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About Your Cows
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About Your Cows
This is a photo of our cows relaxing out in their field. The herd consists of a variety of breeds, including Jersey, Holstein, Jersey-Holstein cross (aka F1), Milking Dutch Belted (aka Oreo), Milking Short Horn, and Brown Swiss.
The farm maintains a "closed herd", meaning they don't bring in any outside animals to the farm, and so don't bring outside infections and/or viruses. A vet comes out to the farm every 4-6 weeks to check the cows, and they have always tested negative for Johnes (pronounced yo'-nees) and TB. The farm is a Grade-A certified dairy, and the milk is tested regularly for butter fat, protein, SCC (somatic cell count), and bacteria. Test results are always available for our herd share managers to view, if desired.
The fields in which the cows are pastured are chemical-free, and in winter when the grass is inaccessible, the cows are fed on quality hay and corn silage (the whole corn plant). Cows are milked twice per day, in the morning and evening, and milk is usually pulled for delivery the previous day. The farmer uses a closed milking system, in which milkers are attached to the cow and the milk goes through a closed pipeline and through a filter, then into the bulk tank, where it is immediately cooled to 37 degrees.
Calves
are left with their mamas in the field, so milk is shared with them, for both
their emotional and physical benefits, as well as for making healthier, happier
cows when they are grown.
The farmer hosts a farm tour sometime during the last two weeks in May so you can see the farm, learn about the milking process, ask the farmer questions, and see your cows in their everyday habitat. We're trying to talk him into doing a tour in the fall as well, but he's a busy guy, so we'll see.
Click here to see more photos of our cows.