Cattle... a family affair

Things have been a little hectic around the Rippe Ranch but I couldn't resist posting some of the pictures I took a few months ago.  Every year before the cows and new calves go to grass for the summer, they have to be worked.  They all get vaccinations to prevent diseases and keep them healthy, just like kids do.  We also give them a pour on product to help with fly control during the summer.

There has been a lot of discussion in the news and social media the last few months due to the legislation that would eliminate kids being able to work or help out on the farm.  I'm the first one to promote safety and, believe me, we are watching them like a hawk when they are out with us.  However, I couldn't help but think about all the things I had read by supporters of the bill as we worked our cow herd.

It's not so much the "labor" they provide at this age, but more about the quality family time we are having together and the work ethic that we are instilling.  The kids LOVE to be involved and feel like they are helping contribute to the task at hand.  Besides that, we are teaching our kids where food comes from, all about beef production, and how to appreciate what farmers and ranchers all across America do for us on a daily basis.

Even the family dogs get involved in action!!!

We always find age-appropriate tasks for the kids.  For example, Nate was in charge of handing syringes and equipment to his dad, and Ally recorded all of the tag information for every critter that came thru the chute.  After Gail and I sorted all the calves off the cows, Ally and Nate were in charge of getting them up to the barn.   Pushing calves is a great way for them to learn cattle handling skills in a safe manner and they are a big help to us!

This also gives them a chance to check out all the calves and decide which ones would make the best 4-H calves to take to the fair too!!

It was a big day but we had a great time working together and the kids were a HUGE help.  Sure, we could have done it without them, but it wouldn't have been near as much fun! 

When you get the call...

When my kids get off the bus in the afternoon, I either meet them at the house or they are supposed to call me to tell me they are home and I head that way.  Since we are only 5 minutes away, it works pretty well.  The other day, however, Gail got the call instead of me.  I happened to be standing near by and I could hear one of the kids yelling "THE 4-H CALVES ARE OUT!! COME HOME QUICK!!!".  So like any good dad would do, he replied, "Your mom is on her way!"

I was laughing the whole way home thinking about the conversation and when I got there, this is what I found:  1) Ally took charge and sent Nate to get the calves out of the garage while she notified the police a parent. 2) They sent the 4-H calves back in the general direction they came from, only to find that about 30 cows had also gotten out in the process.  3) Knowing the police and/or parents were on their way home, they did what any good farm kid would do... they got their afterschool snacks and stood guard while the cows had free range of our winter hay supply.  4) When I arrived, Nate was eating a sack of popcorn, Ally was shelling and eating peanuts, and the cows were eating hay and taunting us. 5) When I finished laughing, my helpers and I chased the whole bunch back into the pen and texted the boss to tell him the damage. 

Life on the farm... you just never know what to expect!!

Good Morning Nebraska

The many faces of...

Angels making cake - Part I

When you have a few of these....

You are sure to have too many of these....

So you need one of these to do this.....

And one of these to do this.... 

And a few people to do A LOT of this.... 

 To come up with this....

Which turns into this...

And that is how you use your angels to make angel cake!

Angel Cake - Part II

The kids and I made this amazing Angel Food Cake on our snowday Friday. Actually, this isn't my cake.... I found this on the internet. But mine looked just like it. I just didn't get any pictures of the final product because some small female child in my house (who shall remain nameless) ate ALL the strawberries before I could take any pictures. This post is named Part II because PART I is still coming. We had lots of fun making it so you'll have to come back to see the before and after shots... Thanks to my chickens, it looks like we'll be making a lot of these in the future!

Farm Fashion...

Nate is all about fashion these days.  Actually he is more about being "just like dad".  This means he HAD to have a pair of coveralls.  He also HAS to wear his "John Jury" hat...  EVERYWHERE!  He talks about it like it's Calvin Klein or Ralph Lauren.... like everybody should know about and/or own a piece of John Jury clothing.  So if you need some John Jury fashion in your life, visit his daughter's blog here and maybe she can hook you up!!  In the meantime, we should all take such joy in our farm aparell!