Introduction
Hello everyone, my name is John and I'm a third generation dairy farmer here in Wisconsin. I was born and raised on this farm that has been in my family for over 100 years. I grew up helping my dad and grandpa with all aspects of running our dairy operation and I instantly fell in love with caring for cows and the farming lifestyle. Dairy farming is not only my career, but it's truly my passion.
I wanted to share some insights into modern dairy farming techniques and day-to-day practices from someone who lives and breathes this profession each and every day. The dairy industry has come a long way in the last few decades and farming methods have advanced greatly to allow us to produce milk more efficiently while also improving animal welfare. However, I know many consumers still have questions about how their food is produced so I hope providing some details about our operation will help shed some light on these topics.
Let's start with an overview of our farm. We currently milk around 140 cows and manage roughly 300 acres of crop and pasture land. Our herd is made up of Holstein and Brown Swiss breeds which are well-suited for dairy production. We follow an outdoor grazing model during the spring, summer and fall months and provide comfortable freestall barns for the cows to rest in during the winter. We grow our own corn silage and alfalfa to feed our herd as well as crops like wheat and oats that are used for bedding and supplemental feed. Sustainability and nutritional quality of both animal feed and milk produced are top priorities for us.
Keeping Cows Happy and Healthy
Ensuring the overall well-being and comfort of our dairy cows is without a doubt the most important aspect of our operation. Happy, healthy cows will always be best for our business as they produce higher quality and quantity of milk. Some of the ways we strive to care for our herd include:
- Grazing - As mentioned, we utilize rotational grazing during warmer months which allows cows access to fresh pasture every day for exercise and natural foraging behavior. Studies show cows prefer grazing to being in confinement barns so this is great for their mental well-being as well.
- Freestall Barns - In the winter, cows are housed in large well-ventilated barns with comfortable freestalls (large individual stalls with headlocks) which provide resting areas and privacy. The freestalls are bedded deeply with straw or sand for cushioning.
- Cow Comfort Systems - Our barns have sophisticated monitoring systems that precisely regulate temperature, ventilation, dust levels and more to imitate natural conditions as much as possible inside. Thermal indexes for cows are monitored daily.
- Veterinary Care - Regular veterinary visits and preventative herd health plans are critical. We work closely with our vet to monitor diseases, vaccinate as needed, address any health issues promptly and perform routine pregnancy checks.
- Milking Procedures - Cows are milked in our double-12 parallel parlor 2-3 times per day. The parlor and equipment are cleaned after each use to maintain cleanliness and cow comfort during milking.
- Nutrition - Feed formulations provided by our nutritionist are carefully balanced to meet the high energy and protein demands of lactating cows. We supplement pasture with Total Mixed Rations (TMR) made on-farm containing grains, forages and additives.
- Foot Care - Foot health is foundational to herd productivity and mobility. We have a regular foot trimming program done by our vet to maintain proper hoof structure and wear. Digital cow mats laid in high traffic areas also help promote good foot hygiene.
Reproduction Programs
Breeding cows to calve on a yearly schedule and achieve high conception rates are fundamental aspects of a profitable dairy. Our herd health records, reproduction tracking software and veterinary expertise all work together to achieve these breeding goals. Some practices we employ include:
- Synchronization Protocols - Estrus or ovulation of cows can be synchronized using hormones like prostaglandin which allows for more uniform grouping at breeding and calving time.
- Timed-AI - For some cows, artificial insemination (AI) is performed at a pre-determined fixed time rather than detecting heat. This eliminates the need to detect estrus and improves submission rates.
- Breeding Records - Detailed breeding data is logged for every cow including insemination dates, sire identification and expected calving dates to manage replacements and production planning.
- Replacement Heifers - Heifers are bred starting around 13-15 months of age for their first calves once they reach target weights. Heifer development is essential for productive lifetimes in the milking string.
- Services per Conception - Ideally conception occurs by the 1-2nd service through good estrus detection, reproductive examination and high quality semen selection. We average 1.5 services per conception.
- Calving Intervals - Our target calving interval is 13 months or less between parturitions. Shorter intervals keep lactation revenues flowing and maximize lifetime production per cow.
Maintaining these breeding benchmarks and genetic improvement through AI sires and tracking production data allows us to make steady herd progress over generations. Our goal is healthy, productive cows for many lactations to come.
Advancements in Milking Systems
Dairy farming has come a long, long way from the bucket milking stools my grandpa used to tell me about! Modern milking technology provides immense advantages to cows as well as dairymen and their businesses. Here are some examples of how we milk cows efficiently and kindly on our farm:
- Pipeline Milking System - Individual units in the parlor are each hard-plumbed to the central vacuum milk pipeline to eliminate carrying heavy buckets. This system is faster, more hygienic and comfortable for cows.
- Automatic Take-Offs - As milk flow reduces during milking, the claw detaches automatically through air pulse technology eliminating overmilking or leaving milk behind. No kicking required!
- Electronic milk meters - Milk meters within the claws precisely measure milk production in real-time for each quarter and full udder. Data is downloaded to track performance over time.
- Teat Sprayers - Each unit disinfects teats with iodine or other germicide between milkings to maintain udder health. Some systems even weigh and record individual cow milk weights.
- Specialized Milking Equipment - Pulsing inflations, long milking claw tubes and gentle milking units engineered specifically for cow comfort reduce stress on udders.
- Monitoring Systems - Cameras and software allow us to observe cow behaviors or any issues during milking from an office or on our phones if needed for treatment.
Technological enhancements like these have improved both animal welfare and labor efficiency on our farm tremendously. Cows receive faster, gentler, more hygienic milking while we optimize productivity and catch health issues sooner. Win-win for cows and farmers!
