Cecelia W. Wright made a declaration early this spring.  She said, “If I run out of my boot I’m leaving.” 

We were chasing heifers in a wet muddy corral.  She had ran into a soft spot and her boots were stuck in the wet manure.  I assumed she meant she was leaving the corral and going home but with my recent faux paus on the anniversary gift she might have meant this was the last straw and that leaving meant really leaving.  Vacating the premises.  Cooking for myself.  Learning how the washing machine works.  It occurred to me it might be wise to run over and offer a hand while her boots were still on. 

A good question is why I am having this grandmother of five helping me sort heifers in an open corral in the first place.  I have employees who are faster, stronger, and don’t mind getting dirty.  But the truth is I would rather have my wife of 43 years help me.  She doesn’t run much but she knows where to stand.  She knows where and when to move by what I’m doing and the look on my face.  She also knows what “gdsmkrtfpthtr!!!!” means and if she should respond to it or just ignore it.  She tends to ignore it.  Sometimes teamwork is more important than athletic ability.  I would rather have her help me because it just goes better. 

But this isn’t just about Mrs. Wright, it’s about everyone that didn’t really sign up to chase cows. They didn’t dream about holding dirty tails, helping with tough calvings, or cleaning milk houses.  It’s for everyone who never considered a dairy life but because of the person they married they have to stumble over dairy boots to get in the back door.  Laundry has to be separated so the good clothes don’t carry the dairy with them.  They also had to learn a variety of dairy jobs out of necessity.   

The amazing part is how good they are at doing these jobs.  Jobs that are important but don’t receive recognition.  Jobs that may seem menial but if they don’t get done or are done poorly are huge. Jobs that make the dairy function better and the family live better.  These people are all-stars. 

Now if you think I’m going to include a picture of Mrs. Wright in her cow chasing clothes then you don’t know Cecelia W. Wright.   

And if you think I’m going to close this with gushy, love, life partner stuff then you don’t know John W. Wright. 

However, I will say this about Cecelia W. Wright.  She is a good cow chaser. 

- John W. Wright of Wright, Inc. Dairy in Wendell

When do you know you are really a bona fide dairyman? Is it when you milk the first cow? When you buy the first cow? The tenth? The 100th? Or could there be other criteria?

Here are some suggestions. You know you’re a Dairyman if:

I live on a schedule.  Cows need to be milked twice a day and fed two times each day at least.  We need to breed them two months after they calve, dry them up two months before they calve.  Calves need to be weaned at two months then bred at 14 or 15 months so they calve at 24 months.  This is the way it works on a dairy.  We all know that.  The closer we adhere to the schedule the better everything will be.

There is a problem. The world does not run on a schedule and whenever there is a conflict the world always wins. Over the years my precious schedule has been destroyed by breakdowns, cows out, power outages, dumb things cows do and dumb things people do.  Then there were baseball games, Christmas programs and graduations to go to. Then there were family situations to deal with, relatives, and blasted funerals to go to. 

GEEEZ!

How can you be successful if you can’t keep the schedule?

So I struggled to keep the dairy on track.  The usual things, go late to baseball games, skip weddings and complain a lot.  I was successful and learned what it means to win the battle and lose the war.

A friend told me I needed to remember to breathe.   What?  I didn’t have time to breathe.  I could do that later when there would be time. For forty years I’ve been waiting for that extra time.

Dr. Tony Campolo, a sociologist, author, speaker, from Eastern College in Pennsylvania, cites a research project in his lectures that asked questions to a group of nonagenarians about life.  These people, 90 years of age and older, were asked what they would do differently if they could live their life over again.  One of the more common answers was that they would reflect more.  Meaning they would pause more, look around, reevaluate, and remember what really matters at the end of the day.  In other words they would breathe more.  I wonder how many of them won the battle of the schedule but felt like they lost in the end.

Cows do better if they do the same thing every day.  It has been proven over and over again. But I wonder if I would have done better had I have followed my friend’s advice or at least scheduled moments for breathing.  Maybe I should have breathed more and saved myself the consternation, frustration, and a half dozen sorting sticks that splintered far too easily. 

Now, there are fewer baseball games to go to. There are fewer Christmas programs and graduations.  Other people deal with situations and all those things that I thought were keeping me from my duties.  Still, I have to remember to stop and breathe otherwise I’ll miss all the important stuff that has yet to come.  

Breathing.  I should have started that a long time ago. 

-          John W. Wright of Wright, Inc. Dairy in Wendell

Sure, ninety percent of my income is from the sale of milk, but after I get it out of the cow, I just have to make sure it’s cold and clean.  I just play defense when it comes to milk.  I spend my time worrying about the four-legged animal that gave me the milk.

