Showing Cows is a Passion!

A week ago I was able to attend the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville Kentucky as the National Guernsey Queen. This national show was the last one that I had the opportunity to attend during my reign. Attending this show was bittersweet, and I loved seeing the passion in the eyes of both the youth and adults that were showing their cows. Since I was crowned the National Guernsey Queen I have not had enough time to be able to show my own cows at any of the shows this year, and I have missed the feeling of walking into the ring! I have been showing cows since I was three years old and my father would hold the cow and I held onto the very tip of the halter! The excitement I felt every time I entered the show ring when I was younger is still the same feeling I have today. The nervous butterflies, the smile I cannot wipe off my face, and the proudness I feel for the cow that I have raised.

Showing is not about the ribbons and trophies, but it is about the passion you share for the cow that you have raised or worked with. Showing is a learning experience in many ways. Not only do you learn how to fit and show your cow the best way, but you can learn responsibility, a hard-work ethic, and how to work with others. Showing has taught me how to lose with dignity and not to be a poor sport, and it has taught me to not boast when I have won! Showing is much more than winning every class, but rather taking the advice from the judge and continuing to improve your herd.

Showing has changed my life in more ways than one, and I will continue to show for as long as I can. The thrill I feel in the show ring does not come from winning (Although that feels pretty wonderful too) but it is from the fact that I have the ability to show my cows to the best of my abilities and show the hard-work I have done for the past year. For those of you who know the feeling that I am talking about and are able to show you are just as lucky as I am. However, there are people who want to be able to show, but do not have the opportunity to get to fairs and show. I challenge you to help someone in your community get the opportunity to show. They do not need to show at a national show, but maybe your county fair or the state fair. Helping others have the opportunity to show helps spread the knowledge of dairy cattle and increase interest in the Guernsey Breed!

If you are someone that does not have the opportunity to show, but you want to learn how you need to prove to the farmer that you want to. You cannot just show up at the fair and say that you want to show. Help on the farm, work with the calf, heifer, or cow you will be showing, and help the farmer in anyway that you can! Hard-work really does pay off!

Getting bit by the show bug has been one of the best things that has happened in my life, and I cannot wait to be back in the show ring next year! If you would like to have the opportunity to show please contact me at jtm286@cornell.edu and you could have the opportunity to show one my families Guernseys or I could help you find another farm near you that you could work with. Showing is something that will change your life for the better!

I Scream You Scream We All Scream for Ice Cream

July is National Ice Cream Month! Ice cream is a favorite dessert or snack for many around the world. Vanilla is voted as the best flavor! Did you know that it takes twelve gallons of milk to make one gallon of ice cream?

One of my favorite things to do when I was younger was make ice cream with my family. Since my families Guernsey Cows are milked at a Mennonite farm, because we renovated our milking parlor into the animal hospital for my dad who is a veterinarian, we would drive to the farm where our cows are milked. We would bring home fresh Golden Guernsey Milk! Next we pasteurized the milk, and then used our old fashioned ice cream maker! It was great bonding for my family, and we would wait eagerly for the ice cream to be done. Maybe if we didn't stop the ice cream maker and check to see if it was done so often it would have been done quicker! We would enjoy our delicious vanilla ice cream however we wanted with strawberries, chocolate sauce, peanut butter cups, or any toppings we wanted to enjoy! Sometimes it was best just plain!

So here is an easy way to create memories with your family by making ice cream! You don't even need an ice cream maker! This recipe is perfect for when you just want to make a small portion of ice cream or “wow” your kids! Have fun and enjoy this delicious ice cream plain or with any toppings you have!

Homemade Ice Cream Ingredients

Ice
1 cup Kosher/Coarse Salt
4 Tbsp. Sugar
2 Cups Half & Half
1 Tsp. Vanilla Extract
Gallon-Size Ziploc Bag
Quart-Size Ziploc Bag

1. Mix Sugar, Half & Half and Vanilla Extract and pour into a quart-size Ziploc bag.  (We also made a batch of strawberry ice cream using the same ingredients and adding an additional tbsp. of  sugar and 3/4 cup fresh strawberries and blending).

