Alburnett, Iowa Cattle Watch Who is Photographing Them

A field full of these cattle types munched on lots of green grass thanks to generous rains this season. These are extremely curious cattle and very watchful of stray photographers wandering around their world.

Iowa's Giant Hereford From Another Era

Travel west of Cedar Rapids, Iowa these days and you will see (actually can't miss) a giant hereford. Situated along Highway 30 (the old Lincoln Highway) near Keystone, Iowa is this seasonal advertising piece positioned in a former bean field. My resident farmer's daughter says the mobile hereford must be old since the modern, real life body style is quite different from the roadside eye stopper.

Cattle Feed on Last Day of Spring Grass

In the Amana, Iowa countryside it is common to see herds of cattle munching on grass fields. Rainfall this spring delivered lots of moisture for consistent grass growth. Some fields are rotated for the cattle to graze during a particular period, then are herded to a different pasture, allowing for regeneration of food sources.

Meanwhile just a quarter mile from the above scene, a mother cow calls for her calf, who comes a running. Its a busy time as Summer begins.

Amana's Hidden Cattle Symbol Visible in Plain Sight

Idyllic Amana, Iowa is the subject for photographers. From sandstone foundations and weathered cedar sided buildings to the mill stream and woolen mill, the sites are endless for the seven village communities.

A closer look at the farms surrounding Main Amana yielded something unexpected. Its a cattle impression located on a concrete floor (sidewall) of a feedlot or livestock retaining area. The image can be easily overlooked but on a sunny day the south facing wall produced a distinctive shadow outline.

Visitors can discover this symbol (which I have never seen exhibited in Amana photos) on their own journey. This weekend is Amana's Maifest celebration. Check out fun and search for the lost symbol in Amana.

Iowa's Winter Corn Stubble

Harvest means corn ears and most of the stalk are removed from fields generally in autumn. Many farmers in Iowa leave stubble (including the root system) in place to not disturb soil layers. This practice results in less erosion and reduced loss of nutrients. The next crop is generally planted only inches away from these former plants, allowing a season or two of non worked soil. On this early March day, stubble also serves as forage for fattening black angus cattle.

Kirkwood Beef - Out of the Cold

A growing college here in Cedar Rapids is named Kirkwood Community College. Part of their expansive curriculum is a two year degree in Agriculture Production Management. Several acres near campus house classrooms, conference rooms and protective shelter for about 300 head of cattle including heated concrete pads. At Kirkwood's Tippie Beef Education Center students learn the latest production methods and technology through hands-on learning at the student-run college farm. Many Kirkwood graduates take that knowledge back to family farms or continue their education in ag-sciences at other universities like Iowa State in Ames. Besides, the junior member of 42N is quick to point out that her photos of range cattle exceed those of the author - I beg to differ.

Pasture Drama for a Little Calf

Last evening in a pasture near Coggon, Iowa a small herd of cattle grazed on late June grasses surrounded by corn fields. This little calf (center) walked away from its mother (right) near this spot. The curious calf jumped up and ran around in circles eventually flushing a nesting red-winged blackbird. Being very territorial, the bird swooped and started harassing the calf. The calf ran away and began to cry out, baaaa-maaaa. "Mom" hurried over and stared down the drive-bombing bird while the calf nestled next to mom's protective cover. After the bird flew off, the brave calf emerged and reclaimed his hard won pasture spot. Know that.