Chop. Chop.

Every year around Labor Day, this Jersey crew gets out our John Deere combines, tractors, wagons and head to the corn fields. This year we began chopping Labor Day weekend and finished the first day of October due to the cool and wet summer we endured.
I really do think the Jersey kids, both big and small look forward to this time each and every year. Don't get me wrong, it is a lot of work, I mean A LOT of work. We put up 4,000 ton of corn silage to feed our 350 head of milk cows. Our cows milk an average of 65 pounds a day, ranking in the top ten nationally for our herd size, so in ordered for them to produce a lot of milk, they have to eat a lot of good, quality feed. We feel proud to produce such great forages and feed for our cows, so they can reach their best potential.

The chopping process is the beginning of the fall harvest. We carefully go over all the machinery to make sure that it is in its best shape to endure the long hours. Next we set up our team of people to run the chopper, haul the wagons and fill the bags of corn silage. Next, we plan the meals for the hard workers, which is my favorite role. I always hear my own mother's voice echoing in my head to feed them with nutritious, filling meals. She says, "They work hard." That they do and I love feeding the hard workers that I love.


Of course, the tractor nor the men don't stop for this process, so whatever meal is fixed is carried out to the workers in the field and generally is wrapped in-between two buns! Today, we've made up two grilled cheeseburgers with the fixins', a piece of fruit and chocolate chip cookies with a cold drink for each worker. It looks like we are feeding a small army, but its the least we can do for all of their hard work.
The Jersey kids are grownin' up. They used to help this Jersey mama fix the meals, but now they ride in the tractors and choppers and the oldest is told to be the next foreman on the project, as he directs the new guy to which field to go to, where the bag is and letting them know when the wagons are full.
The grown men love the Jersey kids and my hubby adores when they ride with him. The kids are full of enthusiasm, ask a lot of questions and get the same satisfaction as do the grown kids from the hard work of making feed for our Jersey cows.

When we call it at night, lets just say everyone sleeps well, after clockin' way too many hours to report. Before my oldest, Tyler says goodnight, he lifts his head and begs to help out again tomorrow. This warms the Jerseys mama's heart.