 2. Place Ice and 1/2 cup of coarse salt in gallon-size Ziploc bag, place bag of ingredients on top of ice. Pour more ice and remainder 1/2 cup of salt and seal bag.

 

SHAKE-SHAKE-SHAKE 7-10 minutes

Its the Best Time of Year.... Show Season!

It is July and show season is upon us, also known as my favorite time of year! The time to get your animals ready for the show ring from endless halter breaking walks with your cow, to washing your cow, and fitting her before taking her to the fair! It is the time to show off the cows that you have been caring for all year, and have worked hard to develop into what they are now. I have spent my summers at fairs since I was a baby and would go to support my three older sisters, and I will be the first to tell you that once you show you will be hooked! There are many different shows that you can attend throughout the year such as county, state, and national shows. Here are ten helpful hints when getting ready for the fair that I had to remind myself of every show!

1) Before the fair create a list of everything you need from wash supplies, fitting supplies, and display supplies. Some of the basic things that you will need are a hose, brushes, soap (There are specific kinds of soap meant for animals), clippers, top line brush,  feed, buckets, signs with your animals information, and any information or awards you want to put up as a display. It is hard to remember everything, and that is why my family found that creating a list was the easiest way!

2) If you are showing your animals then fairs are not all about walking around eating the delicious food and riding on the fun rides. First and foremost, it is about caring for your animals, and making sure that they look the best that they can! Of course you do have to eat during the day so that can be your time to do some exploring and grab some food!

3) Now when you are finally to the fair, and getting everything set up and moved in! It will be a long few days, but the memories you will leave with will last forever! Never be afraid to ask others for help! If you are clipping your cow and you need a helping hand ask someone! There will be someone that will be willing to help, and it can be the start of a friendship or someone that can give you advice throughout your showing career. Every show that I have been to I have learned something new from someone to help me improve!

4) Never be afraid to try something new! No matter how many years you have shown there are still different ways to do everything. Be sure to stick to your morals and values, but if someone has a suggestion on how to improve something about your cow or a show technique, listen and take it into consideration. You do not always have to take the advice, but at least consider it!

5) Show day can be very stressful, and I will be the first to say that when you are stressed its easy to take your anger out on someone else! I took mine out on my family. Stay calm and do not take your anger out on someone! You can ruin relationships and people will not be as willing to help you if you are yelling at them!

6) In the show ring relax, have fun, and do your best! If you come out in first place or last place leave with a smile on your face and be thankful for the experience. If you win do not rub it in someone else's face just be grateful for your accomplishment! I know its Easier said than done!

7) Take into consideration what the judge said and how you can improve. All judges are different, but it is best to take the advice and fix it for the next show! Some of the best advice comes from the judge, and you never know when he/she will be judging a show you are in again!

8) Enjoy the people that have the same passion for showing that you do, and that are caring for their animals all week too! Play games, create memories, and bond over crazy stories! Some of my favorite memories at the fairs weren't winning on show day, but sitting around the barn with a bunch friends playing cards and laughing until our stomachs hurt!

9) Once the show is over and someone can watch your cows while you are gone take time to walk around the fair and enjoy. As much fun as it is to sit in the barn watching your cows and playing games it is also fun to walk around the fair for a little while!

10) Most importantly have fun! The reason why I love to show is because it is a week long event that you get to spend with friends, and be rewarded for your hard-work and dedication! I know it can be stressful and disappointing at times, but never give up!

I hope your showing memories are as wonderful as mine were, and will continue to be as I have aged out of 4-H but can still show at the state and national shows! If you have any questions about showing like how to get involved or how to get your cows ready do not hesitate to email me at jtm286@cornell.edu and I will answer your questions!

Good Luck, Have Fun, and Smile in the Show Ring!

