Well the end of 2011 is already past and a new year is already 4 days old. The last two weeks of the year We only had two people working each day on account of everyone taking holidays. It still amazes me that two people and one tractor can operate an 800 cow dairy farm this time of year! I have one more day of my 8 day vacation left before I return back to work.
I had a hard time with the calves right before Christmas. We had a B1 deficiency problem that we couldn't get rid of. We tried lots of different things and we weren't quite sure which one finally worked, but we ended up loosing a total of five calves from it. Besides that they have been growing very well and we have be regularly drenching and vaccinating them.
The last day before I went on vacation I had a performance review. Steph said I beat everyone else on the farm in always being positive, and that I am always eager and hungry to learn. We talked a little about improving my weakness in animal health, and also that we are going to mainly focus on my continuing to gain a better understanding of the pasture management and system over the next five months. I am happy about her and Andy's commitment to help me learn and understand these key aspects I have come to New Zealand to learn. I know I still have a long way to go to fully understand it but I know when the season is through the knowledge that I gained will be immense.
I am really excited for this coming year and what it has to offer. I know the first half will be filled with much more learning and experiences that will stretch myself. And after the season is over we will see what plans the Lord has in-store for us next! Also becoming a parent will be pretty great to! I hope everyone reading this does something this year they have always dreamed of during, I hope you take a risk, make some mistakes, and grow.