Armstrong Manor Farm

Monday mornings are our #HerdHealthDay. It's the day when our vet comes and preg checks our cows.

Merry Christmas!

It’s starting to cool off outside, which means it’s the perfect time to snuggle up extra-long and enjoy some breakfast in bed and maybe some good food, too. Subscribe for recipes and romance. https://mailchi.mp/2a87647ed121/toe-curling-breakfast-in-bed #Romance #RomanceBooks #Author #Recipes #DebArmstrong

You know what woke me up from a dead sleep this morning at 3:00 am? Farmers running combines and tractors in the field behind my house. They were running wide o...pen and trying to beat the rain ahead. You know what I didn't do? Get mad and complain. This time of year is dusty and frustrating, especially for those that do not have a farmer as a loved one. Please remember that they are trying to support their families. They have a spouse and children waiting up for them to come home late at night and eat a cold supper. It's hard for everyone but they are busting their hump and are missed desperately by their families. So if a tractor or combine wakes you up at night, pray for them. If you get stuck behind a farmer on the road, pray for them. I assure you they would appreciate it and so would their family. #thankafarmer #prayforafarmer ***Edited to add, this is not my photo. Photo is from blog.machinefinder.com

Good morning! Montgomery and Gwendolyn have made it to the top 30 in Semex's photo competition. I invite you to click on the link and vote for their picture. It's called Afternoon Chores at the Heifer Barn by Bethany A. Thanks!

Hi everyone! We're taking part in Semex's photo contest. One of our photos was selected for the top 30. We're asking you to vote for our picture. Please click on the link and vote for Afternoon Chores at Heifer Barn. Thanks so much. http://semex.com/i?lang=en&page=2020photocontest

For your it's almost the weekend enjoyment.

Sharing this post. It applies to our cows, too.

Monday morning humour.

End of planting humour.

I read yesterday where we take some cattle in from other countries because we have trade deals, I think you should look at terminating those deals, US Preside...nt Trump said, speaking to USDA Secretary Perdue. We have trade deals where we actually take in cattle, and we have a lot of cattle in this country, and I think you should look at the possibility of terminating those trade deals. How do our Canadian beef producer friends feel about this? Do you know what kind of repercussions Trumps threatened closure of cattle imports would have on the Canadian beef industry? Im not very familiar with our import/export of beef but I do know that with beef processing capability so limited right now due to Covid outbreaks at beef plants things are pretty unstable for you. I can imagine that Trumps statement and threat would add another worry to an already frightening time for you. But Id also like to express my thoughts as a dairy farmer on Trumps statement. Under those same trade deals that he threatens to terminate, the US exports milk to Canada. A lot of milk. Perhaps that should be stopped as well? Canadas dairy farmers could do very well supplying our own domestic market, without the need for imports, but when NAFTA was being re-negotiated increased dairy access into Canada was a big deal to Trump. Funny how now the shoe is on the other foot and now the deal should be terminated? Ironic, isnt it? Last year the US ran a $474 million trade surplus in dairy with Canada: It exported $636 million in dairy products to Canada and imported $162 million, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. (You can bet with the new USMCA deal that surplus will be even bigger with the new concessions made to allow even more US milk into Canada). Canada has traded away nearly one fifth of our dairy market, leaving it open to foreign imports. Dairy has been used as a bargaining chip in previous trade deals to secure better export access for other agricultural products, including beef. And this has negatively impacted our countrys dairy farmers. Now, reading how these oh-so-important trade deals are merely a slip of paper that Trump implies he can terminate at will feels like a pretty rude slap in the face. When the last trade deal (CUSMA) was negotiated, Canadian dairy farmers were told that the deal was positive for our beef farming friends. That we shouldnt complain about the increased access to dairy, forced changes to how we price our products, and unprecedented concessions allowing the US oversight into our dairy sector because well, at least supply management was left intact and our agriculture compatriots would be able to export more product. A win for agriculture. So we sat back and worked on ways to adjust to this new normal, once again taking a hit in the farm pocketbook. I think if Covid has shown us one thing, its that our country needs to be more self sufficient in all things, including food and agriculture where possible. Think of the 3M mask fiasco. Although that was resolved quickly, should the same thing happen with imported food - if one of our trading partners decides at will to not fulfil trade requirements with certain food or agriculture products - then wed be in big trouble. Food sovereignty in uncertain times should become most important to our government and our citizens. A country that cannot feed itself is not very strong or resilient in the face of global crisis. This definitely should be food for thought for the powers that be. So what can we do as consumers? How can you support Canadas farmers and economy? Look for the little Canadian blue cow logo on all dairy products and various forms of the maple leaf on eggs, poultry, and beef that you purchase in the store. Support Canadian agriculture, our economy, and your farming neighbours with your purchases.

Planting corn 2020. Auto steer and new 12 row corn planter. 90 acres per fill. Love it.

Here's a chuckle for you.

https://youtu.be/EvHCPArCDV4

Something to think about.

The Armstrongs have a process set in place for future generations to become farm partners and continue serving in Caledon.

Good morning. STuck at home? Take a tour of a farm.

We have great staff. Without their talents, and their dedication to herd health, we would not be where we are today. Naraine Persaud works with vet students who visit us in the summer to learn how to work with cows, one of their requirements to graduate.

The Armstrongs have more than 7 generations of dairy farming behind them, and their future in Caledon is looking bright. Their tie to community through charity ...work can be seen in each generation. In 1895 Abram Armstrong built the family farm house, which the family currently still lives in. His grandson David was a founding director of a local charity in Caledon in 1976 called S.H.A.R.E which sends help to agriculturally-based communities in developing countries. A strong tie to community continues with Deborah who joined Women Supporting Women in Brampton in 2013, and is now the Chair. Following in her family's footsteps her daughter Tiegan is now a director of S.H.A.R.E. See more

We have had to put up posters warning everyone to clear the milk house when the milk truck appears. No one is to be near him.