Some folks think that there isn’t much to worry about with a cow.  They seem to think a 1,500-pound bovine creature is just a big pet that can be taught to poop in a box with sand in it and everyone should have one.  I don’t think these people realize how much time I spend thinking about, talking about and just being with cows.

I spend a morning each week with the cow nutritionist at a local coffee shop discussing ruminant nutrition.  It’s a fascinating conversation about rumen bugs, butyric acid, starch and digestible fiber that never fails to astound me.  For reasons I don’t understand no one ever wants to join us.  If someone does then as soon as we start delving into our fecal sample discussion they leave.  I notice other diners also tend to start vacating their tables.

We have to have this discussion on what these cows eat so they are healthy and produce milk efficiently to make my dairy a profitable enterprise.  We talk about the proper amount of protein, carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorus and even the right levels of molybdenum.  I worry more about what the cows eat than I ever did what my kids ate.  We talk about minerals like molybdenum. I never knew if my kids ate enough molybdenum.  I don’t even know if kids are supposed to eat molybdenum.  If my kid’s minerals were out of whack maybe it would explain some teenage behavior.  All I know is if my wife was taking a night off and  I was left with the responsibility of feeding my kids I took them to McDonald’s and got them a Happy Meal not because I read the nutrition disclosure that McDonald’s provides but because it was easy and there was a toy that came with it.  That’s not the way it is when it comes to the cows, they are going to get a proper diet.  They are not going to get the Holstein equivalent of a drive-thru supersize meal I don’t care what this month’s transformer toy is.    

My vet comes once a week to preg check cows.  Does anyone outside of dairyland know that? Each cow on our farm can expect at least three such checks each lactation.  I have two veterinarians, one is tall and thin while the other is built like sumo wrestler.  They walk behind the cow and rectally palpate the cow while I write down all their profound statements.  Now I have no way of knowing, since I refuse to believe I can communicate with cows, but I think they prefer the veterinarian with the long skinny arms as opposed to the one with the short fat arms.  Just saying, three times they get palpated.  If we took a vote I think skinny arms wins.  Makes me glad I’m just the guy with the clipboard standing in front of the cow.

Getting cows bred takes a lot of effort.  The breeder comes every morning around 6:30.  He comes at this time because this is just after the morning feeding and I have the cows locked up in lock-up stanchions.  The breeder, Mike, walks behind the cows putting orange chalk on their tails so when they ride each other the chalk will be worn off and he will know to breed them.  He also puts orange chalk on the herd book, barn door and anything else he touches.  I’m not always the most cheerful fellow at this time so sometimes he brings me donuts to try to make me less grumpy.  They have orange smudges on them.

Many people decry the use of artificial insemination because I’m depriving the animal of a natural act.  They would rather have me put bulls in the pen and use natural service.  If these folks ever had to sprint out of a corral and vault a stanchion line, or, worse yet tried to squeeze between stanchions while feeling the rank hot breath of a deranged bull named “Caligula” they too in a deep solemn voice would say, “Oh yes, artificial insemination is the best.”  Not only do you live longer but you get better genetics in the next generation.  Still, not everyone agrees with me on this issue.  They prefer bulls.  But these are the same crazy people who BASE Jump or marry The Bachelorette.

It’s all about a cow.  The first thing I do in the morning is check the close-up pen to see if anybody calved or needs help calving.  That’s Dairy 101: Thou shalt check the close-up cows first thing in the morning and last thing at night.  Every young dairyman is told that.   You do this because that’s the most critical time in the lactation of a cow.   You also check throughout the day because you never know when calves come and what trouble there might be.  I have known some dairymen who almost lived in their close-up pen but I think this could have been more a marital situation rather than an animal husbandry issue.

So I spend each day managing, talking about, and thinking about a ruminant animal.  How to get her bred, how to get her to eat one more pound, and how to keep her comfortable.  If I’m successful maybe I can get a few more pounds of milk in the tank to sell or cut a few cents off costs. 

People who visit dairies tell me how impressed they are by the big nice barns and all the automation.  They see big tractors and feed equipment they didn’t know existed.  I agree with them because there are dairies that are very impressive. But all the impressive stuff is there for a reason and that is to take care of cows.  Because at the end of the day - it’s all about a cow.

-          John W. Wright of Wright, Inc. Dairy in Wendell

HAPPY NEW YEAR!  If you’re like most people you are probably thinking about improving your health.  Starting an exercise program can seem daunting to someone with an already packed schedule.  But, we have good news!  Research shows getting fit doesn't require that much time.    

