Virginia Farms Alone! Milking cows, barn chores, feeding hay while Stacy is at school!

Рет қаралды 9,913

Жыл бұрын

While Stacy is at diesel, mechanic school in Spokane, Virginia is busy keeping the farm running! This means she is doing all the chores by herself, including milking cows, cleaning the barn, feeding hay, and delivering milk. She only has to get through three weeks, however, because we are driving up the cows at the end of January.
Clover mountain dairy is a small certified organic farm located an hour north of Spokane in North East Washington state.

Пікірлер: 83

@ardurbin2 Жыл бұрын

You go girl! If anyone can take charge, it's you Virginia. 👍💪🙏

@vnthomas16 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for support! I definitely needed that cheerleading by Thursday night lol!

@bucsr.6106 Жыл бұрын

True partnership, through and through you guys rock!

@vnthomas16 Жыл бұрын

Making that dream work!

@andrewseamans1419 Жыл бұрын

My hats off to you guys! Dairy Farming requires the most dedication of all farming as far as I'm concerned.

@vnthomas16 Жыл бұрын

Thanks! Yes, dairy farming can be pretty demanding. That's why we love milking once a day and milk sharing with the calves.

@christianluts810 Жыл бұрын

Anybody who says that "Ladies who lunch" are living life large probably never think that they also have to do the milking, twice, feed the animals and deliver the milk. Don't ever underestimate those ladies!

@vnthomas16 Жыл бұрын

I didn't know "Ladies who lunch" was an option...is it too late to join!?! :) Would they approve of my "nice" town clothes with only a couple stains.... Thanks for your thoughts and watching!

@rosehorton6404 Жыл бұрын

You are a true inspiration of a positive outlook and help mate to Stacy. Your videos brighten my day🌅May you and all who might read this have an wonderful day!🌹-Outer Banks, North Carolina

@vnthomas16 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the kind words. I hoped that I could make others happy and share the joy of our farm. Glad you enjoy it!

@thomasspink4930 Жыл бұрын

In the 60s my Grandma had to do the farm work when grandpa fell off the silo and broke his leg. Not sure how many they were milking at the time, but had to milk in the new parlor. Also had about 8 kids under 10 yrs old as well.

@vnthomas16 Жыл бұрын

"8 kids under 10 yrs old". YIKES! There definitely are some strong women out there and I am so thankful to have a few as friends and mentors. I was so happy to make it through this week and for Stacy to come home this weekend!.

@thomasspink4930 Жыл бұрын

@@vnthomas16 my mom was 3rd of 11 kids. 11 kids in 15 years. Most of them were born at home too. Glad you made it through the week with no major issues. Usually when stuff happens when you're by yourself.

@randybutler4772 Жыл бұрын

You are a trooper. Great effort to keep the home fires burning. Thank you for sharing.🐂🐂 9:32

@vnthomas16 Жыл бұрын

I'm proud to keep things going while Stacy is away, he does the same for me! Thanks for your support!

@kensmithler5965 Жыл бұрын

Great job Virginia, love your channel!

@vnthomas16 Жыл бұрын

Thanks, Ken! We aren't audio/video experts, but we try to make them fun and like you are there with us.

@reesereese9786 Жыл бұрын

I grew up on a small dairy now I just do beef cattle now but can’t stop watching your channel cute dairy and jerseys lovely

@vnthomas16 Жыл бұрын

Glad you like it! We work on making the videos fun and show how we do things. Thanks for watching!

@stevemccoy8138 Жыл бұрын

Glad you are doing well on the Dairy and Stacey is learning how to work on engine's. Stay safe out there. 🥛

@vnthomas16 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for your well wishes and watching our videos. It is hard to be apart but the cows are good company!

@mennoreuten1563 Жыл бұрын

Every once in a while my wife does it all by herself also since i do some excevator work beside the dairyfarm so i have much respect for all the farmerswifes in general , we are complete lost whitout them i tell you, thanks and greetings from a Dutch dairyfarmer

@vnthomas16 Жыл бұрын

Hi there! Yes, the farms are run by the entire family. We like that the best too. I am lost without Stacy! I much more enjoy farming with him here. Thanks for watching and thoughts!

@joansmith3492 Жыл бұрын

Your farm is what I imagine the best farm should be. Thank you for sharing it.

@vnthomas16 Жыл бұрын

Oh, thanks Joan! It's our farm, so we obviously feel this way, but glad to hear that from you. Thanks for coming along and keeping me company.

