowl Sunday hoopla. Why?

This is what seven inches of snow looks like on our farm. Then we got another three inches throughout the day. And then it blew, and blew, and blew.

Yes, I grew up in Canada. Yes, I actually like snow. But when snow blows it isn't much fun.

We had put out extra feed and bedding for the cattle yesterday because we knew this weather was coming. The cattle would be ok because of the steps we took yesterday, however, that doesn't mean that they didn't need a little extra warmth.

It doesn't make sense to put out more straw for bedding when it is still snowing and blowing because it will be quickly covered up. So, the Boy and I waited until two this afternoon to venture back outside.
This is how the day went.

Head to the barn and begin loading square straw bales into the back of the mini truck. Start the mini truck. Battery dead. Hook up charger. Wait. Wait. Wait. Ok now we are ready to go. Head to the first pen. Unload bales, wade through snow drifts, get bedding down.

Load ourselves back up, move to the next pen. Get the mini truck stuck.

The Boy goes to get the tractor so we can pull it out while I unload the bales and drag them to the windbreak. Thinking 1. this is a great workout. 2. I wonder how many calories I am burning. 3. Man I am out of shape!

Hook the tractor up to the mini truck. Get it unstuck. Get more bales for the next pen. Get the mini truck stuck again. Repeat all steps and thoughts posted above. 

Needless to say we were a little behind schedule for our Super Bowl Fun, but we made it and had a great time with friends. I really didn't care who won the game, but thought it was good football and a fun halftime show. And I loved this commercial. 

And I am happy to say I Farm #likeagirl. 

The Bachelor: Real Bachelorette Farmers

Last week the world got to meet Chris Soules, aka the new Bachelor Farmer and start of Season 19 of ABC's The Bachelor. Everyone as go to meet two of my bachelor farmer friends. However, I also have many lady friends that are pretty spectacular Bachelorette Farmers.

As a side note many of you have inquired about these bachelors and I assume you might have questions about these lovely ladies. Although, I won't be giving out anyone's email addresses or phone numbers they are pretty easy to find on Instagram and/pr Twitter. Feel free to reach out, you never know what could happen! So, without further ado I introduce you to Hannah and Kristi. These ladies have strong agriculture roots, but combine that with intelligence, ambitions and high heels.

First I introduce you to Hannah. Hannah and I met while I was working for the American Angus Association. This gal has spunk. She has a passion for adventure, cherishes her family and loves anytime she gets to spend around cows of both the beef and dairy varieties. 

Name: Hannah McCabe
Age: 23
Where did you grow up and where do you live now? I grew up in Elk City, Kansas, but I moved to Liverpool, New York about a year and a half ago.
Occupation: Pharmaceutical Representative for Cattle

How are you involved in agriculture? I grew up on an Angus and Hereford farm where I was involved in every single aspect from freeze branding, clipping bulls for the sale or putting up hay in the summer. In fact, my siblings and I often joke that my parents had so many kids simply for free labor on our 'plantation' (they LOVE it when we say this!). Today with my job, I spend the majority of my time focusing on dairy cows, since that's mostly what is found in upstate NY. The challenge of learning a totally new industry with completely different priorities for production and health issues has been really fun!
So you work with dairy farmers all day, you love cows, and you've stepped in poop but what is one thing that would surprise people about you? I asked a few people in my family this, and they all replied, "Hannah, NOTHING you do anymore surprises me", with varying degrees of sarcasm. But one thing that has been getting an eyebrow raise from everyone I tell would be my plans to go to Iceland this spring.

What would be your favorite thing to do on date? If someone wanted to take me to an Adele concert, I don't care who you are, you would win best date ever for sure! (When is she going to release that new album?!) But really I just want to be doing something fun. I love experiencing new things and am up for almost anything! As long as the time spent is quality and there's cake involved at some point, I'm satisfied.
Favorite activity off the farm? Traveling to new places for sure! Domestic or international, doesn't matter to me. As I said before, I love experiencing new things, learning about different cultures and seeing all things you hear about growing up.
Favorite activity on the farm? As weird as this is, I LOVE to A.I. (artificially insemenate cows)! Ever since I learned in high school, it has been my favorite activity. But really, I'm pretty happy to do anything as long as it doesn't involve building hot wire fence around wheat pasture for winter grazing.
Favorite movie? Steel Magnolias- not even a contest. And if I find out one of my friends has never seen it, I immediately plan a movie night to fix that!

Follow Hannah on Instagram at @therealhannahmccabe

Next up is Kristi. Kristi is a dear friend of mine! She actually is how the Boy and I finally met and started dating. She is career driven, extremely passionate about standing up for agriculture and bleeds Oklahoma State orange.

