It takes a village to run a dairy

When my husband and I decided to start a dairy in 2008, we had little to no experience with milk cows. But being the educated people we are, we knew that we could do this with hard work and some expert help. We soon found that it would take a well put together team to assist us in running a successful dairy. We began with the actual project of building the parlor and hoop buildings. It took specialists in construction, concrete, parlor equipment, plumbers and of course my electrician husband and father-in-law. The buildings and parlor went up like a well-oiled machine. As we were building, we had to think about the dairy cows and what their needs were. We researched every article and study we could find that discussed feed, water, bedding, veterinarian care, calf care, hoof trimming, lighting, and even music! (It turns out that the most soothing music for cows is supposed to be classical, but ours seem to like country music!)
We assembled a team of dairy vets and a nutritionist, as well as securing the right kind of sand for bedding. We bought calf huts and built pens for dry moms. We wanted to provide every bit of comfort for our girls. They mean more to us than just work cows and although the current news media is showing the "terrible" things dairy farmers do to their cows, they are not showing the whole truth. We do not dock tails. We do not beat our cows. We do dehorn our calves, but we do it humanely and for their future protection. We give our girls good medical care and never hesitate to call the vet out for a sick cow. We do everything in our power to save a cow and not because she is a worker, but because we care about her. We kiss our little baby calves and talk to them and pet them. My husband, who is the caretaker of the milk cows, talks to them all the time. He told me that if someone walked in while he was milking, they would think he was crazy, because he is in there just talking away to them! I'm proud of the way that we treat our animals. I won't deny that there are dairies and farmers that are inhumane, but you see that in every walk of life, such as human beings being cruel to children, their partners or even strangers. Most dairy farmers know that if you treat the cows mean, they won't produce milk and if they don't produce milk, you don't get paid. We don't treat our cows mean, we don't yell at them, and we do not allow anyone else to do that either, including veterinarians, hoof trimmers or anyone else. You yell or treat our cows mean, and you're out of there! Remember that sensational stories and videos sell more advertising. So before you believe all the hype from the media and the PETA people, ask someone who knows and who is there day in and day out! And if you don't believe me, stop by the farm! We have nothing to hide.