WE CARE!
Why do we care for our cows? It's a bit of a struggle to answer this because really, why wouldn't you care for them? It's a part of who we are. It's how we were raised, specifically caring for the needs of our animals and generally caring for God's creation. Plus, there's that age old saying, "if you take care of the cows, they'll take care of you"!
Diet & Nutrition
- Our cows have their own personal nutritionist.
- We use a customized TMR (Total Mixed Ration) to ensure our cows get a balanced diet.
- Forages - grass silage, corn silage, and alfalfa hay
- Protein - canola, Soy Plus, etc.
- Carbohydrates - flaked corn and barley
- Fat - cottonseed, etc.
- Minerals
- Vitamins
- Each individual ingredient is tested for nutrient content
- We personally observe how our cows are responding to their diet
- Water is fresh, constant and easily accessible
- Read how we give our cows a diet perfectly optimized for them!
Cow Comfort
- Our cow stalls were built according to the specific breed (Holstein & Jersey) sizes
- We use sand in our stalls for comfort and cleanliness
- We have curtains that can be pulled down when cold and windy
- We have fans and sprinklers to use when it's hot
- The barn floors are grooved for sure footing
Cow Health
- We have veterinarians on call
- We have weekly herd health visits with our veterinarian for:
- Reproductive needs
- Vaccinations
- Questions & Concerns
- Every cow receives a hoof trimming twice per year
- Hoof trimmer comes every week for maintenance and any foot issues that may arise
- Antibiotics are given only as necessary and under supervision of our veterinarian
- At the end of her lactation, every cow gets a 2 month "vacation"
- 10 days before giving birth, a cow is brought into the "close-up" pen for observation
- When birth is imminent, she is moved into the maternity pen
- After birthing, she is kept close for further observation before being let out with the herd
Cleanliness
- Stalls are picked clean with every milking
- Sand in stalls is leveled weekly for freshening
- New sand is added approximately every 10 days
- Udders are sprayed and wiped before milking and dipped with iodine after
- Maternity pen is kept clean with fresh straw for birthing
COW BREEDS
Jerseys & Holsteins
There are some very distinct differences between the brown Jersey and the black & white Holstein.
One difference is their size, Jerseys are quite a bit smaller than the Holstein. When we started adding Jerseys to our herd, we had to do some remodeling to make things on their side of the barn, smaller and shorter.
A second difference is the milk they produce. No, Jerseys do not produce chocolate milk (wouldn't that be fun if they did though!) however while they produce less milk, there is more butterfat content in that milk. Dairy farmers are paid for their butterfat so that is something each farmer has to decide for themselves, do they want more in quantity or more in butterfat?
One difference is their size, Jerseys are quite a bit smaller than the Holstein. When we started adding Jerseys to our herd, we had to do some remodeling to make things on their side of the barn, smaller and shorter.
A second difference is the milk they produce. No, Jerseys do not produce chocolate milk (wouldn't that be fun if they did though!) however while they produce less milk, there is more butterfat content in that milk. Dairy farmers are paid for their butterfat so that is something each farmer has to decide for themselves, do they want more in quantity or more in butterfat?
It's a Jersey thing...
A third difference, and this is the one I (Ann) personally enjoy the most, is their personalities. A Jerseys' personality is so much fun! They are curious, more friendly and they have serious skills! Typically speaking, when you approach a resting Holstein, if you get too close, they'll get up and back away. Jerseys will come to you and if you get within their reach, they'll lick you! And those tongues, that is where their skills lay! If you have wooden walls, they will lick a hole right through it! Be careful with gates, they just might lick it open. And have you ever seen their tongue twirling skills? Oh my, do they have talent!
Cow Care
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Our Cows |
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