Welcome Flowers to the Tag Line

Posted on by mlball2014

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I am very excited to announce that Picking Wild Flowers has a fresh new look. I have made a few changes to the design and mission of my blog. Picking Wild Flowers will now mainly focus on Farm and Flowers. There are few people around me who know of my love for flowers. I hope to bring the title Picking Wild Flowers to life by sharing my arrangements and horticulture knowledge through this online platform.

My goal is to work hands on and to bring joy to those around me. The floral industry is becoming very integrated. One top retailer owns majority of the market, but why not change the market with unique, local, and innovative arrangements?

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I came to Iowa State wanting to pursue an Animal Science focus, but luckily God had a different plan for me. All of the animal science classes were continuously full and as much as I love livestock; I will be forever grateful for my first opportunity with horticulture. I have grown to love designing and creating floral arrangements. Here are a few of the fall arrangements I created last fall. I am anticipating the time this year when I can snuggle in my warm apartment with a cup of coffee and a whole list of possibilities in front of me.

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I hope you enjoy the new direction my blog is heading. I am very excited to post future bouquets. Join me on this journey and see Picking Wild Flowers evolve.

 

Why do Farmers Precondition?

Posted on by mlball2014

14225621_10209542843121644_7296698390012844330_nFirst and foremost, I would like to give a shout out to my mom! Happy Happy Birthday!! This weekend was full of fun and laughter. I truly feel blessed to have such amazing people around me.

Part of the crazy exciting weekend was spent down on the farm! I was feeling very cattle deprived so spending a morning getting dirty couldn’t have gone any better!

On Saturday we took our weaned calves to the veterinarians office to be preconditioned.

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The definition of precondition is “the preparation of 4 to 8 months old, recently weaned beef calves for entry into a feedlot. Includes castration, dehorning and all vaccinations before sale or entry to the feedlot.” 

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The morning began at 6:30 am. We rounded up all of the cows and calves to be sorted. Once the calves were weaned (separated and switched to grain and/or grass diet) we let the cows out to a new pasture and hauled the calves to the vet’s office.

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Jessica (our vet) began vaccinating and pouring (prevention of lice and grub) the calves while we kept track of records, directed calves into the chute, and assisted with gates. Proof of vaccinations are determined by a green tag in the calves ear. Green tags require vaccinations for 7 different diseases but only 2 shots are given. 1 of the 2 vaccinations cover 7 other diseases. It is important to prevent cattle from getting sick and stressed before they enter the feedlot system.

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Green tags also require calves to be castrated and dehorned.

Castrated: turning a bull into a steer (a non-reproductive male) is a mandatory action due to the high levels of testosterone in bulls. Steers are less likely to be aggressive towards humans and towards one another. Dehorning is the process of removing horns from the calf’s head. Removing horns helps by once again decreasing the risk for humans but predominantly by protecting the calves from hurting one another.

We choose to band (similar to castrating but a rubber band is used to cut off circulation) at birth. Every farm is different but we find it to have less risk of infection, less stress, and faster healing rates.

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After all of the calves were preconditioned- we made the trek back home and made the calves comfortable in their new pen. We will feed the weaned calves for a little over a month before selling.

We are hoping to sell a few of the calves for showing. If you are interested please message me! All of the calves are bred from a Simmental bull.

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Farmers precondition calves to protect the health of the calves and humans.

For more information on Green Tags:

http://digitalmag.iacattlemen.org/article/Green+and+Gold+Tag+Programs/2236822/268128/article.html

Don’t Worry! Be Happy!

Posted on by mlball2014

mbjblHappy Friday Picking Wild Flowers! This week I began the daunting but exciting task of looking for a job. I hope to find a career that allows me to express my passion for agriculture through writing and hands on work.

Worry started to seep into my thoughts and the more I tried to push it away, the more it continued to grow . Before I knew it I had a huge weight on my shoulders. This is when I decided to turn to God.

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I began a study on my bible app called Worry-Finding Peace. The study focuses on the what and why behind worry.

“Ultimately, worry comes down to two things: fear and a lack of trust.”

“God wants us to face the future with confidence.”

Proverbs 3 states: Trust on the Lord with all your heart and don’t rely on your own intelligence.

God has provided for me up to date so I am going to trust God with this next huge chapter of my life. He has a plan for me and I need to learn to trust more.

I am letting my worry go by praying to God and focusing on the small things that bring me joy! We have many blessings in life and right now I am very thankful for Fall.

It is FALL!!!!! EEEEKKK

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“Hoodies, Hot cocoa, boots, jeans, cuddling, crisp air, flushed cheeks. I live for Autumn!” Who else is excited to consume all things pumpkin???

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I am very excited to announce that there may be a few changes occurring on my blog, Picking Wild Flowers, in the coming weeks. As I mentioned above; I am beginning to think about my future which includes praying to God about all all of my options.

Below is a little sneak peak.

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I am very excited about this addition to the blog! Can anyone guess what it might be?? Comment below. 😉

My first Farm Progress Show

Posted on by mlball2014

Good Morning Picking Wild Flowers and Welcome Back! 

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This weeks marks my first appearance at the Farm Progress Show. I was thrilled to be part of such an empowering event! This morning I am sitting here sipping my coffee and meditating over what took place this week!

14224886_10209468393500450_522510907362628833_nI have had the privilege to work with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Women in Agriculture for going on three years. This Summer Lisa, WIA Communications Specialist, was hard at work interviewing and capturing the story of 8 amazing #WomeninAg. During the Farm Progress Show I had opportunity to connect with the women. I have never met 8 women more deserving of this award. The Impacting the Land recognition was about finding women that made great contributions to managing and protecting their land.

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I made a lot of memories at the 2016 Farm Progress Show. Working in the Iowa State University Tent really opened my eyes to future possibilities. I am excited to enter such an amazing industry. Farmers are some of the most humble and hard working people I know. I could feel the passion radiating off each individual as they shared their own story. This week was particularly special because my dad was able to join me at the show.

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I was able to walk around with Dad and Bruce for a little while before heading off to my Beef Science Lab. The FPS is a great place to get ideas and motivation. I loved seeing all of the innovation and excitement! There are a lot of great things taking place in agriculture.

One thing I question is the absence of livestock farming at the FPS. I advocate that we bring in livestock producers; trailer companies, hoop buildings, feeding systems, etc. Being a cattle farmer; I was looking for ways to improve our own herd. Crop farming ties in with livestock production, but it may be beneficial to have both! 🙂

Besides that small rant, I could not have asked for a better FPS! It is in a lovely location and the staff are very dedicated to producing a beautiful agriculture show!

Impacting the Land, Julie Walters, said “Morgan you have the whole world in front of you, don’t let anyone tell you that women can’t farm.”