Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

January must know her days are limited as she brought us 

chilling temperatures and a skiff of snow just at calf feeding

time this morning.  

A new baby and her mother were just what I needed to

warm my heart on this cold January morning.

After all the calves were fed their morning milk and grain,

we picked up the baby , transported her to a warm calf

hutch and walked her mother to the milk barn.

It's my job from this point to monitor and care for the 

baby. High-quality milk begins with a healthy cow and

it begins on this very first day.

Who else gets to feel such joy and can describe having

fun at work more days than not!

I'm thankful!

 

Dairy's Labor of Love

For the next few weeks, we will be observing and assisting heifers that will deliver their first calf. It's an exciting time as we watch these young heifers that we have raised from birth, give birth to their first calf and join the milking herd. No matter how many times we witness the birth of a new calf, it's always a miracle and a reminder that each animal truly represents a dairy farmer's labor of love.

On our farm, it's not unusual to have almost three years invested into caring for each heifer before she gives birth. Each phase of growth and development of the heifer requires a nutritious diet,good medical care and healthy living conditions. The investment in each animal pays off because the dairy farmer's labor of love leads to high-quality wholesome milk.

 

It's a fact:

 

A dairy farmer's labor of love provides healthy animals

 that are the foundation of a safe and abundant food supply.