Name: Kristi Bishop

Age: 29

Where did you grow up and where do you live now: I was raised in southeastern Montana, however I've lived in Oklahoma for nearly 10 years! 

Occupation: Prospective Students Coordinator, Oklahoma State University College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. I recruit students to pursue degrees in agriculture and natural resources and facilitate leadership development programs for current students. Never a dull day working with high school and college aged students...and their moms.

What's your agriculture background? I grew up on my families cow-calf ranch raising Hereford cattle, barley, wheat and eventually sugar beets! College took me to Oklahoma State University where I received both my bachelor and master degrees in Animal Science.
You have also have a background in politics why are you so passionate about agriculture? My passion comes from a desire to help protect production agriculture from unnecessary burdens imposed by government such as land use restrictions, infringements on private property rights and ill-advised protections for endangered species. My first job after grad school was as a lobbyist and I've stayed engaged in the legislative process primarily through my involvement with American Agri-Women, a group that is best described as being "non-partisan but not non-political" in their efforts to share the truth about agriculture.
What would be your favorite thing to do on date? Dinner and an outdoor concert...preferably one that encourages two-stepping.
Favorite activity off the farm? So many, but at the top of the list are traveling (annual trip to New Orleans is my favorite!) and weekends at the lake.
Favorite activity on the farm? Pretty simple - riding in the pickup looking at cattle. At the end of a long day grabbing a cold beer and driving through pastures is where it's at.
Favorite meal, and would you be cooking at home or going out? Nothing beats a steak grilled at home, but I love going out for sushi or Italian. Lets be real- going out means someone else does the dishes!

Follow Kristi on Instagram at @bkristi

What's Really Wrong With the Bachelor's Bachelorettes

Last night Season 19 of the Bachelor aired and this year it features a bachelor farmer! Chris Soules is his name and he actually farms about 30 miles north of our farm. Throughout the show limo after limo showed up of beautiful eligible young ladies hoping to be The Future Mrs. Soules. I watched all three hours of the show (well technically I had to pause it because we had a new born baby calf) and the women range from talented, eloquent, drunk and quirky. Throughout and after the show there were MANY comments along the lines of:

"My opinion and thought.....if you are going to have a farmer on the Bachelor why not find some real country girls to be on the show to possibly be a farmer's wife!"

"She's way too made up in her prom dress to make it on the farm."

"She'll never survive in a small town."

So what is wrong with these comments? Shouldn't the producers picked girls straight off the farm (no pun intended).

Here is what is wrong. 

1. We talk about how the average age of a farmer is 55 years old, and that we need young people to be involved in agriculture. Well what about welcome new, young people to agriculture. So what if these women didn't grow up in agriculture? I know plenty of women (and men like my brother-in-law) that didn't grow up in ag, but were more than willing to join our crowd when they met their farmer. And these people are important parts of their farm or agriculture operations. Jenny of Prairie California is a great example. 

2. What is wrong with knowing how to wear a cocktail dress and put on make-up. I like MAC make-up, J.Crew, hairspray and jewelry. That does not mean that I don't know how to pull a calf, feed cattle, work cows and most recently I learned how to drive the skid steer. Looking Pretty in Agriculture is a blog post I wrote a few year about about when people say "You don't look like you grew up on a farm."



3. You know what, small towns won't survive if we don't welcome new people. I grew up in a small town, but trust me it is intimidating to be the knew girl in town. Especially when the social circles are small and well established. After I moved away from my small rural town I lived in some pretty big cities. Nowadays the closest GAP and Banana Republic are more than an hour away. The only MAC store in the state of Iowa is 2.5 hours, and it isn't even a stand alone store it is in Yonkers. That doesn't mean that I can't find what I need online and be creative about where I shop to get my style fix. 

So what's really wrong with theses bachelorettes? Nothing. Let's stop before we cast judgement about whether these Bachelor women can make it as a farm wife. I think their future #BachelorFarmer can make that determination. And if you are a city gal or farm gal check out these two eligible #BachelorFarmer friends. 

NYE 2015: Wear Your Party Clothes to the Barn

Tonight we aren't headed out on the town. Tonight we have two cows that are very close to calving. So we are at home keeping a close eye on them. However, that doesn't mean you can't dress up and have a little fun. So after some arm twisting sweet talking the Boy agree to putting on our party clothes and taking a picture in the barn. Never mind it is only 14 degrees out. 

So wherever you may be Happy New Year. Here is to an awesome 2015. 

New Bedding for a New Year

2015 is only days away. A new year means new beginnings including the new bedding that we put out this weekend. However, I'm not talking about this kind of bedding (although it is really pretty, and I love this look!)

I'm talking about this kind of bedding. 