·         Increments of 10 minutes throughout the day can be just as effective for weight loss and health as an hour-long workout.  We all have 10 minutes!

·         Many people find it easier to stick with shorter workouts.  Make it part of your lifestyle! 

·         Short bouts of exercise can also help lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease.   

Planning an exercise routine that is short and fun does not have to cost a lot of money.  We have a free download for you that you can complete in just 7 minutes.   The 7-minute workout is easy to do at work or at home and only requires a wall, a chair and your own body weight.

Click here to download your free workout.  It’s great for kids and classrooms as well!  Get a free demo of all the exercises here.

Remember, chocolate milk is a delicious way to fuel your body for any workout!  Be sure and visit www.idahodairy.com for more resources!  As always, resources are free for all Idaho educators and health professionals!  Dairy West wishes you and your family a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

- April Bruns, Health and Wellness Manager

I wish the communications from the President of the greatest country in the world were called something other than “tweets”.

I wish for more patience.

I wish cow #4187 would have more patience.

I wish people would get their nutrition information from food scientists, dietitians, and people who have degrees in the subject instead of Kim Kardashian.

I wish people wouldn’t look so disappointed when I tell them my cows are just black and white.

I wish for a dairy lagoon proof iPhone.

I wish the girl at the Verizon store wouldn’t make me stand outside when I want my non-dairy lagoon proof iPhone replaced.

I wish they would use the same technology that make tires last 50,000 miles for my rubber boots that last only a month.

I wish I could say to my wife, “Hurry, close the gate.” in a calm clear voice without the loud extra words that get me in trouble.

I wish a quick 15-minute job did not take an hour and a half.

I wish we could all agree what the phrase “I’ll be there tomorrow at 11:00” means.

I wish for lots of baseballs and baseball gloves for kids and their dads.

I wish that this Christmas, people hear a story of hope that overcomes all the evil and hate we see and hear about in the world.

Amen

-          John W. Wright of Wright, Inc. Dairy in Wendell

The staff at Dairy West loves cheese – it’s a great way to fuel up while keeping pace with the holiday hustle and bustle. Here are our top three reasons we love cheese and you should too!

1.      Cheese is a powerful nutrient package.  One serving of cheese provides many of the nutrients your body needs such as calcium and phosphorus for strong bones, protein for building muscle tissue, vitamin B12 for a healthy nervous system and niacin which helps our body use energy from the foods we eat! 

2.      Cheese partners well with other foods to create a well-balanced and quick meal.  Craving pizza? Try this Pepperoni & Cheese Flatbread with 13 grams of protein. It only takes 15 minutes and a healthy dinner is ready! 

3.      Cheese is a great option for those that live with lactose intolerance.  Natural cheeses like cheddar, colby jack, mozzarella, Swiss and parmesan are good choices because they contain minimal lactose, making them easy to digest. 

Have you ever wondered how long cheese lasts in your fridge?  Check out this Ask the Dietitian video and find out the shelf life of your favorite cheese. 

Stock up on all your favorite cheeses this holiday season and be sure you submit your nutrition questions at:  www.idahodairy.com     

When hurricanes strikes or a mad gun man kills innocent people we want to help.  We see pictures of people suffering, people lost with looks of despair and we want to do something about it.  Anyone who claims to have a heart, a soul, a feeling of human brotherhood wants to alleviate the suffering or at least put these people on the road to recovery so the world can return to what we call normal and continue with the pursuit of happiness instead of digging out from the mess of an insane situation.

I want to help.  But I don’t have the skills of those people who respond to these tragedies.  Those people can offer medical aid, resolve food and shelter problems, counsel and help folks work through their grief.  The truth?  I’m not skilled in any of those things desperately needed during those times.  I don’t think they need someone like me at ground zero telling people what they need to do or spouting off slogans I once saw on a t-shirt.

There are ways I could help.  Donating resources is the easiest.  Relief efforts don’t last long without some kind of financial backing to bring supplies and people to any relief effort.  Many times it is food and clothing that’s asked for making helping even easier.

Perhaps I could pray, maybe more than once with thought and feeling behind it.  It may not be popular with a few enlightened sophisticates but it can’t be too harmful to ask for the help of a higher power to have mercy on suffering that is well beyond my understanding.

I have to admit that making donations and praying doesn’t give me the same full satisfaction that I think a hands on experience would.  But then what is the objective here?  1) To help someone going through the throes of Hell?  or 2) Is it to improve my feeling of self-worth?  That’s a pretty easy choice.

Maybe the first thing I need to do is check in with reality.

