Staying up to date, and informed on the latest agriculture news is very important. At anytime, things could change in the industry. Another thing that is important in the industry is commodity/market prices. 

What app do you use to stay informed with the latest agriculture news
and
commodity/market prices?

I know my papa gets a text everyday with the changes in the market 
and doesn't miss the news at night, but rarely do they show what's going on in the
​agriculture industry.

I personally use the app AgWeb, which provides and notifies me with:
 Commodity Prices, Agriculture News, Crop Comments 
and even
Podcasts, and Policy

Got up bright and early this morning to take this picture after feeding the sheep! 
I found a smaller one to take a picture of to make it a little more challenging. 
Starting week #3 of Weeds of the Week 
Weed #1 of this Week
Can you name this Weed?

STAY TUNED TUESDAY for how to identify the differences between the two for easier identification. 

Today's view from the combine with papa today!
Featuring our favorite two year old, Parker!

Watching his eyes light up as we got in the combine and took off was the best part of my day!

He was very curious on what buttons did what and watching papa's every move.

"Cat what does that yellow button do?" and then we showed him when we dumped 

He made sure to tell us that the grain tank was full, as soon as the grain tank window was covered! We of course told him we still had more to cut before it was full, and then told him the combine would let us know when the tank was full with a  "beep", or we could look out the window into the side mirrors and see that way on the top! Of course the "beep" was more fun!

He now, knows what the auger is on the combine and when you ask him what it does, he says
" it rains beans" and I couldn't have said it better myself at two!

We rode, until lunch, went and grabbed food and drinks for us and the boys and then someone wanted to continue riding, so we did!:)

Happy Saturday! 

The sheep are loving these cool mornings, they have been up grazing since 5.

Diva wanted the spot light this morning and all the morning lovings..sooo..

WHY did I name her DIVA?
Shew, I mean attitude since day one, she really likes to stomp her hoof.
Anytime she see's something she doesn't like or when she isn't getting attention while I am with the the other sheep. 

She is expecting, in November! I am very excited
Boy or Girl? One or more?

I think she is only going to have one, being a first time mom, but she could surprise us! We will see soon! November is approaching quickly! 

​How often do you calibrate your sprayer?
How often do you check your boom?
How often do you check your nozzles?
How often do you check the screen?
​At what height do you run your boom?
How often do you switch out nozzles?
How often do you clean your tank out?
How often do you check the pump?
How often do you check the tank?
​Do you take weather data when you spray?
What do you do with your old chemical jugs?
Do you wear gloves when handling the chemicals?

When spraying time comes around, sometimes things forget to be checked. We all know that when the spray conditions are right it is so important to get into the field as fast as you can. Because of Kentucky weather, we are limited to application timing especially on targeted weeds (referring to size of weeds when they are the easiest to manage) with herbicides, or when we are applying fungicide on a crop, at a certain stage.  The Kentucky weather I am referring to the most is Rain and Wind, that keep us out of the field more than anything. 

This is a sneak peak, about the next blog coming soon, and the questions will be answered and explained on why those things are IMPORTANT!

One is WATERHEMP, One is PALMER AMARANTH!
Stayed tuned, to get answers Sunday and how to identify the differences between the two for easier identification Tuesday!
It defiantly can be tricky!

So recently as you know there was an accusation against beef producers and meat producers in general by Ellen Degeneres who has "urged people to reduce their meat consumption" followed by the hashtag #EatLessMeat, #BeNeatEatLessMeat 

She said things like:
"They are all in pain, they are all treated badly, they are all diseased and they are all pumped with antibiotics. These are just a few things that stood out to me. 

I know, everyone deserves an opinion, but it is crucial that people know, that isn't true for most of the industry. Yes, I cannot speak for the industry as a whole because there are always negative things that happen in any situation.

AS FOR THE "THEY ARE ALL TREATED BADLY"

• I do not agree with animal abuse at all, whether it be a cat, dog or any livestock. 
• If you cannot financially take care of yourself you defiantly do not need an animal to take care of. 
• How do you know they are all "treated badly"
• Is it because you read something one thing on the  internet, have you stepped on a farm and saw animals mistreated?​

I can tell you that anyone I know that has livestock, the livestock is their pride and joy! 

For instance, lets take the beef market right now, it is down, but guess what beef producers are still doing? Why haven't they just gotten rid of their cattle? Why are they putting more money into them, knowing they aren't getting that in return eventually?

I'll tell you WHY
Because they sincerely love their livestock

AS FOR "THEY ARE ALL PUMPED WITH ANTIBIOTICS and ALL DISEASED"

C'MON Really?

