We have a 40-stall DeLaval Rotary milking parlor. This parlor was installed in 2017 and has allowed us to expand the farm and milk 680 cows three times per day. On average a milking session lasts about 7 minutes so in total, our cows are on the deck for about 21 minutes a day.

Our parlor is fitted with milk flow meters that track milk production for each cow, each milking. Additionally, each stall in the parlor uses automatic take-offs that responds to each cow different based on how fast or slow she releases her milk. This way we can provide individual treatment per cow the way they want it. 

More and more technology is being used on farms to help manage herds of all sizes. See those orange ear tags? We can watch changes in body temperature, eating habits, physical activity, and milking production. This helps us identify cows who may need additional care.

Keeping our cows comfortable throughout the year, especially during the hot and cold months, brings together cow behavior, ventilation, and barn design. We utilize fans with misters during the summer to keep cows cool while they wait to get milked. Fans are also spread throughout the barns. In the winter, curtains along the side walls of the barn keep out the snow and help insulate areas to keep them warm. 

Each day, we are busy at work on the farm with our cows. Whether it is moving them to different groups, bringing them to and from the milking parlor, or sorting them out for hoof trimming, calm handling is our #1 priority. We work alongside our cows and know that the quality of care they receive is reflected in their overall wellbeing and milk production. 

Just like people who practice different sports, dairy cows and beef cows have different body types. They really are Olympic athletes at making milk and need a lot of feed to support that! This picture is of a dairy heifer who is close to having her first calf. Even before she starts making milk, you can see her body type is certainly different than that of a beef cow.