Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

Don't you just love a new baby?

Through the month of December we've 

welcomed twenty new babies to the farm. 

Each new heifer will be raised to be the next

generation of dairy milking cows on our farm.

This development occurs over a 2 to 3 year period 

as each animal matures and gives birth to their first calf.

You might say Christmas gifts are given  year round

down on the dairy farm!

                                   I'm thankful for the gift we receive of watching each calf
                                     grow  and develop into a milking cow that will provide
                                             high-quality milk for our family and yours.
                               

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

We felt just a tease of spring this past week with temperatures 

above 60 degrees for a couple of days and the birth of a calf.

Even though we see calves born throughout the year,

it was the perfect reminder of many good things to come!

Spring brings the birth of many calves from the heifers we have raised 

from birth. These first calf heifers have been cared for

 everyday of their lives for at least two years before giving birth.

Our heifer birthing watch started this week with the arrival

 of 10 heifers  to the pasture by the house.

All of our heifer calves grow up to become the cows that 

produce  high-quality milk,

so we make it a priority to get them off to a healthy start.

I'm thankful for the many signs of  hope that are provided when

we so desperately need them down on the dairy farm.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

One of the signs of fall on our dairy farm are the new

 calves that are being born almost daily.

We call it the fall calving season. 

Calves born during this season are the first babies of the heifers 

we have raised on the farm. It takes two and a half to three years to

 raise a calf from birth until she will have her first calf.

It's truly  a celebration for us to see this new mother have her first calf.

                       I'm thankful for new life down on the dairy farm and for the opportunity
                                   to see each calf grow and give birth to the next generation.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Welcome to the herd!

It's a great start to any day when we welcome a new calf to the farm.

Soon after I took this picture, Mama went to the milk barn to join 

the milking herd  and baby girl (heifer)  went to the nursery with me. 

Heifer calves on our farm grow up to become the cows that produce

milk,so it's a priority for us to get them off to a healthy start.

                                I'm thankful for my daily job to insure the health of our calves
                                  and  support the  sustainability  of our family dairy  farm by
                                                     raising and caring for our dairy calves.

Dairy Q&A

                                                                     Question:

                                                              What is a heifer?

                                                             
                                                                       Answer:
                      A heifer is a young cow over one year old
                                 that has not produced a calf.
                   Heifers  become the milking cows on our farm.

                        It's always exciting to witness the birth 
                      of the first calf of these magnificent  dairy
                animals that we have watched grow and develop
                               over a  two year period of time 
                                  and   cared for  since  birth.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

In just a few days these heifers will have their first calf.

It's one of my favorite spring time activities that happens down on the dairy farm.

Spring is  even more exciting this year because we are looking forward

 to welcoming the fifth generation to our family farm.

I'm thankful for the opportunity we had to gather this herd of grandmothers

 and soon to be grandmothers to celebrate in advance with a few gifts

 and  motherly words of advice.

We don't know her name yet but obviously

 she will be udderly adorable!

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.