COVID-19 (coronavirus) and Dairy Products So, does drinking milk keep you from catching coronavirus? Yes and no.... Milk contains a glycoprotein called lactoferrin that plays an important role in your immune system. Lactoferrin regulates iron absorption which in turn helps prevent the growth of pathogens (such as coronavirus) by depriving the pathogens of essential nutrients. So, having plenty of lactoferrin in your system can help your body fight off a virus. Lactoferrin is found in cow milk but is actually found in much higher quantities in cow colostrum (7x the amount to be exact). Based on that information, the powdered bovine colostrum supplements sold for people would be a great source of lactoferrin as well. Lactoferrin is also found in semihard and swiss type cheeses. So, eat cheese! In 2009 Fonterra tried making an ice cream called "Recharge" that was especially high in lactoferrin. It never really made it to the full production stage but was supposed to be marketed as an immune system booster, specifically for people on chemotherapy. Lactoferrin is found in regular dairy based ice creams you can buy as well, just not in the quantities that the Recharge ice cream had. In other words, eat ice cream. Also, yogurt and kefir. Yogurt and kefir are great sources of probiotics. Probiotics have been shown to lower the incidence of respiratory infections. They also change the intestinal pH, making a less hospitable environment for pathogens. Probiotics are also capable of signaling the immune system when a disease causing organism is trying to take over. So, go buy some dairy based yogurt and kefir. It gets you lactoferrin and probiotics all at the same time! --------------- So yes, milk can help to prevent coronavirus. But it only HELPS prevent it, it won't STOP you from getting it. It isn't a guarantee but it isn't going to hurt you either. Be smart. Wash your hands. Eat a balanced diet. Have all the dairy. Just don't buy all the toilet paper.

What happens to male/boy/bull calves on your farm? This is one of the most common questions we hear from our consumers. Often they have heard horrific claims ...from certain organizations that bull calves are a waste product of the industry and are either slaughtered at birth or are raised as veal in cramped crates. Here is our response: Bull calves play an important role in providing nutritious meat for consumers. Most are raised as beef, with a smaller percentage raised as veal. Still others are raised to be breeding bulls. On our farm, we raise some of our own bull calves alongside our heifers for our beef sales. The remainder are sold to a nearby farmer who also raises them as beef. This is true for most, if not all, of the dairy farms in our area. Regardless of whether the calf is a bull or heifer, all are treated with the same respect and affection and level of care. All of our calves are fed plenty of colostrum and fresh milk, they are all housed in comfortable pens with plenty of warm soft bedding, with free access to feed and water. They all receive the same amount of pets and cuddles from our family. (I mean, can you blame us? Check out the cutie in the photo! You couldnt resist snuggling him either! ) Back in central and eastern Canada, more dairy bull calves are raised as veal. Now, before you freak out, you should know that veal standards of practice have changed dramatically in recent years. Veal crates in which the calf cannot turn around have been phased out and all veal calves are housed in group pens after a few weeks. The main difference between veal and beef is their age: veal goes to market at 5 - 7 months of age and at 500-700 lbs (definitely not a tiny calf!) and beef typically goes to market at around 18 months of age at 1000-1200 lbs. Did you know that veal and beef are the oldest food animals when they go to market? If youre interested in learning more about veal, Id highly recommend checking out @Dr. Hake - Calf Vet. She shares so much info about veal farming. Her page is fascinating! But, but, but... I can hear the objections coming already - When I drive past dairy farms I see those tiny little white igloos outside. Those are veal crates, at least that is what activist organizations have told me. No. No, those are not veal crates, but rather are the roomy, spacious, and comfortable calf hutches or domes where typically heifer (female) calves are raised for the first few months. We dont use hutches on our farm, instead our calves are in pairs in pens in our nursery, but if youd like to see one of those little white igloos up close, check out @Farmer Girl. Erica is a professional calf raiser and I have learned so much from her. So there you go. Bull (male) calves are most definitely not a waste product but rather a huge part of the food industry and regardless of whether they are raised as beef or veal, they are treated well.

Sharing this from Farmer Girl. If you don't follow her, I suggest you do.

Here's a heartfelt response to Joaquin Phoenix who thought it was a good idea to attack dairy farmers during his Oscar acceptance speech.

Sharing this well-written article.

We do not sell raw milk to the public. It doesn't matter what you need it for. It is illegal and we will not risk the penalties.We do not sell raw milk to the public. It doesn't matter what you need it for. It is illegal and we will not risk the penalties.

We grow frosted mini wheat and giant marshmallows.

Sharing a friend's post.

What do you think? Our experience tells us that very few people know anything about animal husbandry.

Although this post refers to US dairy practices, the same applies to Canadian dairy.

We often get asked what the difference between dairy and plant milk. Here's a great article.

Ever wonder how almond milk is made? Here's a chuckle for you.

Something we'll have to try with our cows. #dairy #cows #farm

It's installation day. Out with the old milk tank 18,000-litre capacity and in with the new 30,200-litre capacity. In 18 years, we have outgrown two bulk tanks. This time we had to remove a wall to make the switch. #dairy #farm #cows

We need to keep companies accountable. Now if Triscuit would stop promoting being non-GMO. Wheat is not GMO. Anywhere.

It's that time of year when we get calls about strawberries. We don't grow them but we know a farm that does. Check out Downey's Farm.

Here's a good article to read.

Wonder what he was thinking.