I can speak from personal experience, everything we give our cattle is to protect them from diseases,
We vaccinate for the Bovine Disease, TO PREVENT AND PROTECT OUR CATTLE from getting that. 
We vaccinate for Pink EYE, TO PREVENT AND PROTECT OUR CATTLE.
We put fly tags and pour on to PREVENT AND PROTECT OUR CATTLE 

As for when the cows are sick, or we notice something wrong, we DO give them antibiotics to help them feel better, for instance if a calf gets born on a cold wet rainy morning, and has phenomena we give him a shot to make him feel back to his perky self. 

I have personally many times, sat with a calf, and dried it off with a heater in front of it trying to warm. 
I have personally many times helped a momma cow in need and helped her calving.

LET ME ASK YOU
1. When you are sick? Don't you want an antibiotic?
2. When your dog or cat or whatever you may have if you do.. gets sick? Do you take that animal to the vet?" 
It is the same as our livestock, when they get sick it is our duty to help them. 

​If you are worried about the antibiotics being in your meat DON"T, THE USDA inspects that, and makes sure the antibiotic is out of the system before being used for consumption. 

So many people are trying so hard to take the agriculture industry down, but let me tell you..
THOSE OF US IN THE AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY ARE STRONG, and WE WILL STAND UP 

These accusations are why we need to stand up and ADVOCATE AG. 

I am proud to say I am an AG ADVOCATE, and I RAISE LIVESTOCK, and I EAT MEAT

Honestly it has took me since the story came out to process my thoughts in a well organized matter, because at first, I went to make a blog and was extremely angry. My rant was just a short one, but one of my purposes for this blog was to stay connected to things happening in the industry. 

But this one is for you Ellen, I know you never probably will see this, but in every situation there are positive and negative things that go on in or behind the scenes! YES I SAID EVERY SITUATION!

People are so quick to talk negative about the Agriculture industry and it is time to put a stop to that. 

Farmers, Ranchers, everyone in Agriculture, spend countless hours, on the farm, not only doing what they love but they do more than that. They have good days and bad days, its all on faith, you never know what the market could do at any time, but they do it because they love what they do! 

Speaking from my personal experience with my livestock, I honestly consider them kids, family or friends. Yes, I know they are animals, but some things I do for them I'm not sure I would even do for my closest friends. Like going out on those cold mornings and cracking the creek, not feeling my hands or my feet, or getting up in the morning to feed everyday,
(man, if only you could see how excited all the livestock get when they hear the ranger start up or hear the buckets clicking together), or lets get really detailed and talk about pulling a calf, yes I love it but sometimes the cow may poop on you, in the process, but guess what IF YOU LOVE WHAT YOU DO YOU WILL NOT CARE!

My point is, those of us in agriculture do not appreciate these misleading conceptions, and want to advocate to show those who don't know what a day in the farm is like, I honestly do not think that many could handle it, it's hardwork and dedication and most of all needs your support, this is our way of life, we will be the ones feeding you in 2050 and beyond, if you want to eat "vegan" go for it no judgement but we still grow vegetables, and grains, and many things you consume or use on a daily basis, so instead of bashing just be thankful. 

Now while you continue to not eat meat, that's fine that your preference,
​That just means more for me and my other fellow lovers.

#EATMOREMEAT 

A Saturday off calls for quality time with papa..

The combine buddy seat and drivers seat switched people!
Went from sitting in his lap, to buddy seat, to finally driving myself

So thankful for all the memories and the best teacher..

This week was National Farm Safety and Health Week
September 15-21

Now many of you know how important safety is on the farm or anywhere for that matter.

But here are just a few things to remember

• if you see farm equipment moving, please slow down, do not ride right up behind the machinery, they cannot see you.
• you should always have a fire extinguisher with you on the equipment.

( with as dry and hot as it has been and harvest time, things happen just be prepared)
(Lively H already had an experience with the extinguishers this week, thankfully the machinery was fixable and caught in time and no one was hurt

• stay hydrated, the equipment is no good without a healthy operator.take care of yourself.


• When working on the equipment make sure it is turned off

I could go on and on about farm safety and what to do, but I am going to only hit those few points
Your health is vital as a farmer especially in the heat, and long hour, stay hydrated (get that cooler full of drinks and snacks in the buddy seat) and continue to be safe and cautious and careful.

Now... Today's theme I read for farm safety week is "Safety and Health for Women in Agriculture"

This was last year, after riding in the combine with papa, he was having a ruff day, combines weren't running right, broke down, just one of those days....

So all we had left to do, was unload and tarp the trucks..but papa had to run to the shop

Of course I wanted to help, and try and get as much as I could done before papa got back.

