High Grove Farm Journal – March 2025
Apr 07, 2025 (Westby, WI)
Mud season is here and there hasn’t been a clean boot, cow hoof or tractor for several weeks now! But as the blustery winds blow in spring weather, the land dries and the maple trees unfurl their small new red leaves – each a cheery banner announcing springtime in the Coulee Region!
Hello! I am Jessica, and this is our dairy farm. We’re Westby Creamery farmers and a busy family of six, living and working together here on our High Grove Farm. While our twice-daily barn chores remain the same at the cusp of spring, the constantly changing weather limits what we can do this time of the year.
In between feeding the cows, milking them, and all the usual farm chores, we’ve been focusing on cleaning up around the farm. Forgotten bale twine by the pasture gates and silage plastic that’s blown away from the bag are always first on my list. Spring storms knock down branches from the tall trees that line our driveway, and little pieces of bale wrap always seem to blow around the farm.
Our younger son Caleb and daughter Laney picking up silage plastic that’s blown away in the windy Spring weather.
The end of the month was the start of our cows calving for the year. We had ten cows calve in seven days thanks to the cleanup bull, usually there isn’t that many born so close together. But we’re very thankful for seven heifers and three bull calves all doing really well. Thankfully, now there is a short break until the next cows are due to calve – our calf pen in the barn is pretty full while we wait for these young ones to grow into the next age-group pen.
March switched it up this year and came in like a lamb and left like a lion! The month wrapped up with an ice and snow storm that closed schools, shut down roads, and made the power flicker during night chores.
March is known for its fickle weather and us seasoned Midwesterner’s aren’t easily fazed by it. “The snow makes the grass green up nice” is what we always say and the first robins back to the farm always expect those couple snowstorms on their tails! While we look forward to warmer weather, 50 degree days are perfect “working temps” and there’s always more yard work than there is time.
Happy spring! Thanks for visiting the farm!
– Jessica Rogers is a Westby Creamery farmer-owner who is sharing glimpses of farm life with us.