As I was flying from Rochester to Minneapolis and then all the way to  California, for my internship this summer with Fiscalini Dairy Farm and Cheese Company, I had the honor to talk to different consumers about the wonderful Dairy Industry, and once again I am surprised about how little people know about where their food truly comes from, or the the stereotypes that they have for dairy farmers and farming in general.
       One particular conversation stuck out to me on my very first flight from Rochester to Minneapolis. The women sitting next to me was intrigued, and wanted to  know all about what was going on in the dairy industry such as the difference between organic and conventional foods and of course the debate on Genetically Modified Foods. It was a short flight of an hour and a half, and as we neared Minneapolis and were preparing for landing she looked at me and said, “I would like you to know that everyone morning I either eat cereal and milk or have a glass of milk with my breakfast, and I constantly think about the hard working farmers that are always caring for their  animals to the best of their abilities.  I always think to myself Thank God for farmers! I enjoy all of the delicious dairy products all the time.” What she said to me meant so much, because sometimes all dairy farmers here are the negative stereotypes that consumers have toward them, and they are never thanked enough for all of the hard work that they put in everyday Consumers truly appreciate the amazing work that farmers do every single day three-hundred and sixty-five days twenty-four-seven.
        As dairy farmers we all love to hear people that appreciate the hard work, but there will always be negative stereotypes that are associated with dairy farmers. Of course advocating for the dairy industry, and helping consumers to understand why farmers do what we have to do is very important in reducing the number of people that have a negative stereotype.
        If you are a farmer reading this I personally thank you for all of your hard work you put in everyday, but I challenge you to interact with a consumer either by posting a status about the wonderful aspects of farming, or personally talking to consumers and informing them about the dairy industry.
        If you are a consumer  reading this I hope that you enjoy  dairy products as much as I do and always eat your three servings of dairy everyday, but I challenge you that the next time you see a dairy farmer personally thank them for their hard work!

HAPPY JUNE IS DAIRY MONTH! Eat Three Servings of Dairy Every Day!

Millie is now two months old and growing like crazy! She still drinks her milk morning and night to keep her bones growing and strong. Now she even gets to eat the delicious fresh hay, and sweet feed to help balance her nutrition.

Millie loves to run around in the tall lush grass on warm summer days. Watch the short video below to see how her long legs glide through the grass:

On farms, farmers have a lot of safety precautions they take with their cows to ensure the cows are safe. One of the many precaution would be dehorning the calves. This entails taking out the horn buds before they are able to grow to prevent problems. Cows do not need horns to survive, and sometimes horns can be life threatening to a cow or person. 

Millie is at the age where she needed to be dehorned and vaccinated to ensure her health. She is now dehorned so that her horns will not grow, and the procedure is done as painless as possible. Millie has also been vaccinated with a rabies vaccine and a respiratory vaccine to prevent her from becoming sick. There are plenty of examples of why dehorning is the right thing to do for Dairy Cows. Dehorning can prevent cows from seriously injuring each other, injuring the farmer, and even getting stuck with their horns. The pros definitely out way the cons for dehorning a dairy cow and keeping them safe. 

Millie is growing bigger and loving life!

Farmers do their best to care for their animals and offer the best care for them. Going above and beyond by waking up before dawn and working long stressful days to provide for the world. Next time you see a farmer say "Thank You" for all they have done. 

Dairy Farming is a wonderful job that positively affects and helps feed consumers in the world. Farming has a lot of hardships that come along with the job, but there are also a lot of great things that happen on a farm! One of the best things that happen on a dairy farm is a newborn heifer calf. Heifer means that the calf is a girl and will be able to produce milk in two years after she has her own calf.

Wee Kin Farm, a Guernsey farm owned and operated by the McKenna family (my family), has welcomed a new addition to our herd. Baby Millie is a strong and beautiful girl!
(Millie is pictured below)

Since Millie was born she needs milk to keep her growing strong and healthy. Calves are kept on an all milk diet for the first couple of weeks that they are born. The reason for this is because their stomachs are very small and not able to digest foods as well. Once their ruminant stomach is strong the calves are given grain and hay to add to their milk and water diet. A ruminant stomach is a stomach that is broken into four compartments known as the reticulum, rumen, omasum, and abomasum. These four compartments help with digestion, and makes it possible for cows to eat a high starch diet. The grain and hay help to keep them growing fast! 

