Dairy Cow Drama

Colonel’s Blog, Earthdate 31 January 2025…

Hey Y’all!

Good afternoon and happy Fast-jet Friday from Air2Ground Farms! The fast jet today is the Mighty-Mighty F-15E Strike Eagle flying low over the snow-covered mountains in Scotland this week. Last week was another bitterly cold week, but this week we’re finally getting some relief. The temps have been in the 50s, and in the coming days we expect the 60s and even a day in the 70s, and after weeks of bone-chilling temperatures, that sounds downright tropical. The freeze-thaw cycles followed by an inch or so of rain mean that EVERYTHING is muddy. In the ever present Dust or Mud discussion, we’re squarely in the MUD!

Farm Updates: Dairy Cow Drama & Hot Wire Shenanigans

The animals on the farm are all doing well despite the temperature fluctuations, but we had some unexpected excitement with the dairy gang last week. Our plan to breed Artie didn’t go as hoped, which left us in a bit of a bind. Somehow we are off in her cycle timing which had us putting the dairy herd together with the beef herd at the wrong time for the bull to take care of business. The dairy cows didn’t have access to the milk barn, their daily feed supplements, nor the milking machine! Dairy cows are not just part of our operation—they’re pampered farm royalty, accustomed to their special treatment, milk barn routines, and, of course, providing for our customers. So, we decided to move them back to their paddock near the milk barn. Simple, right? Turns out, not so much. These ladies have an immense respect for the hot wire, and they would neither step over it nor duck under it, no matter how much we encouraged them. Separating them from the beef cows turned into an all-out farm spectacle, complete with running, dodging, and a few “this should have been recorded for YouTube” moments. But in the end, we got everyone where they needed to be, and the dairy gang is back in their royal quarters, enjoying their usual comforts once again. The top pic is Happy, our recently dried off Jersey whose wide profile gives away her late-term pregnancy. The next pic is the rest of the dairy herd, Griz by the waterer is growing fast, his mom Artie overseeing his watering, and Stella with her own wide profile is going to have her first calf around the same time as Happy has her 3rd. The next pics are are the flerd and layers loving life here on the farm. The following are a series of pics of the 'long pasture' and the creek this morning with the sun rising and fog forming. Following these pics is a pound of ground beef from our recent ‘haul’ from the processor. Notice the deep red coloring you get from grass-only pasture-raised single-animal ground beef? After a mandatory taste test, we declare that it is amazing!

Staying on Track with a Low-Carb Lifestyle

As January winds down, so do a lot of New Year’s resolutions. This is the time of year when the excitement of “new year, new me” starts to wear off, and old habits creep back in. If you started the year with a commitment to healthier eating, this is your friendly reminder: don’t quit now. A low-carb lifestyle isn’t just about weight loss—it’s about long-term health. Reducing carbohydrates, especially the refined, processed ones, helps regulate blood sugar, reduce inflammation, and support steady energy levels. If you’ve been following this way of eating, you may have already noticed benefits like clearer thinking, fewer cravings, better digestion, and even more stable moods. But what if you’ve slipped up? It’s okay. Life happens. The key isn’t to let one indulgence turn into a full slide back into old habits. Just pick up where you left off. Every meal is a new opportunity to make choices that align with your long-term health goals.

Here are a few reminders to help keep you on track:

✔ Think beyond the scale. Your health isn’t just about a number. Focus on how you feel. Do you have more energy? Fewer cravings? Better sleep? That’s progress.

✔ Avoid the guilt trap. If you had a "cheat" meal, don’t let it derail you. Get right back on track with your next meal—no need for punishment, detoxes, or drastic resets.

✔ Make it about nourishment, not restriction. A low-carb diet isn’t about deprivation; it’s about fueling your body with the best, most nutrient-dense foods. Think grass-fed meats, pastured eggs, healthy fats, and fresh, fiber-rich vegetables.

✔ Remember why you started. Whether it was to lose weight, improve blood sugar control, reduce joint pain, or just feel better in your own skin—your why still matters.

Every bite is a choice, and every day is a chance to keep moving forward. If you need some extra encouragement, we’re right here alongside you, making the same daily decisions and committed to the same real food principles.

YouTube Update

On the Dust’er Mud Podcast channel, we discussed HISTORIC BEEF PRICES and why it’s happening. We dive deep in the 45 minute conversation revealing all aspects of this important topic. https://youtu.be/Frzd38RqKb8

On the Air2Ground Farms channel, Makaylah and I make progress on some projects and discuss the importance of the concept of progress. https://youtu.be/pVpd8vgStHY

Final Thoughts

Winter is tough, but resilience is tougher. Whether it’s keeping dairy cows happy, braving the cold, or sticking to your low-carb goals, perseverance pays off. We’re looking forward to warmer days, thriving animals, and strong, healthy bodies—both on the farm and in the kitchen!

Cheers!


Psycho & Shelley