Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

It was moooving day this week!

The move did not include any packing material or boxes--

just calves that enjoyed kicking up their heels with

 the excitement of  a new experience.

The oldest calves  in the calf hutches (at least three months old)

 were moved from their individual hutches to a small pasture

 where they will begin  living together as a herd. 

Before being put on the trailer,

each calf received a vaccination to protect them from 

common calf diseases and a dose of wormer.

This weaning process began  weeks before moving  day by

transitioning them from milk to water and a grain that is

 formulated for the growth of an older calf.

Weaned calves continue to be monitored closely for 

any signs of illness during their twice a day feeding in 

the pasture.  

I'm thankful for each of these calves

that we have raised from their

first day of life  down on the dairy farm

and

                                               the future production of high-quality milk

                                                 that begins with a healthy calf.

 

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

From the minute we bring a newborn  calf into 

their own private hutch, it becomes our priority

to monitor the calf for any health issue and to 

make sure it is drinking milk  twice a day and

adding grain at the appropriate time.

Care in the hutches continues for approximately three months.

The hutch protects from weather and the pens surrounding

 them provide ample space for the calf to freely move about 

while protecting them from other members of the herd.

When the calves are transitioned out of the hutch into a small 

pasture, the training begins for living as a group,

 eating together from a grain trough and drinking at

the water tank.

My job last week was to stand in the gate and direct

 them to follow Ryan to the feed manger at feeding time.

It doesn't take very long for the calves to know

it's time for dinner!

  

I'm thankful for the opportunity we have

each day to care for our calves that will  assure a future 

of producing high-quality milk

                                                                                  and

                                                         for the little surprises down on
                                                                       the dairy farm!