After any horrible event people will start to recover and rebuild their lives. While the rescuers are out doing their job there needs to be people making sure there is an infrastructure still in place.  Part of the infrastructure is food and people are going to need food.  Milk, cheese, and butter are going to be needed not as indulgences or treats but because they supply important dietary needs.  I can supply some of that milk just by doing my job.

I may not be able to comfort the woman crying in the picture.  I may not be there to comfort the people who have lost so much.  But I can help by doing what doing what I do as well as I can and by looking for groups that I think can benefit these people as they work through their grief and pain.  Groups like “Feeding America”, a nationwide network of food banks. These are the best things I can do.

 I just milk cows but I can do a lot to help those going through the worse times of their lives.

-          John W. Wright of Wright, Inc. Dairy in Wendell

Did you know that Boise was the site for the Dairy for Global Nutrition International Conference earlier this month? We are proud to be a part of the initiative designed to advance the science of dairy and document its benefits for the world’s most vulnerable populations.

National Nutrition Month reminds us to find activities that you enjoy and be physically active most days of the week. What are your favorite ways to stay active?

Feeling the need for a tropical vacation? Try this coconut yogurt smoothie recipe and let your worries drift away in the island breeze.

Decoding the dairy case at a local grocery store with Idaho Dairy Council Health and Wellness Manager Jaclyn St. John.

What if you could be fitter in just a few minutes a day? Try the 7-Minute Workout. #MilkVictory #IdahoDairy

Are you looking to stay fit through the winter months this year? When the weather gets cold, we tend to hibernate inside and can be drawn to high calorie comfort foods. However, following these simple tips can help you stick to your fitness goals this Holiday season!

• Don’t skip meals. Many believe that they can splurge at the holiday party if they skip lunch and a snack, but this may actually lead to overeating! Eat normal, healthy meals throughout the day and enjoy a treat or two at parties and gatherings.
• Eat plenty of protein. Protein, which is found in nutrient rich dairy products, can actually help you feel more satisfied between meals. Try snacking on yogurt or cheese, or starting your day off with a big glass of milk.
• Be mindful while you are eating. While you are eating, take the time to enjoy your food! Eat slowly and try to really experience the flavor in each bite!
• Don’t hibernate, get active! When it gets cold outside, we tend to halt our usual exercise routines due to the weather. Invest in some good outdoor active wear, find some at-home workouts, or try a new gym class during these months instead. And don’t forget to refuel your muscles with nutritious, delicious chocolate milk after your workout!

Jaclyn, our registered dietitian and video blogger, enjoys a nutritious lunch at Heritage Middle School to celebrate National School Lunch Week!

Show us what your healthy lunch looks like. Share a pic using #NSLW16 #LunchWeek and #IdahoDairy

To celebrate National Pizza month, we invited two Idaho dairy farmers and their families to deliver pizzas with a Holstein heifer named “Bossy” to unsuspecting Boise area residents. The guerrilla-marketing effort with Smoky Mountain Pizzeria Grill to celebrate National Pizza Month (October).

Kuna dairy farmer John Wind of Liberty Ranch and Meridian dairy farmer Clint Jackson of Jackson Family Farm in Meridian and their families delivered free Smoky Mountain pizzas which uses Idaho cheese on their menu.

“Pizza has a huge impact on the Gem State economy,” United Dairymen of Idaho CEO Karianne Fallow says, “so we thought it would be fun to connect a few locals with their food — in this case fresh mozzarella cheese!”

According to Fallow, Idaho is the third-largest dairy-producing state in the U.S. and dairy products are its leading agriculture commodity. Meanwhile, she says one in eight Americans eats pizza on any given day and per capita consumption of mozzarella has leaped to 11-1/2 pounds a year — nearly 40 percent of the cheese we chow down annually.

When life gets too busy and you are being pulled in every other direction, April 12th comes around. April 12th is a day of healing, a day of hope. It is National Grilled Cheese Day. April 12th is a day to take time out of our busy lives and focus on the important things, like gooey cheese and crispy, crunchy bread. It is a day to remember the truly good things, like a perfect Swiss or creamy Gouda. It can be as simple as white loaf bread with whatever cheese is in your fridge or a grandiose masterpiece of artisanal crafted perfection. Whether you love a classic cheddar or wild Havarti, pepper jack, halloumi mix, you are accepted. You are welcomed. Wherever you are, whoever you may be; this day is for you. This day is for the timeless treasure that is grilled cheese. Happy #NationalGrilledCheeseDay

A happy life in 1 simple step:

Eat Grilled Cheese. A lot.”