Sunday, March 11, 2012

Life on a farm

Yesterday, we were invited to tour the Folkema's dairy farm.   Sure I knew that there would be cows.  But I had no idea the scope, complexity, and work involved in keeping such an operation going.Starting with - the cows have to be milked three times a day.  For as much automation as there is, it is still a manual process.

From Folkema's diary
From Folkema's diary
From Folkema's diary
From Folkema's diary

The cows are udderly amazing. (heh)  When they are escorted to the parlor (where they milk), they know where to go. Seriously. These cows KNOW where to walk in, back up, and wait for the milking gear.  I was speechless. When Jess and I were still working together, she explained to me the stress cows experience when moving to a new farm.  I didn't fully understand it until I saw the cows moving in and out of the parlor. When the cows are done being milked, the gear automatically falls off and they wait patiently to be released.  When the gates open, they just amble on their way. They know what's needed when.

From Folkema's diary
From Folkema's diary
They are constantly cleaning.  EVERYTHING. It's AMAZING.  Every surface, every tube, every container is continuously checked, cleaned, and checked again.  It's a lot of detergent and iodine.  :)

These cows - they LOVE their food.  They are very curious - they were constantly watching us but if I got too close, they backed up.  And that food?  Well that food is a special recipe of ingredients necessary to produce optimum milk that is purchased at the highest price.  Okay, who knew this?  Not me.

From Folkema's diary

From Folkema's diary

From Folkema's diary

From Folkema's diary

They have steers too.  And horses.  And pregnant cows.  I don't know when anyone on this farm sleeps.

From Folkema's diary
From Folkema's diary

It's simply beautiful there.  I am sold.
From Folkema's diary

Let me share what I learned.  These farmers are incredible business men and women;  along with business savvy and acumen, they are also part vet, part chemist, part ecologist, part environmentalist, part dreamer, and part realist.  There is something more that can be done yet time and money and opportunity can be limiting agents.

I will NEVER complain about the price of milk again.  And you can treat yourself to a good read about farm life over at Jessica's blog.

2 comments:

Erin Kloostra said...

I grew up on a farm in Idaho. We had 1200 cows at one point, and the work was hard and constant. It was good to see these pictures. Thanks for bringing back great memories for me! :)

Deirdre Honner said...

It is SO gorgeous. And wow do they work hard!