Millie has a lot of energy from the food she loves to eat, and enjoys playing in the tall lush grass and running around with the other calve on the farm. She loves meeting new people, and giving them sweet calf kisses! 

Watch Millie grow throughout her life! I will be posting updates often as she grows! If you would ever like to meet Millie or any of the other Guernseys at Wee Kin Farm please contact me via email @jtm286@cornell.edu.

Childhood is such an important part of a human beings life, it shapes who they are and what they will become. I am so thankful that everyday I woke up to a full day of new adventures. My three older sisters and I were the best of friends, the worst of enemies, and the best imagineers ever! We were four little girls growing up on a farm trying to prove to our dad that we could be just as tough as any boy he could have ever dreamed of having. We were a forced to be reckoned with. There are plenty of stories to go along with growing up on a farm, and of course the McKenna girls have created plenty of stories worth telling! Here are a few ways that you can tell if you have grown up on a farm or not.

1) What is said or done out in the barn stays in the barn. In my family there was no arguing or wrestling in the house! Mom made it very clear that if we had enough energy to fight we had enough energy to clean! It did not take us very long to make the barn our ultimate wrestling arena. Being tied to poles, shoved off a fence, or getting dunked in the cows one-hundred gallon watering trough were all fare in this war! May the strongest, smartest, and quickest girl win! When mom and dad asked where the bruise came from, why there were tears running down our faces, or why our hair was tussled, our answer were always the cows did it! The number one rule was to not tell the real story!

2) Making forts in the hay mound! Organizing the hay bales just right so that everyone could fit into the fort, and of course take part in the secret meeting! This is way better than any blanket fort!

3) Playing truth or dare in the barn. This is way more intense than any sleep over truth or dare. We are talking lifting things heavier than you weigh, having milk squirting contests straight from the udder, and having to tell the deepest darkest secret you have ever held.

4) I am sure not all farm kids played Cadet kelley, but this is the famous game known to the McKenna family! After watching the Disney movie Cadet Kelley we marched out the barn, and created our own game! Caton being the oldest was immediately the Sergeant ordering the rest of us around. We would have to do any obstacle she had in mind like carrying hay bales, filling the water troughs using buckets instead of hoses, and who could milk the goats the fastest. She was very smart and normally during the game would have us do her chores, and then she announce the game was over! As she marched in the house Kerri, Betsey, and I were left to finish our own chores.

5) For those that are truly dedicated to their animals they will even taste the food that their animals eat. No the food will no kill you, however, from personal experience I would not recommend milk replacer it is not the best choice of drinks!

6) Show season brings about shaving the cows before the fair in order to make sure that they look their best. In my family my parents were very serious about not letting us girls shave out legs until we were old enough. Oh but there is always a way around every rule! The forty blade used on the cows udder were perfect for the job. Betsey and I trusted each other enough to shave each others legs!

7) Going out to do chores later than the normal in the dark can be very scary! Betsey and I would also grip each others hands and sing, "Jesus Loves Me" thinking that if anyone was in out barn, and they heard us singing a Christian song they would not hurt us. However, the only thing that was behind any door or turn was another sister, specifically Kerri, waiting for us so that she could be the monster to scare us!

8) Going to school with numerous injuries caused on the farm, and all of your friends gathering around to hear what could have possibly happened
! The main one getting a pitch fork stabbed in my foot. The pain might have been horrible, but now the story is fun to tell.

9) Being locked in a chicken coop for three hours and having to escape through a tinny window by my wonderful sister Betsey who is truly a ginger! However, she did have to do my chores for three weeks!

10) Being able to proudly say that you have raised animals from birth, and created a bond with this animal so that she comes running to the sound of her name!

There have been plenty of wonderful times and tragedies that have taken place on my farm, but through it all I would never have traded the memories, experience, or responsibility that I have been given! Not everyone has the opportunity to grow up on a farm, but every person has a connection to agriculture! Never take for granted the childhood you were given, and make the most of everyday and memory made!