In 'N Out

In 'n out, not to be confused with the super-duper hamburger chain, nor with hospital charting for liquid input and output.  This is about goats.

The girls are each given exactly the same amount of grain and alfalfa every day.  The milkers give approximately the same amount of milk every day.  Except when it rains.  On sunny days, the girls spend a good deal of time grazing their pens, be it green grass or dry weeds.  On rainy days, they huddle together under shelter.  One would think that the grazing would simply be supplemental, but it evidently has an impact on their systems.  The day after a steady rainfall, there is a marked reduction in milk production, as much as a quart all together.  I can count on it.  Once the sun comes out again, it might take a day or two to come back to full speed.  Who knew?  This is just one of the aspects of farm life I find interesting.

The blackbirds are back in force, lining up on power lines and filling the air with their constant chatter.  They descend in hordes to pick through the fields and fight their way to the birdseed.  Where do they come from?  Where do they go?

Life is full of ups and downs.  Here at Farview, it's mainly sunups and sundowns.  This was the view behind the computer monitor this morning.  I'll take the ups where I find them.

It's going to be a good day.