On January 1st we have three cows due to calve. Although, the weather in Iowa has been amazingly warm, but it is about to get really cold, and that means we need to start planning for the new calves that will be coming soon. But things don't magically look like this. 

First we had to shovel out all the old bedding and get it clean. Thankfully those doors push open and we used a skid steer to push most of it out. 

Then we bring in the cattle bedding aka plain yellow straw. That's what cattle prefer over gold polka dotted bedding. The Boy is also in the picture waving or maybe saying under his breathe get over here and help me shake out this bedding. 

Lot of shaking happens and the panels go back up. You can't see it from this picture put there is a gate only bigger enough for the calves to fit under. This way they can sneak into their bedding and take a warm nap away from their moms. We change out the bedding throughout the winter to keep the calves happy and healthy. 

You can also check out my post from last year My Bedroom Compared to a Cow's Bedroom to see what the bedding looks like for the adult cows. To get details on the bedding and furniture in the top picture click here. 

Life on the Farm: A Week of Instagram

What a week it has been. We had six consecutive days of rain and that meant no planting could happen in our part of Iowa. However, that did mean major progress on our basement renovations and a start on the guest bedroom update.

Last Thursday we made a trip over to Cedar Falls, IA to watch the Farmland movie. It was awesome. Make sure you check out the Farmland website to see if the movie is playing near you. The movie is also supposed to be coming out on DVD this summer. One of the highlights of the night was meeting my Instagram/blogger friend Nicole aka Farm Girl Chaos. She is an amazing dessert baker, junk lover and awesome farm girl. She made the Boy and I these awesome keychains. 

After peeling what seemed liked a million glow in the dark stars off the ceiling of our guest bedroom, I then primer the walls and started testing neutral paint colors. I pretty much have no idea what I want because the floors are currently getting refurnished a darker color and I know one day these room will serve a different purpose (dare a nursery in the far distance future). Why is picking a color so hard? 

Our last calf was finally born, and it was another heifer calf. We have way more heifers than bulls this year. It is so fun to watch all of the calves growing like weeds right now. This little girl looks itty bitty next to our January heifer calves, but she'll grow fast. 

Remember when I said is had been raining non-stop, well on Sunday it stopped! Therefor, planting corn and soybeans has resumed. And that means the Boy and I are pretty much on exact opposite schedules again. He gets in the tractor between 8 and 10 p.m. every night and then gets home at 8 a.m. and goes to bed while I am starting my work day. This has been going on for the past three days, and will continue until either it rains or they finish planting. If you are on Twitter or Instagram follow #plant14 for a lot of cool updates and photos.  

How has your week been? Have you noticed more tractors in your area or is your family enjoying the green grass and slightly warmer temperature? 

Giveaway: God Made a Farmer's Wife

A little bit ago I found this wonderful poem on Pinterest called So God Made a Farmer's Wife. That poem let me to South Dakota blogger, writer and modern day quilter Sierra Shea.  Sierra also recently wrote a second poem called So God Made a Ranch Wife.

To celebrate all women in agriculture and Sierra's new poem she is giving away one of the poems.

"God said, "I need somebody strong enough to tamp posts and heave bales, to co-sgin a loan for half a million with steady hands, yet gentle enough to tame show steers and raise kids and calm the rancher when he's upset over high corn and lower fat cattle..." 

I can definitely relate to so many lines in this poem. Farm and ranch wives are not only an important part of the the farm or ranch, but they also have a household and often a family to tend to. 

My 8-5 is spent inside and usually behind a computer, but I love the time I spent outside working beside the boy on our farm. 

Be sure to check our Sierra's store as she is selling both of these prints. 

Below is how to enter, and if you don't have a blog just leave a comment with which of the posts would you choose.  

An InLinkz Link-up

Spring Wedge Love

Last week, when I in Oklahoma City for the World Largest Youth Expo aka The Oklahoma Youth Expo, I had to do a little shopping. You've probably seen an Instagram picture or two of me wearing heels out in the barn or pasture. Sometimes there is no time to change into more practical shoes before you run out to the barn to feed or to put cows back where they belong. I will tell you it is a lot easier to maneuver the barnyard in wedges than heels! Plus, with a Dominican vacation coming up I'm thinking that a new pair may be in order.

1. Sperry Top-Sider Harbordale Wedge Sandal - $118 

2. TOMS Strappy Wedge Sandal - $69

3. Jessica Simpson Maddalo Sandal - $89

4. BCBG Brent Wedge Sandals - $89

5. Sperry Top-Sider Aurora Espadrille Wedges - $89

Right now I am leaning towards 2 and 3. There are so many other cute pairs on the TOMS website, you'll have to check them out as well. 

Which wedge is your favorite, and are you more of a wedge sandal or flip flop kind of gal? Also, don't forget to sign up to the Spring Beauty Swap. 