Well as I was unrolling the tarp over the truck I went to roll up and tighten the tarp and put in holder...

And BOOM. Nailed it, well my face... (I can laugh about it now)
Photo below: about an hour after it happened
Got an XRAY-all good
Just a nice bruise a couple days later and a face lift hah!

Papa pulled up just at the right time to watch what happened, check on me and tell me next time I had to hold it tight and put in in holder, and not let go before.. but hey I'm stubborn, thought I had everything under control and just wanted to help and get it done


Moral of the story
Farm safety laugh, my stubbornness and just to show you sometimes we get in a rush and do not think about the safety of ourselves all we think about is getting something done in a timely manner or getting it fixed. BUT we have to consider, safety.

Now obviously I learned from this experience, and now I'm back tarping trucks like a pro

Can you name this herbicide injury on soybeans?

Stay tuned for next blog post on 

• how to avoid this injury in soybeans
• resistant varieties 
• proper herbicide application with this product in order to prevent injuries on neighboring farms that have planted non-resistant soybeans and could potentially be injured if you spray this herbicide. 

This week and the following weeks, I will be posting a couple of common weeds a week. 
Basically a game! 

First, Can you name this weed starts tomorrow!

Each Sunday of the week, I will repost the phots with the answers. 

Goals I want you to take away from this:
For you to be more familiar with common weeds in your fields, yards and pastures of course.

If you have a weed you are unsure of what it is, message me! Always here to help and believe me there will be some I will not know but I will figure out for you. 

After we play a few weeks of this we will go into more detail about each weeds, like what herbicide to use on it, and more..

Soybean harvest has officially started at Lively H Farms.
Such a beautiful view, that I will be sitting back enjoying for the days, and weeks to come.
Catch me after work and on the weekends riding along, escorting, food runs,
 anything and everything that I can do to help, maybe even harvesting some beans myself;) 
The saying "Farm Live equals Happy Life"  ​couldn't be more TRUE

Already planning for next years garden adventures

My goal for next years garden is to grow different vegetables and fruit.
This years adventure was GEM SQUASH, and I could not be any more pleased with how well the garden went.
Of course I will be growing all the normal garden finds like:
Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Kale and more..

Some things I have found so far that I would like to try and grow are:
Acorn Squash, Ghost Peppers, French Beans, Okra and more..

For all my findings and seeds, I get from
Park Seed- https://parkseed.com
and of course locally 

The pumpkins growing, have me thinking about fall.
What is your favorite thing about fall?

MINE ARE:
​harvest time(starting soon), pumpkins, the decor, and this year I get to look forward to fall lambing 

My love and passion for agriculture started, through my papa and his farm and here is how his journey started... 

Henry, my grandfather better known as papa started farming in Africa around 1971 with his father at age 21.
​In 1974, his father passed away, and papa was left to take over his fathers 17,000-acre ranch just about an hour away from where they lived.
This ranch included 400-acres of cotton, 750 head of cow, 1,000 acres of rotational crops such as corn, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans.
Papa farmed there until 1982. Due to living conditions and environment conditions not being safe they had no choice but to leave for the better.
​In 1983, my papa and granny moved to America with my mother and uncle. When coming into the states, papa was able to work at a local dairy operation around Shelbyville, Kentucky and a small mechanics shop. Later then, moved to Lebanon, Kentucky where he got the opportunity to share crop farm (soybeans and corn) with another local farmer for 2 years in 1985.
In 1987, fortunately were able to come to Princeton, Kentucky and stay and still is a place they call home. During this year papa was  able to find a job at Cook Brothers Farms for 12 years which was a great opportunity and we are so thankful for the friendships made there.
Around 1999, papa got a job at John Deere and was a shop forman and was able to farm some of his own on the side. After leaving John Deere, fortunately  he was able to rent some ground and start Lively H Farms journey and his own mechanic shop up which was called HBRepairs. As time went on, papa was able to slowly get bigger and was able to rent more ground from people in our community as well as purchase land. As he got more ground he had to close HBRepairs to focus more on his crops and farm.
Thankfully Princeton, has been a wonderful community to live in that is in fact a very agricultural driven community. A special thank you to all, who helped papa get to where he is today, and thankfully Lively H is still growing to this day.
I am very thankful for all those who have helped our family farm and by far thankful for my grandad, he started out with basically nothing coming into a country he knew really nothing about, and has driven himself to become the farmer he is today. I strive to be as willing to learn and practice as he has. Putting  agriculture and his family first to help feed the world. Very thankful for our small town and agricultural community.
​
So proud of where my papa is today and to be his granddaughter.