@doncc6080 Жыл бұрын

Good work Stacy you are more than capable!!! Your tank brush looks exactly the same as the one my uncle used back in the 50's & 60's. He had DeLaval also.

@vnthomas16 Жыл бұрын

A lot of the small scale equipment is still able to be ordered or salvaged from other older dairies. Thanks for your thoughts!

@richwhitaker1506 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for this video. Sounds like Spring is just around the corner when you're talking about drying the cows. Hope Stacey is enjoying his classes. Keep up your good work Virginia.

@vnthomas16 Жыл бұрын

Hey there! Yes, he is loving his classes. Is Spring coming...I'm not sure I can trust it. We are in January, but winter started in November. Both us and our cows are so confused. Thanks for your long time support!

@kopenhagenkid Жыл бұрын

Great video

@vnthomas16 Жыл бұрын

Thanks! Glad to share it and glad you liked it.

@denis2546 Жыл бұрын

bonjour virginie,je suis situé en france, c est tres beau votre ferme et vos vaches ,j aime beaucoup cette ferme laitiere a taille humaine, je vous souhaite une excellente journée🐮🐄🐄🐮

@janetdupree6353 Жыл бұрын

Good job. That is quite a bit of work to do all by yourself!

@vnthomas16 Жыл бұрын

Yes, but doable in the short term. Reminds me of being in the Coast Guard and having to push hard through some evolutions with long hours. Happy Stacy is home this weekend!

@alonalanski7119 Жыл бұрын

Amazing! you did all by yourself and even filmed the video. Virginia rocks!

@vnthomas16 Жыл бұрын

I know, filming does add time, but I wanted everyone to see what it was like, and it really helped pull be through the work and not feel alone. Thanks so much for commenting!

@laurelhoward5571 Жыл бұрын

HEY-(HAY!) GIRLIE!!! WE VIEWERS HAVE TOTAL FAITH IN YOU TO 'HOLD DOWN THE FORT'! YOUR 'COW-CLAN' NEVER HAD IT SO GOOD!!!!

@vnthomas16 Жыл бұрын

Thank you! Seeing this support roll in while I'm in the middle of chores really helps me stay focused and not feel alone. Really appreciate you!

@kerryverity963 Жыл бұрын

Virginia you’re amazing,great job!

@vnthomas16 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for your support and kind words! They matter!

@terencenelson4472 Жыл бұрын

Good work, Virginia.

@vnthomas16 Жыл бұрын

Thanks! The work is very rewarding, and I get a lot of cow therapy!

@denis2546 Жыл бұрын

j aime beaucoup cette ferme laitiere

@vnthomas16 Жыл бұрын

Je vous remercie! j'apprécie vraiment cela. Où es-tu situé?

@kennymusselman7407 Жыл бұрын

Great job well done 👍

@vnthomas16 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for comment and taking time to watch our video.

@larrydannatt7571 Жыл бұрын

Great Job

@vnthomas16 Жыл бұрын

Thanks and thanks for visiting our farm!

@lindsaycampbell1930 Жыл бұрын

It’s great when they just come right in for milking!

@vnthomas16 Жыл бұрын

Yes, and they know the order! Carnation will open the door and let herself in, so we have to keep it latched!

@azgarhosain5561 Жыл бұрын

I am for Bangladesh good dairy

@vnthomas16 Жыл бұрын

হ্যালো! দেখার জন্য ধন্যবাদ! Hello! Thanks for watching!

@leorademaker1837 Жыл бұрын

Je bent er maar druk mee in je eentje. Vroeger heb ik voor ik ging werken ook koeien gemolken eerst met de hand ( ik was 7 jaar) later met de machine Surge met singelband. Daar onze boerderij weg moest voor natuur gebied ben ik als tractor en farmmachine monteur verder gegaan. En nu pensioen ik werk nog een dag bij een boerderij voor onderhoud machines en een dag bij een bedrijf wat kunstgras speelveldjes aanlegt en speeltoestellen plaatst. Nieuwe dingen maken en uitproberen zodat de mensen sneller kunnen werken. Ze noemen mij ook wel Willie Wortel.

@vnthomas16 Жыл бұрын

Je klinkt alsof je het erg druk hebt. Ik ben blij dat ik geen koeien met de hand hoef te melken. Ik kijk er ook naar uit om dit voorjaar het melkleidingsysteem te installeren. Waar ben je gevestigd? Bedankt voor de reactie.

