Yesterday and today we trimmed cow hooves. Cow hooves are made of a material much like your finger nails. Their feet are soft and fragile, therefore proper trimming and care as well as a good environment are all critical to healthy feet. This trimming today and yesterday, would be referred to as a maitence trim. We mainly had cows with longer toes that needed to be shortened. We trim hooves 2 times every year, usually once in the spring/summer and once in the fall/winter. Cows are not used to the new equipment in the pen, therefore you will see some of the cows jumping a little when loading the trimming chute, but rest assured that these animals are not in any pain at any time during this process. Healthy feet are critical to the cow's ability to walk. Walking is critical to the cow's ability to eat, sleep and milk, therefore keeping cow feet healthy is very important. It was a long day but we trimmed 87 cows in one day and finished with the remaining 7 cows today. Thanks Brian and Rob for a job well done!
Friday, June 12, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Herd Health Day
Today was our scheduled Herd Health Day, at the farm. Every 4 weeks our veterinarian comes for his scheduled visit. We usually have a list of animals that need to see the vet. These animals are 99% of the time not sick, but just getting "physicals".
The first group of cows that the vet checked today were the post-calving cows (cows that have calved since the last herd health). These cows are palpated (checked rectally) to make sure that they are free of infection (which can occur during calving) and inflammation (swelling left over from calving). I would say that 90% of the time our cows get a clean bill of health. For those 10% that might have some infection a treatment protocol is put into place. We like to avoid using antibiotics when at all possible, to make sure that we aren't wasting milk (antibiotic treated cows need to have their milk dumped) but for severe cases of infection we do need to use antibiotics. For mild/minor infections we can use non-antibiotic antimicrobial to clean out the infection, keeping the cow in good health. Today we had 100% of the 10 post calving cows free of infection! At this time we also vaccinate for contagious diseases and give a vitamin injection to boost the cows immune system. Healthy cows, especially healthy post calving cows are critical to good quality milk production.
The second group of cows checked are the post breeding cows. These cows were bred 35 days or more ago. We use artificial insemination to breed all of our cows. We do not use a bull, for safety reasons-bulls are unpredictable and dangerous at times. Bulls don't fit into our goals for our farm. Artificial insemination allows us to use lots of different bulls from various companies, increasing our genetic advancements. Cows that were checked today are also rectally palpated to determine if they are pregnant or not. Our vet is well trained in this practice. This method does not hurt the cow, in fact it is a short process and she hardly knows anything happened to her. We also have the ability to ultrasound cows as well. We did not ultrasound cows today, but in the past we have to determine the sex/gender of the calf, determine if there are multiple calves, and determine conception date. Ultra sounding cows is much like ultra sounding humans-the images even look similar. Today we checked 16 cows, 11 cows were confirmed pregnant, 4 cows were open (not pregnant) and one was pregnant but might be losing her calf. The 4 cows that were not pregnant will be put back on the "Cows to breed" list. Some we will watch for natural heats, others we will synchronize breed. When we synch cows, we use 3 shots of hormones. These hormones are safe and do not transfer into the milk. Cows, just like humans have cystic ovaries or even have ovaries that become static or annovular. These shots help to bring the cow back into her cycle, just like doctors prescribe for women who have similar problems. Thankfully, we only have to give shots to 3 of the 4 cows...I hate giving shots to the cows.
Getting cows pregnant after calving is important because it means that we can keep the cow in the herd, she will give us another calf, and she will milk for another year. In the wild cows would also naturally calve once a year, so we are NOT forcing our cows to be calf factories, but following their natural cycles.
