On the outskirts of a small community in western Idaho sits a small family dairy with Brown Swiss and Holstein cows that have been milked for four generations. The Milchhof Dairy provides dairy products like raw milk, cream and curds sold locally, mostly to neighbors and loyal customers that still bypass major corporations to enjoy the fruits of their neighbors’ labor. You can drive by today and still stop into the milking parlor and drop your money into the can and grab your own gallon of raw milk, never seeing a person as they’re usually outside tending to chores and daily tasks. It’s a humble operation, but with tender care, obvious intent and a wholesome feeling of providing a product that everyone will enjoy.
Now, for over 40 years, the family has carried on a Christmas holiday tradition. Three generations of family members show up on Christmas Eve ready to take on a special chore. The western Idaho climate usually provides plenty of mud without a winter freeze taking hold, but together, pen by pen, they clean each and every one. Then they bring fresh straw to each pen until each pen has a clean, freshly bedded pen for the animals to enjoy on Christmas Eve.
Obviously, the animals just see a clean pen, but the family sees something entirely different. It’s a way for them to give thanks to the animals for all they do for the family throughout the year. It’s not just a chore, but a thank you for providing for the family and entire community. It’s also an opportunity for the family to be together, work together and be reminded of their roots and love for each other. It’s not just freshly bedded pens; it’s a gift to people and their livestock who all work together every single day.
For people who love strong traditions surrounded by family and friends, the holidays are an opportunity for us all to reflect and give thanks to all those that provide for us. In a world that can be so quick to point out the negative and talk about things happening across the globe that are ugly in nature, there are still places that represent all the good things in life.
We are so fortunate to be in agriculture. At whatever level or production space you reside in, there are positives. Albeit sometimes you must look a little harder than other times, but it’s always there.
2023 provided so many ups and downs, but overall, we have to step back as an industry and realize the good. For so many of us, the few years leading up to it were a struggle. Rising inputs and interest with runaway inflation compounded with drought didn’t make it easy. However, 2023 softened that for many of the producers in the West. Lowering hay costs with high calf prices were the needed sigh of relief. Looking into 2024, for those who have been able to withstand, we feel are poised to reap some benefits!
Fundamentally, 2024 is still in favor of the cow-calf producer. A market correction this fall surely dealt a blow, but the national cow herd has not started to make the attempt to rebuild. We are still in short supply overall and I’m anxious for the mid-January traditional jump in the market to take place. It’s set to be another great year barring any unfavorable weather patterns, which we’ll undoubtedly see in various areas.
Since 1922, WLJ has withstood so many turbulent times. As I was preparing for this column, I found myself researching the times of the Dust Bowl and found myself thinking about how people have endured tremendous hardships. The WLJ family has seen its various trials and tribulations, but we have always been able to rely on a dedicated staff and superb fieldmen working to provide the best service to the agricultural community.
As we have transitioned leadership, we are grateful for the dedication we have seen from our readership. We are thankful for you all and hope you know how much it means to us that you continue to support us as we navigate forward. We love hearing from you and aim to do our best to provide the best publication we can produce. Just as the cows are waking up on Christmas morning from a freshly bedded pen to continue to do their daily work, the team at WLJ will be doing the same, working for a bigger cause while enjoying everything we do. We wish you all a joyous holiday season and Happy New Year! — LOGAN IPSEN