@karencary3312 Жыл бұрын

If anyone can do it, you can!!!

@Juno_Beach Жыл бұрын

Virginia Farms sounds like the name of a business

@vnthomas16 Жыл бұрын

Oh yeah! That would be a cool name. Or maybe for a different social media channel. Thanks!

@ahomeinpisgahontheroad4481 Жыл бұрын

Great video and sweet dreams!

@vnthomas16 Жыл бұрын

Awwww...thanks! I definitely slept well this week!

@azsinger49 Жыл бұрын

Super job Virginia. You mentioned non-milking cows. How many and will you be keeping them to deliver new calves? Or, will the go to the butcher?

@vnthomas16 Жыл бұрын

Hey there! Yes, we have three milking now and five not milking (4 heifers, and Buttercup) plus the three 7month heifers. Our plan is we have bred 8 with 6 confirmed and we also think Daisy is pregnant, so we will have 7 milking next year. We will breed the two new heifers (Lilac, Poppy) for 2024, and Rodeo has the noble life plan of feeding our family this fall.

@ajlewis9454 Жыл бұрын

Do you process the milk each day? You make it look so easy. 👍😁🙏

@vnthomas16 Жыл бұрын

Hi AJ! We process twice a week, milk on Sunday and cheese on Thursday. Making it look easy is the magic of video editing!

@kenlynch6332 Жыл бұрын

🚜 🚜 🚜🐄🐄🐄🐄 🚜 🚜🚜

@cedricgates9976 Жыл бұрын

l have found over the years that women are more than capable to work a small farm even for long periods, my wife can outwork 5 guys! definatly me lol

@vnthomas16 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the support! Women and men are strong sometimes in different ways, that's why I like working as a team with Stacy! I'm just happy I can carry the load while he works on his school!

@Danthehistoryman 4 ай бұрын

What kind of pulsation are you using?

@mattlundeen9358 Жыл бұрын

Looks like a pipeline is nearly installed!

@vnthomas16 Жыл бұрын

Yes, about 75% done! We will finish the install during the dry period and publish a video about it. Will be glad to have that with more cows this next season. Thanks!

@LacyO86 Жыл бұрын

Love that milk strainer for the bulk tank - what brand is it and/or where did you buy it? Mine doesn't have a solid piece at the bottom/opening part like yours.

@vnthomas16 Жыл бұрын

Hope your search is successful!

@LacyO86 Жыл бұрын

@@vnthomas16 I found a couple I snagged from a nice fella 💗 can't wait to receive them in the mail!

@pocketchange1951 Жыл бұрын

👍👌❤🇨🇦

@mitchellmagden8283 Жыл бұрын

How many times do you milk your cows

@vnthomas16 Жыл бұрын

We milk once a day in the morning. We love having the freedom to do other things off the farm if we need or want to in the afternoon.

@JM24mama Жыл бұрын

Whats your average milking time for each cow

@vnthomas16 Жыл бұрын

Average of five minutes. It depends on lots of variables but this is our average time.

@Jennifer- Жыл бұрын

Your lactating cow (carnation ?) body condition seems a bit thinner than I’m used to seeing. Is she older? Do you calculate amount of milk taken to calories consumed? I’m familiar with dairy cow body scoring 3.0-3.25 at dry off and calving, and 2.25-2.75 at peak lactation. It looked like Carnation was a 1. Only asking to understand, not pass judgement.

@vnthomas16 Жыл бұрын

Great question! Maybe a combination of lighting and or camera angle? Carnation is pretty good, Daisy is our thinnest cow. She’s probably 2 to 2.25. She likes to milk off her back. Her half-sister Buttercup is the same way. She’s literally just a few days from dryoff and a nice long dry period!

@colmanlong1032 Жыл бұрын

Loved the video, do you make any money from so few cows.also who is Stacy.

@vnthomas16 Жыл бұрын

Oh, this comment made me laugh so hard! Stacy is my husband of 20 years and we farm together. This video is the first I've published of me farming alone while he is at diesel mechanic school. We make money like anyone: keep debt low, have a budget, sell high quality products at a fair but high price, reduce inputs (harvest own hay), and have no or few employees. Thanks!

@mitchellmagden8283 Жыл бұрын

The arm is too short for the milk line you need to lower their that on arm the cows will milk out better

@vnthomas16 Жыл бұрын

Hmmm....well, the cows seem to milk out well. Thanks for the suggestion.