Local Dairy Farm Field Trip

The Turrell Tribe at the local dairy

We found a local dairy farm to visit while we were studying farm animals.  We got a hayless ride out to the pasture to see the cows up close and personal.  Dave, the dairy owner, explained how cows eat, what they eat, their cycle of eating and sleeping, the different ages of the milking cows and the various calves, and he told us the names and stories of the special named cows.  We got to see a brand new calf.  Dave estimated that the calf was 15 minutes old.  It still had the embilical cord hanging from both the mother and the baby.  A fun note - Dave told us they have to go take the newborn calf from its mother within 1 hour of birth because after one hour they can run like a deer and their natural instincts tell them to run from preditors (humans). 

After our time in the pasture and watching Dave chase an escaping cow, we returned to the milking barn to see how they milk the cows.  The kids got to put their thumb in a milker to feel the pressure and suction.  We did not see an actual cow milked so the little ones were a little confused later about how we get milk from the cows.  We wrapped up the trip by visiting with the calves.  They new, new ones that were still being bottle feed were in the barn still and the older ones were out in yard in pens.  There was manure to dodge but other than that the calf visiting was lovely. 

Ready for our ride

Enjoying the ride

Loving the tractor too

Listening to Dave

Dave and the cows

Watching the cows

"What are you looking at?"

The new calf and her mommy

Look at all those cows

The escapee

The ride back was cold

I'd not cold really

Explaining how to milk cows

Feeling the suction on the sucker

Visiting with the new calves

"Oooh you don't smell like food"

"You look cute too"

Petting the cow

"Ahh, the cow tried to lick me"