The cows are milked two times a day. It takes about four minutes to milk each cow with a milking machine. Milking the whole herd takes about three hours. Weigh jars and automatic take-offs assist the one person needed in the milking operation. A larger calf facility houses older calves 2-3 months of age.
Group pens for older heifers exist in two other barns.
Colostrum contains antibodies and nutrients from the mother to protect the newborn calf from many diseases. After 7 days calf grain is introduced. Calves are weaned around two months of age. Heifers Heifers are raised as replacement cows for our milking herd or for sale as breeding stock. After a heifer is bred and checked pregnant, she is grouped with other heifers in a separate pasture.