May 16 - June 4 (The CRAZIEST 3 weeks EVER!)

The spring of 2011 will go down in Soaring Eagle history as one of the most challenging ever.  Extremely wet conditions kept us out of the fields way too long and once things did dry out, it was crunch time.  To put things in perspective in 2010 we had all our alfalfa planted and the rocks picked in those fields by May 1st.  This year, we did not turn any soil until May 16th, at which time it was critical that we get seed in the ground and as each field dried out, we were in it, often times tilling, picking rocks and planting within hours of each other.

In 20 days time, we accomplished the following:

- 825 acres of corn fields tilled, sprayed, planted and rocks picked

- 125 acres of new seeding alfalfa fields tilled twice, rocks picked and seeded down

- 150 acres of soybean fields tilled twice, sprayed, rocks picked and planted

To add to the challenge, both our corn planter and our grain drill provided problems once we did get out in the fields.  Our corn planter had some precision planting options added to it over the winter months.  One of those components it was determined needed a $30 cable which we ordered and was to be shipped overnight, to allow us to begin planting on the next day.  An error was made, and the shipment did not go out, causing us to wait one more day - very frustrating when we were already 3 weeks behind!!  The grain drill we used this year was purchased over the winter months.  That unit gave us trouble the entire season and we are still working with the dealer on a resolution.

Finally, due to the late nature of our spring work, our existing alfalfa fields were ready for harvest before we were done with spring work.  This becomes especially challenging.  Last week our guys worked 85 hours each trying to get it all done.  Also, machinery becomes awfully short when trying to get so much done all at once.  In fact, we had to borrow my great uncles 1973 Farmall tractor in order to allow us to get our calf barn cleaned out in the middle of all the planting and hay harvesting!  Now that's a oldie but goodie!!

What goes on during winter at Soaring Eagle?

My Dad suggested I post some information about what keeps up busy during the non-cropping months.  I figured before I get into what's been going on the past few weeks, I should report what has been going on all winter long. 

As for us girls, things don't change much with regard to our winter vs. summer chores.  Cows need attention, numbers need crunching and employees need managing - regardless of season.  The three of us girls do help during the summer months with field work, but in winter, we do a much better job of working more regular hours and usually keep our work week to 40 hours.

Season does have a huge impact for the shop guys however.  In the winter months, they also work about 40 hours per week, compared to the 55+ hours that the typical summer month requires.  In fact, last week they had 85+ hours each!!  This was due to the challenging spring and the need to finish planting and take first cutting all during the same week...more on that in my next post.

Any way, without field work, you may wonder what keeps those guys buys in the winter months.  Here are a few pictures showing some of their projects:

These first pictures show a project that our mechanic, Tyler Herzog is in the middle of.  We have 2 of this same tractor, which is used for scraping each pen of cows when they are up to the parlor for milking.  This tractor (or the matching spare) runs for about 15 minutes of each hour, 24 hours per day.  We have two so that if one is down for maintenance or repairs, we can still get our work done, keeping our cows clean and comfortable.  You will notice in the picture that the front half of the tractor and the back half are about 5 feet apart!  It always surprises me when the guys get this back together and it actually works!!

This next picture is our cattle trailer.  We have had this trailer for about 10 years and it definitely has some serious wear.  During the winter, our guys reinforced all the steel, allowing us to hopefully get another 5 years out of this trailer.  Kind of a easy decision when a new trailer would set us back about $15,000!!

Finally, this tractor is our Case IH STX-325.  This is the largest tractor we have and it's primarily used for pushing feed into our feed bunks and packing it tightly by driving back and forth over the pile.  This tractor is also used in fall to pull our heavy tillage tool and work the ground after crops are taken off.  In this picture they are changing fluids, filters and getting it ready for another busy season of use. 

  

 All of these pictures were taken on the same day back in March.  Our shop is a pretty busy place all year long!!!

St. Patrick's Day Parade - Fitzgerald Style!!

About 2 weeks before St. Patrick's day, Dad brought in the newspaper clipping announcing the upcoming parade in Manitowoc, along with the float entry form.  His suggestion that we put a float in the parade, materialized into a great (hopefully annual) event!!

About a week before the big day, Kelly and I took to designing signs for our float.  Here she is working in the shop.  We were quite please with how they turned out, especially after finding out to have something professionally done would cost $100 - $200!!  And yes, that is John Deehr green paint...finally founds a use for that stuff on our very "red" farm!!