#FarmVoices - I'm going to play that card and play it hard

There was a man named Norman Borlaug that was a genius and father of the Green Revolution. He is often credited with saving billions of lives through the agricultural techiniques he implemented around the world that increase crop yields and in turn increase food production. Today is a unique day because not only would it be Norman's 100th birthday, but it is also National Ag Day.

I love this video remix of some of Norman's most profound quotes. I think my favorite quote of his is "If I have anything to contribute to this world I'm going to play that card and play it hard." For Norman this meant that he was going to use science, use GMO variations, use technology to ensure more people around the world had access to food and basic necessities.

For my husband and I our card is raising the best Hereford cattle possible. We want superior genetics, cattle that are phenotypically superior and at the end of the day produce a great steak.

"Look what happened to the dinosaur. When he lost his ability to change he became obsolete. Is this the destiny of the human species." - Norman Borlaug

Staying Goodbye to our Cows

For those that have been following my blog, Instagram or Crystal Cattle Facebook page know that this past week it was the time to sell Parker the Hereford bull and our Hereford heifer Honey Love. No offense to Honey Love, but Parker has always been the favorite. We were there when he was born and have watched him grow into a 1,400-plus pound bull ready to go breed so cows.

Parker and Honey Love were sold in an auction on Thursday, called the Iowa Beef Expo, and we are really excited about their new owners. Parker is going to Arkansas to another family that has Hereford cattle. They are so excited to get him, and I can tell that he is going to be a great new farm. Before the Arkansas family receives Parker the Boy first took him to what we call a stud. Here they will collect semen and freeze it so we can artificially inseminate (A.I.) some cows this spring. This is just one of the technologies we use on our farm. Even though Parker will be in Arkansas we will still have some of his baby's on our farm in Spring 2015.

Parker and Honey Love waiting for the sale to start. 

Our heifer Honey Love sold to North Carolina. She is going to a family that has kids and will likely be shown. I think she is going to become someone's favorite very quickly. Honey Love gets to stay at our house for a bit longer until the family makes it to Iowa to pick her up.

Honey Love shares her name with one of my favorite MAC lipsticks. 

One of the reasons why I love our cattle and agriculture so much is because we have the opportunity to make friends with people from all over the country. When you are as passionate as we are about our cows it forms a strong bond.

Now on another completely different note it is time share your Beauty Swap posts if you participated. I will have a post up on Tuesday and you can link you posts to it throughout the week. There will even be a little giveaway going on.

The Chevy Hereford Bull Iowa Style

Another Super Bowl is over. In my opinion it is a good thing that there were some good commercials because it was all a little underwhelming. I will have to say that one of my favorite commercials was the Chevy Super Bowl Commercial "Romance."

The Boy found out that the bull in the video goes back to Star Lake (his dad and grandpa's ranch that was sold in 2012) bloodlines. Although, it was neat to see a Hereford bull in the ad since that is what the Boy and I raise, we like to think that we have our own superstar Hereford bull.

Parker is our Hereford bull that we will be selling in the Iowa Beef Expo in February. He will be bought by another cattlemen and turned out with a pasture full of ladies this spring for a little "romance." This weekend we spent primping, washing and clipping Parker for his video debut.

I am definitely going to miss Parker. He is kind of like my big baby, but I can't wait to see what kind of calves he'll produce. His mom, Teardrop, has another bull calf inside of her, and she will be calving this spring. Who knows if she'll be mother to another superstar. 

My Bedroom Compared to a Cow's Bedroom

The other week the Boy walked home and said, "Well there is some crack for you in the mail." Hun? When I looked a the mail pile I quickly saw two new Pottery Barn catalogs and a West Elm catalog. Ah, now I understand. It was going to be a fun night of reading.

Instantly I was drawn to the January 2014 Pottery Catalog and their new Indigo "color story." And instantly I wanted to redo our bedroom (even though I wouldn't say it is completely done to begin with!) That's the problem with Pottery Barn, each season they come out with amazing new bedding ideas. However, I am pretty excited about this Indigo look.

For links to all the decor click here. 

That same week I was also thinking about bedding for our cattle. In the winter the cattle also need new bedding. I am not sure they would get as excited about about Indigo bedding as I do, as their bedding comes in the form of old corn stalks, straw or shavings.

This is a video of some of my mom and dad's bulls, in Canada, enjoying their bedding and that fancy wooden windbreak aka their headboard. Their kitchen aka the feed bunk is also right next to their bedroom. 

How long have you had your bedding for or do you swap it out frequently? Or maybe you are like our cattle and keeping warm and comfortable is the only thing that really matters. 

p.s. If you have been waiting for my next Beauty Swap announcement be watching my blog this week as I will be sharing the details!