The last thing on the list for Herd Health today was pulling blood samples. We are part of a volunteer program which tests for and certifies for Johne's Disease. We have been certified Level 2 Johne's free for the last 4 years. Today's task was pulling blood samples on 30 random cows in our herd to be tested. If any come back positive then we will have to pull fecal samples from the positive cows. Some cows come back false positive, hence the fecal test (more expensive but more reliable for determining false positives). The blood sample is pretty painless. We like to make sure that we are doing a good job maintaining good bio security practices, keeping cows healthy, and keeping our milk safe. Be assured that EVERY DAY we are working for you the consumers, producing the safest healthiest product possible for you, your families, and our own families. Tmorrow we look forward to hoof trimming! Happy June Dairy Month!
The first group of cows that the vet checked today were the post-calving cows (cows that have calved since the last herd health). These cows are palpated (checked rectally) to make sure that they are free of infection (which can occur during calving) and inflammation (swelling left over from calving). I would say that 90% of the time our cows get a clean bill of health. For those 10% that might have some infection a treatment protocol is put into place. We like to avoid using antibiotics when at all possible, to make sure that we aren't wasting milk (antibiotic treated cows need to have their milk dumped) but for severe cases of infection we do need to use antibiotics. For mild/minor infections we can use non-antibiotic antimicrobial to clean out the infection, keeping the cow in good health. Today we had 100% of the 10 post calving cows free of infection! At this time we also vaccinate for contagious diseases and give a vitamin injection to boost the cows immune system. Healthy cows, especially healthy post calving cows are critical to good quality milk production.
The second group of cows checked are the post breeding cows. These cows were bred 35 days or more ago. We use artificial insemination to breed all of our cows. We do not use a bull, for safety reasons-bulls are unpredictable and dangerous at times. Bulls don't fit into our goals for our farm. Artificial insemination allows us to use lots of different bulls from various companies, increasing our genetic advancements. Cows that were checked today are also rectally palpated to determine if they are pregnant or not. Our vet is well trained in this practice. This method does not hurt the cow, in fact it is a short process and she hardly knows anything happened to her. We also have the ability to ultrasound cows as well. We did not ultrasound cows today, but in the past we have to determine the sex/gender of the calf, determine if there are multiple calves, and determine conception date. Ultra sounding cows is much like ultra sounding humans-the images even look similar. Today we checked 16 cows, 11 cows were confirmed pregnant, 4 cows were open (not pregnant) and one was pregnant but might be losing her calf. The 4 cows that were not pregnant will be put back on the "Cows to breed" list. Some we will watch for natural heats, others we will synchronize breed. When we synch cows, we use 3 shots of hormones. These hormones are safe and do not transfer into the milk. Cows, just like humans have cystic ovaries or even have ovaries that become static or annovular. These shots help to bring the cow back into her cycle, just like doctors prescribe for women who have similar problems. Thankfully, we only have to give shots to 3 of the 4 cows...I hate giving shots to the cows.
Getting cows pregnant after calving is important because it means that we can keep the cow in the herd, she will give us another calf, and she will milk for another year. In the wild cows would also naturally calve once a year, so we are NOT forcing our cows to be calf factories, but following their natural cycles.
The last thing on the list for Herd Health today was pulling blood samples. We are part of a volunteer program which tests for and certifies for Johne's Disease. We have been certified Level 2 Johne's free for the last 4 years. Today's task was pulling blood samples on 30 random cows in our herd to be tested. If any come back positive then we will have to pull fecal samples from the positive cows. Some cows come back false positive, hence the fecal test (more expensive but more reliable for determining false positives). The blood sample is pretty painless. We like to make sure that we are doing a good job maintaining good bio security practices, keeping cows healthy, and keeping our milk safe. Be assured that EVERY DAY we are working for you the consumers, producing the safest healthiest product possible for you, your families, and our own families. Tmorrow we look forward to hoof trimming! Happy June Dairy Month!
Monday, June 8, 2009
Let it Rain, Let it Rain, Let it Rain!
Oh Thank you Lord! IT RAINED!
