A cattle farmer near Marchand says heavy rains saved them earlier this summer.

Richard Carr of Rich Lane Farms runs an operation southwest of Marchand. They have 50 milking cows and 70 beef cows. Carr says they grow grass for silage and 80 acres of corn silage for the cows.

Carr says earlier this spring they were pretty nervous about their feed supply.

"But the big rain we had in July that saved us big time," admits Carr. "Right now we're going to have enough and hopefully be able to just build up a small reserve."

(Cattle at Rich Lane Farms)Carr says their reserves have depleted the last couple of years.

According to Carr, they have taken off two cuts of grass silage already and he says they have their fingers crossed that with some fertilizer and more rain they might get off a third cut.

"So far the feed quality has been excellent," says Carr. "Despite the lower yields the quality has been really good."

The Carrs have been operating their farm since 2010. Both husband and wife grew up on cattle farms but Carr says both sets of parents sold while they were still young.

"We are first generation farmers," he says.

Back in 2010 they started with beef cattle. In fact, Carr says it was not until August 1, 2018 that they turned the lights on in the barn and started milking cows. He notes their four children do not mind lending a helping hand and will have the opportunity to take over the farm in the future if they desire.

Meanwhile, Carr adds his heart goes out to the Penner family after last week's devastating fire at Pennwood Dairy near Steinbach.

"That's news that you never, ever want to hear," he says. "It resonates with all the farmers, especially with the dairy community."

Carr says he thinks every farmer took a moment last week to reflect on what they have and what they could potentially lose. He notes the ripple effect is that as a community they will support the Penner family and as dairy farmers they will now pull up their bootstraps and get the rest of the milk filled so that there is no shortage for consumers.

Rich Lane Farms was the beneficiary of Wednesday's Meals On The Farm.