It’s hard to believe that we are halfway through Fall. Here in Northeast Nebraska we have had a near perfect fall and it looks like it will continue for a while. The farmers are getting the last of their crops in and preparing the land for next spring.
It has been a very interesting year at Almosta Farm. Many good things, but also some challenges to overcome. While I was out east to the Convention In June , we had an awful storm here with straight line winds which sent both of our 3 sided barns tumbling into the pastures. We have had them for 7 years and they have withstood many different kinds of weather. This was the perfect storm. Luckily, the animals were OK and that was the important thing.
So, what do we do now ? After visiting, so many farms through the years and saw many great set ups; I had a pretty good idea on how I wanted things set up this time. I firmly believe there is a reason for things to happen, and this was it, to get it right for us. So, we have a 40 x40, 3 1/2 sided barn ordered that should be built any day now. I also was able to purchase a squeeze chute, scales, etc. from Marsh Creek Highlands since they are retiring. I am excited to think that we are going to have a great set up when it’s done.
I have once again had the honor of showing a couple of animals for Gray Owl Farms and also for the first time We Tired Acres. We all had a good show season and am looking forward to going to the National Western Stock Show & Sale.
Being on the National Board , I have been involved in getting a separate display set up with Highland Cross Bred steers for folks to see just what the Highland breed can do for the Beef Industry at the National Western. Angus Mackay from Scotland is coming over to man the display for Q&A. He is such an engaging man and is a wealth of information as far as the breed and what it can offer. He has a butcher shop and raises cross breds along with purebred Highlands. He also judges shows all over the world.
Almosta Farm's Hatti
We have submitted a black heifer sired by our Grand Champion Bull; Skye High Koal at the National Sale and am so proud of what he and “his cows” are producing for us. It will also be the first time that we have submitted a yearling bull into the National Sale. Raine is sired by our tried and true senior sire: Spring Flight Connecticut Yankee. He continues to amaze me on what he and “his” cows produce for us each year. Check them out in the sales section!
If you have not been to the National Western Stock Show in Denver, it’s worth the time to go and check it out . There is so much to see and the weather is always warmer than it is here in Nebraska. Plus it’s just fun. If you find yourself there, come look Almosta Farm up, take a break from walking and have a chat with us: The coffee pot is always on.
We wish you all very special holidays and a very Happy New Year.
Summer is always a fun time for everyone, with vacations and family events; creating memories that will last a lifetime. And that was what happened to me this summer.
With the National Highland Cattle Convention being held in different regions, this year it was in Ithaca, NY in June. These gatherings are such a great venue for education, networking with other breeders and farm tours. I saw an opportunity to expand the trip to visit my aunt and uncle that live in Dexter, NY. It had been a very long time since I had seen them and what a great time we had! We also went to visit my cousin and her family, who had just purchased a dairy farm. It was fun to see their excitement and wish them all the best with their new venture. After a few days, it was time to say goodbye and head south to Ithaca.
It is a 4 day event for me, as I have a couple days of Board and committee meetings. When planning my trip east, I wanted to visit a farm or 2 after the convention , with a visit to the May family; Seawind Meadows in Dennis, MA at the top of the list. Oh, my, what a beautiful area. They were so gracious and made me feel very welcome. We visited an Oyster farm , which had many parallels as any farm. Walked along the beach with the girls helping find Sea Glass, had a terrific Cape Cod dinner. and of course had such a great time visiting , and seeing their cattle. While I was at the convention, John & Sue Foster extended an invitation to visit them at their Twinflower Farm in East Corinth, VT. So from Cape Cod I traveled north to VT. What a great time I had there! We walked pastures to see their cattle and had great conversations. Before I headed west, I also stopped to visit with Chris & Greg Markwell of Trafalgar Farm. We had all had lunch and enjoyed each other’s company. By then it was time to head west. I left the east coast with so many great memories that will last me a lifetime.
I was home for about 2 weeks, then it was off to the Midwest Jr. Cow Camp held north of Grand Rapids,MI. This was the first show of what I hope is many, held at a local resort. It was a weekend for kids, their families and cattle. The kids could bring their own or there was an animal provided for them. Dawn and Evelyn showed kids how to make neckties for their animals and personalized small wash pails. In the morning we had washing and grooming sessions, preparing the kids and the animals for the show ring. It is so much fun to watch shy kids blossom into confidant individuals by the end of weekend. It wasn’t all about cattle; during the heat of the afternoon, the families went swimming, fishing and took a boat ride across the river for Ice Cream. Because of many great and generous folks this event was free for the families and from what i could see and hear it was a HUGE Success!!
My heart is so full of memories and I feel my life is so much richer because of this summer. This breed not only has so much to offer the beef industry but the friends and memories that I have had wouldn’t have happened at all if it wasn’t for this Grand Old Breed.
