Eastern Iowa Farmer Fall 2020

Eastern Iowa in late winter before storming
slowed or temporarily shut their doors, schools
prices took a hit, local farmers continued to do
never before seen. Ashley Johnson, who farms
joys and struggles as they faced major impacts to
farm life. Beginning in March, she shared periodic
entire journal, go to EIFarmer.com.
and heavy eyelids, they asked the most
anticipated question of the day, “When do
we get to go show again and how far is the
next show?”
Obviously, I didn’t have the answer.
As the pot of COVID-19 boils over, it
was beginning to swallow the rest of
the stove top and leave behind a stinky,
greasy mess that is almost impossible
to clean up. While I was wishing I
could say tomorrow, I honestly didn’t
know, nor did I know if it would
happen again this year.
As each day passes, the reality of
COVID-19 becomes more apparent and its
trail more destructive. I’m not sure who I’m
more devastated for: my kids or myself and
my husband. While it is our money we are
spending on feed and expenses, it’s our kids’
time they will never get back spent on heifers
that soon, if no show opportunities present
themselves, will become just heifers. Heifers
turned out to pasture to eat grass and weather
the storms. Heifers who carry a calf and aim
for their February due date and heifers who
turn into cows who will never forget the rattle
of feed in a bucket and the itch a scotch comb
could scratch.
But, on the other hand, there are lessons –
such as trust, respect, leadership and responsibility
– learned by all of us as we allow our kids the
experience to show cattle. While this first year of
showing hasn’t turned out like we had hoped, I
know they have fond memories of the two shows
they were able to show at and the smiles on their
faces in the pictures say more than any words or
ribbons can.
While COVID-19 wreaks havoc on just about
everything we once knew, I can’t help but feel for
those individuals who are only afforded so many
years of youth. And while they are only gifted so
many years of eligibility, I’m thankful we are just
beginning ours with our three young children. To be
honest, I would be devastated for my senior in high
school who was looking to cap off their career of
dedication and hard work only to be short changed
on every account. While some may say this is
life – deal with it, I say where’s your compassion
and empathy? You too were a youth with expired
eligibility who had hopes, dreams and aspirations in
a world that accepted you with open arms. Remember
who you were before you were soured and your
skin thickened by the unfortunate events as life has
unfolded and dealt you some difficult hands.
Saturday, March 20
#4 Do what you have to!
Last night, James and I had to pull
a calf out of a first-calf heifer. For
whatever reason she didn’t dilate,
and the bull calf was pretty big for
an ideal first-calf heifer situation.
As James was jacking him out, I was trying
to get the calf to breathe to ensure life. I
wasn’t successful at getting him to take
a breath, although when I tapped around
his eyes, he blinked and had reflexes so I
knew he was alive. As soon as James got
him completely out, he started trying to
get him to breathe tickling his nose with