After a few dry weeks the June landscape was starting to look more like a dry August landscape. The alfalfa was struggling to recover from first cutting, which means our second cutting of alfalfa may be smaller or even later than expected. Thankfully, not a moment too soon, we had rain. It rained Friday through Monday (today) morning. We enjoyed a 2 inch soaker, and as a result it has turned the landscape back into a wonderful shade of green. Even though the cattle yards are muddy we are very grateful for the gift of rain.
Often times people living in town only miss the rain when they have to water the lawn, we miss the rain when we watch the crops under stress, watch the ground/soil develop cracks, and watch the top soil blow in the wind. 2 inches of rain was the best thing that could have ever happened to us! It's a true blessing and a reminder that we are always dependent on God for all that we need.
We have also been busy working on June Dairy Month preparations. The local County Dairy Princesses have been working hard already in these few first days...making visits to local grocery stores, preschools/day cares and libraries. It's been a lot of fun and very exciting!
After a few dry weeks the June landscape was starting to look more like a dry August landscape. The alfalfa was struggling to recover from first cutting, which means our second cutting of alfalfa may be smaller or even later than expected. Thankfully, not a moment too soon, we had rain. It rained Friday through Monday (today) morning. We enjoyed a 2 inch soaker, and as a result it has turned the landscape back into a wonderful shade of green. Even though the cattle yards are muddy we are very grateful for the gift of rain.
Often times people living in town only miss the rain when they have to water the lawn, we miss the rain when we watch the crops under stress, watch the ground/soil develop cracks, and watch the top soil blow in the wind. 2 inches of rain was the best thing that could have ever happened to us! It's a true blessing and a reminder that we are always dependent on God for all that we need.
We have also been busy working on June Dairy Month preparations. The local County Dairy Princesses have been working hard already in these few first days...making visits to local grocery stores, preschools/day cares and libraries. It's been a lot of fun and very exciting!
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Busy, busy, busy...
It's been awhile since I posted any info, and there's a good reason for that. It's graduation time for my little sister....well youngest sister. She's not little any more. She graduated on the 31st, but we have been working to prep for her party/reception all week. Clean at Mom's house as well as lots of baking and cooking! Nothing like delicious homemade food for a great party. Dairy/beef/pork products were plentiful...shredded beef for sandwiches, as well as ham. We had potato salad, ham/cucumber salad, and an awesome pineapple salad with cream cheese. We have punch with sherbet in it, as well as ice cream and cake...yummy! So every evening, when I would normally post on my blog I was baking instead. It was all worth it, so Congrats Angie on making it through high school and starting the next chapter of your life!---South Dakota State University!
Quick update on the farm...Joey is doing wonderfully! She's growing well. In about 2 weeks we will start weaning her from milk replacer and over to water full time, as her only liquid and calf starter as her food source. She's an active calf and we love to have her around. I am hoping to record some video of her this coming week. Other than that we are grateful for some much needed rain. We are well over 4 inches of rain, behind where we should be for the year. Today we received .75 inches, and the crops already look SO MUCH BETTER! Thanks God for the blessing of this rain...with more coming tomorrow I say thanks ahead of time...gentle rains are more than we could ask for.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Celebrating June Dairy Month!!!
Just thought I would put a reminder out there to everyone, to celebrate June Dairy Month!
What a great month, to honor the hard work that dairy farmers do, producing a safe wholesome product while working to protect their environments and caring for their cows.
Not only do we work on our farms but we also live here, Dairy farming is our way of life.
Please enjoy a glass of milk, slice of cheese, cup of yogurt, or even a cone of your favorite ice cream, and help me celebrate the greatest month of the year....June Dairy Month!!!!
What a great month, to honor the hard work that dairy farmers do, producing a safe wholesome product while working to protect their environments and caring for their cows.
Not only do we work on our farms but we also live here, Dairy farming is our way of life.
Please enjoy a glass of milk, slice of cheese, cup of yogurt, or even a cone of your favorite ice cream, and help me celebrate the greatest month of the year....June Dairy Month!!!!
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