Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

No matter the month, all new calves are welcome down on the dairy farm.

We don't typically try to have too many August calves due to the heat but

sometimes, it just works out that way. I'm thankful that all the calves and their

mothers are doing very well and probably adapting better than the farmers!

This baby bull was born yesterday  and has  been moved to 

his own individual hutch where he can be fed and monitored closely. The

baby does receive his mother's milk the first three days to make sure he

gets all his mother's colostrum.

Mom has moved to the milking herd where she is being milked twice a day.

The milk she produces will not be put in the milk tank for at least

 five days or when we receive the results from the test on her milk to

 make sure there is no medication present.  

It is the absolute truth that there are no antibiotics in milk! 

We are so thankful for the opportunity to work everyday 

to produce high-quality,antibiotic free  milk for you and your family!

 

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

In our days of nothing seems normal,

it is comforting to watch the cows relaxing and enjoying

the end of  a hot summer day in the cool of the evening.

Rest  is part of the care plan for these soon to be

mamas. To prepare for the big event of birth, each cow is  removed

from the milking herd and brought to the pasture to rest for the  60 days prior 

to calving. This is more maternity leave than most human moms enjoy!

Our commitment to ensuring high-quality milk begins with 

taking good care of our cows and treating them with respect.

I'm thankful for these visual reminders that every job on the farm

and in nature is important in making a difference to our   life down on the 

dairy farm.

 

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

Dairy farmers support practices that make economic sense,

 help the environment and are socially responsible to our

 communities and our world. 

 A great example of this farming  practice statement is the hay crop that

 we are cutting this week has been fertilized with the manure produced

 by our cows. Utilization of cow manure increases the water retention of 

the soil, adds needed nutrients for crop growth and protects

the water quality of our farm by following our farm plan 

designed for environmental protection.

I'm thankful for the hay crop that not only feeds the cows but

for the dairy farmers that work everyday using best management 

 practices to  insure that our land will be left in better shape for the

next generation of  family farmers.

 

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

Summertime cattle working is not always so pleasant when the sun is

 beaming down but the job was much easier when we all worked together.

 Lucky for us the clouds gathered up and provided relief for us and the calves. 

The  job included applying pour on fly deterrent,giving a dose of wormer 

and checking for pink-eye that is usually caused by those pesky flies.

As we wrapped up July, August began with a pleasant surprise of 

record breaking cool weather. Even though we haven't suffered with

100 degree days this summer,I am thankful for the cool mornings

and evenings that are bringing refreshment to us as we continue 

our summertime journey down on the dairy farm.

   Even the butterflies have been appreciating the cooler weather!