Whoa Baby!

Original Newsletter 1/31/2023

Hey There!
 

I hope everyone is staying warm this week.

We are in the midst of a winter storm and spent most of the weekend prepping to make sure the animals ride out the storm in comfort.

Friday, Tye came home from a 9-day trip to Guatemala. He went with an organization that instructs how to drill water wells without power and with minimal supplies for impoverished communities. (Maybe I can convince him to share his experience sometime) You can check it out at OneMillionWells.org

He didn't even make it home from the airport before a cow situation had us in crisis mode.

One of our Mama's was giving birth to a breech calf! Just like people, breech births ideal for cattle. We assessed the situation and were certain this Mama was not making progress so we walked her over a mile from the very back field to the cattle pens for assistance. At this point, it was after hours on a Friday and like most of us, veterinarians would rather be at home with their families on the weekend than shoulder deep in a cow's uterus so it was up to us to assist.

Thankfully, her stroll through the pasture really kicked things into motion and she was able to give birth on her own.

Raising livestock is a lot of things, but boring isn't one of them.

We get to be one part veterinarian, one part animal nutritionist, one part geneticist, and the list goes on. It's our responsibility to be prepared and steward our animals to have the best possible care.

The picture below shows Mama and Little Bit right after she cleaned him up.


 

It's COLD! Let's Make Some Chili

 
Here's what's on the menu at the farm tonight

Stock image because the chili isn't actually cooked yet :)

Chili Recipe

 

Here's What You'll Need:

 
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium onion
  • 1 jalapeno (adjust for heat tolerance)
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 tablespoons cumin
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 1/2 cups bone broth or beef stock
  • 15 oz diced tomatoes
  • 8 oz tomato sauce
  • 16 oz kidney/pinto beans drained

Optional I like to chop up okra and hide it in the chili. Our garden produces a ton of okra and it adds some extra flavor as well.

 

1. Brown beef and onions
2. Add in the rest. 
3. Mix it up let simmer for about 30 minutes. Stir as needed


This makes great leftovers. It's even more flavorful the next day.

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