Managing Nutrition and Feed Quality
High quality forages and balanced rations are non-negotiable foundations of our dairy operation and milk production goals. As stewards of the land, we take soil health, crop rotations and sustainable harvest methods very seriously. Nutrition also impacts herd wellness along with economic benchmarks so quality control is critical. Our procedures include:
- Homegrown Forages - We grow our own corn silage, alfalfa and small grains for bedding/feed. Soil tests guide fertilizer and lime needs to replenish nutrients year after year.
- Forage Harvesting - Modern equipment ensures fast, gentle harvesting of dry hay and corn silage at optimal nutrient levels. Bunker silos or piles aid fermentation.
- Ration Formulation - Customized Total Mixed Rations are formulated using local crops, supplements and our nutritionist's expertise to meet dietary needs. Balancing protein, fiber, energy etc.
- Feed Delivery - A mixer wagon precisely delivers fresh TMR to feedbunks twice daily minimizing sorting/waste. Cows learn to eat all components for max nourishment.
- Feed Additives - Rumen buffers, trace minerals and vitamins are supplemented as needed supporting herd health and milk production.
- Feed & Refusals Testing - Regular sampling tests nutrient variability, allows adjustments if needed to maintain balanced and consistent rations and avoid digestive issues.
Sustainable manure management, crop rotations, soil testing - these are all intricately intertwined with our dairy nutrition program. Together with research-backed formulations, we can fuel top cow performance and economic returns responsibly for many years ahead.
Managing Manure as a Resource
Proper manure handling techniques are crucial environmental stewardship practices on our farm. We view manure not as a waste, but as a valuable organic fertilizer and soil amendment which nourishes our crops when applied at agronomic rates. Our system includes:
- Freestall Barns - Scrapers routinely clean barns of manure which accumulates in underneath storages or stacks. No stockpiling of manure occurs near or in waterways.
- Liquid Manure System - Our main barn uses an underground storage tank and irrigation equipment to apply liquid manure evenly across fields when conditions are suitable to avoid runoff.
- Soil Injecting & Incorporation - Many of our fields utilize chisel plow injectors or tankers that direct manure below the soil surface instantaneously where microbes break it down.
FAQs
FAQ 1: How many hours per day do dairy farmers work?
Dairy farming is very labor intensive and time consuming. During the spring, summer and fall months when cows are on pasture, farmers typically work 12-14 hour days to tend to milking, feeding, health checks and field work. In the winter months when cows are housed indoors, hours per day average 10-12 to accommodate milking and increased feeding frequency. There is always work to do on a dairy farm every single day of the year without vacation or days off.
FAQ 2: What breeds of cows are best for dairy production?
The two main dairy cattle breeds raised on most commercial dairy operations in North America are Holsteins and Brown Swiss. Holsteins are black and white and are renowned for their high milk production, comprising over 90% of the US dairy herd. Brown Swiss are brown colored and known for producing high butterfat milk well suited for cheesemaking. Jerseys and Guernseys are also good dairy breeds but produce lower volumes of milk than Holsteins. Breed selection depends on each farm's production goals, facilities and market they supply.
FAQ 3: How many pounds of milk does the average dairy cow produce?
Milk yields per cow have increased dramatically in the last 50 years due to genetic improvements, nutrition and management. The national average milk production per cow in the US is over 23,000 pounds (10,434 kg) per year. Top producing herds can average over 30,000 pounds annually from elite show cows achieving over 80,000 pounds in their lifetimes. However, many factors like age, stage of lactation and health status impact individual cow production levels on any given day.
FAQ 4: What treatments or hormones do dairy cows receive?
All food-producing animals including dairy cattle are strictly regulated and closely monitored. No hormones of any kind are used in milk production. Occasionally some cows may receive antibiotics if prescribed by a veterinarian for treatment of an infection. All drugs are carefully followed according to withdrawal times to ensure milk is free of residues before cows return to the milking string. Basic care like deworming, vitamins, and vaccinations help keep herds healthy without needing extra growth hormones.
FAQ 5: Is dairy farming sustainable and environmentally friendly?
Modern dairy farmers take sustainability very seriously as stewards of the land and water. Practices like rotational grazing, planting cover crops, recycling manure as fertilizer, using methane digesters and reducing fossil fuel use all help drive continuous environmental improvements. Through balanced crop rotations and nutrient management plans, dairy operations conserve soil and protect nearby ecosystems long into the future while producing nutrient-dense food efficiently. Ongoing innovation further strengthens this commitment daily.
FAQ 6: What government regulations do dairy farms need to follow?
Dairies, like all agricultural enterprises, must comply with extensive federal, state and local regulations. Some of the key regulatory agencies and rules include food safety standards from the FDA; environmental and emissions protocols through EPA and state agriculture departments; humane animal welfare laws enforced by USDA; and workplace safety policies under OSHA and workers' compensation boards. Dairy processing facilities are additionally regulated for product grading and standards by the USDA. On-farm biosecurity, traceability systems and product quality assurance programs also ensure public trust in local agricultural industries.
Conclusion
As you can see, dairy farming today requires meticulous management of complex technical systems while also caring deeply for thousands of individual cows every single day. Advancing technologies have vastly improved productivity and animal well-being compared to decades past. But at its heart, dairy farming remains a living, breathing relationship between farmers, cows and the land they steward responsibly for future generations. I'm proud to be part of continuing this important work and nourishing consumers with wholesome dairy nutrition produced sustainably right here at home. I hope this overview gave helpful insights - please feel free to contact me if you have any other questions!