Rockville Ridge

02/01/2026

Given the recent weather, I thought I would share something we installed 10 years ago but that still works like new! This is a hand pump installed on top of our well - it works with the well pump on or if power is out or the well pump breaks!

It’s called Simple Pump - https://www.simplepump.com/
Simple Pump - Water Pumps

It was easy enough to install ourselves before we had experience building anything at all - they had great video tutorials even back then.

02/01/2026

Some giant bellies! These girls are all due Feb 13-19! Just a couple more weeks! 🤩

01/25/2026

I started my herd with 3 does just for family milk and my initial barn was getting too tight when the weather was bad and everyone had to stay inside.

This fall I added a lean-to off the front that more than doubles their dry area. 🙌🏼 I'm super happy with it - although still not sure if I want to fence it in or leave it open. My building skills are not amazing, but I love being able to build well enough to create structures without having to buy a building. Things have gotten so expensive - this 12x27 lean-to was about $1000. 💸 Pics of the process 😊

My next project would be a 🥛milking parlor🥛, but I can't figure out what I want to build - how big? Concrete floors with drains?, etc. I already had water and electric brought to where the structure would go, but I don't know if I could tie it into my septic since we're already maxed it out - and if my barns aren't to code - would bringing a dairy inspector over to help determine what would be needed for grade B / manufacturing grade just bring me problems if they are on my property - do they look at other structures? I feel like if I am going to be spending the money and building anyway, I should try to make it follow standards enough to be able to do something more if I want to go that way in future - rather than building it out and needing to modify it? I have an idea of what's required, but don't know if dealing with the state is just asking for trouble. I am very hesitant to involve any type of government official in anything I do - whether we're talking schooling or farming.

Has anyone else following this page done grade B dairy in VA? Did you design it first and then involve the state? Or did you involve them first?

01/07/2026

These boys hope you all are enjoying this weather as much as they are! 👏🏼

Rockville Ridge Jack Burton *B on the left and Better Wayz Maestro *B on the right - still baby boys. We have finished the breeding season and I was so tempted to bathe them today in this warm spell since they should be pretty past their peeing on themselves phase now that everyone has been bred except Zee (milkibg through).

Had to leave today for errands so they are staying stinky, but does anyone else bathe their boys once the weather warms up? Mine get a bath and shave as soon as weather is consistently warm enough.

12/27/2025

Our first round of kiddings coming mid Feb! Our more senior does & 1 FF (Victoria).

There will be a second round late March - all FFs, and because I am nuts - a final couple does due the end of May! 🤪

Lots of kids coming from Better Wayz Maestro *B - son of 🚨ELITE & TOP 10 EEEE92 SG Better Wayz Harmony Carabear 3*M🚨

12/25/2025

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 💕
~Isaiah 9:6

12/23/2025

When it's cold out, I love the smell of fudge on the stove! And I find the bubbling so satisfying! This is a chocolate fudge cooking. We have only done chocolate and chocolate mint - open to suggestions on what to do next! No matter the flavor, it's perfect for making sure we pack on a little extra weight during the holidays! 😋

12/21/2025

We only have one doe in milk right now, Better Wayz Zee 5*M - she's being milked through because she can't be bred again. 😔 Zee tore her MCL last December and had to be on stall rest for most of her pregnancy. Talk about a hardy doe! She still doesn't have an intact MCL so we won't breed her again and put the leg at greater risk with the weight of carrying multiples, but even with a very compromised leg, this doe appraised this year (GGEE87), she went to one show (because I couldn't help myself) and came home with a Reserve Champion Ribbon! She is milking once a day on grass hay alone & still milking close to a quart a day at the shortest days of the year! She milked over 1000 # this year by 269 days, despite her injury. I love this doe - her progeny (GraceZee & GlitZee Girl) will carry on her legacy of strength and heavy production in our herd. Feeling very thankful for this hardworking girl this first day of winter! ❄

Have any of you milked a doe through? Did you just go to twice a day milking again in the spring when the other does were back in milk?

12/05/2025

11/26/2025

Our feeders are getting crowded - so we have 2 bred does leaving this weekend - very excited for their new home!

And Izzy here is already looking large - she’s the one I usually have a hard time keeping weight on! Not due until Feb 13th - looking like she may have a large litter - we don’t ultrasound, so will be a surprise - my hope: 3 does and a buck 🙏🏼😇