  

After celebrating the Irish Mass in Manitowoc, it was off to the float.  The picture below shows our "Clan"

- from left to right - Patrick (cousin), Sandie (Mom), Clara (our green calf!), Brooke (neice), Hailey (daughter), Austin (nephew), Kelsey (daughter), Brenda (employee), Julie, Nathan (nephew), Brittany (employee), Kelly (sister) and Jim (Dad).

Even Mom got into the spirit of the day, allowing us to use the same green hairspray on her that we used on the calf!!  We passed out cheese, dairy coloring books, key chains and recipes to the parade attendees.

By far, the highlight of the night was watching the kids faces light up when they realized it was a real, live calf that they were seeing in downtown Manitowoc.  Clara was so very well behaved (shown here with Brooke) - it can be somewhat scarry to take a living animal, on the top of a hay wagon, knowing she may or may not decide to cooperate!  The event was a complete sucess, a chance for us to share our pride of our Irish heritage and our passion for farming.  We look forward to doing this again next year!

 



Welcome Liam Patrick Klotz!!

 At 9 pm on Monday, March 14th, Liam Patrick Klotz made his debut as the littlest Soaring Eagle Crew member, weighing in at 9 pounds 8 ounces and 21.5 inches long.  We are so very happy for Stacy and Jeremy!  Here's a picture of Stacy about 6 weeks before Liam's arrival.

 Liam is a beautiful little boy who seldom goes a day without a visit from an extended family member.  I have to say my girls are a bit obsessed  with seeing him.  The record is 1 hour after returning from a visit to see him, they asked "When are we going to see him next?" 

A cute little story about Liam is that Stacy and Jeremy had a hard time settling on his middle name.  They had originally told the nurses his name would be Liam Aidan Klotz.  About an hour later Jeremy's Mom suggested Patrick for a middle name since he was born 3 days before St. Patrick's Day.  The proud parents both LOVED the name and luckily there was still time to make the change.  Definitely a story for the baby book!

Congratulations to Stacy and Jeremy.  Our family is truly BLESSED with another member of the next generation!!



Happy St. Patrick's Day!

As I have become older, my fascination with my Irish Heritage has too.  (Funny, I never boast about my Bohemian ancestry??)  We've already been celebrating this year.  Mom brought Ruben's for the crew at Soaring Eagle Dairy last week - since Stacy insisted that if she wait until the 17th, she may be out on maternity leave.  We're still waiting for Baby Klotz to make his arrival!!

Additionally, today my daughter and I got in the Irish spirit of things when we built this snowman.  Proof that Old Man Winter truly is Irish!!

A few years back, all the Fitzgerald Women, spent St. Patrick's Day in Chicago.  We took in the parade, saw the river died green and had the best time ever!!

But the big deal this year will be our first every participation in Manitowoc's St. Patrick's Day parade.  We will have a float and the Fitzgerald Clan members will be handing out cheese and coloring books.  If you're from the area and you attend the parade, please be sure to watch for Clara - our green calf!!  The parade starts at 6:30 in downtown Manitowoc.  For those of you who aren't local, not to worry...there will be pictures to follow!!!

Green Bay Packer Aaron Rodgers - Super Bowl MVP and My Hero!!

My heart has skipped a few beats as of late.  Beginning with Sunday's Super Bowl where from the outstanding first quarter to the sometimes scary final minutes, I found myself pretty wound up.  Even though I'd been up since 4 am on Sunday, it took until 11 pm or later to wind down enough to finally fall asleep.  Gosh we LOVE our Packers and winning the ultimate game is pretty darn exciting!!

Then yesterday, during a farm related bus trip, the full page ad with Aaron Rodgers milk moustache was passed around and gave me goosebumps!  It's amazing that in less than 24 hours from our big win, our Super Bowl MVP is pictured promoting nature's most wholesome product - MILK!!

Click on this link to see the ad and check out his video interview:
Aaron Rodgers Got Milk Ad and Video


Congratulations to Aaron Rodgers on your Super Bowl win, being named MVP and Thank You for supporting my industry!!

Superbowl Sunday - Go Pack Go!!

So for those who haven't been paying attention, America's Team will be starring in Superbow XLV on Sunday.  All of Wisconsin will stop as all eyes become focused on bringing the Lombardi Trophy home! 

After a year of lots of injuries, and 3 playoff wins on the road, the Packer Nation is FIRED UP.  I will be wearing my lucky "Fitzgerald's Irish Pub" sweatshirt which I have wore every game since Christmas (no losses since!).  We will have a group of friends and family here to jump, yell and scream with us.  We will "tailgate" with brats, beer, cheese and chips.  The game will be all we talk about for the next week! 

I only wish I know a farmer in Pittsburg that would be willing to bet some cheese on the game.  Any takers?

GO PACK GO!!!  GO PACK GO!!!