Ultrasound for Cows?? Yup!

Every Tuesday at Soaring Eagle is herd health day.  Each week our vet, Dr. Jeff Bleck of Dairy Doctors in Plymouth, WI stops by about 8 am.  He's usually on the farm for about 2 hours and most of his time is spent checking cows to determine if they are pregnant.  Here is a video and explanation of how that works:

So about 35 days after the cow is inseminated, she is checked for the first time to determine if she is pregnant or not.  During this time we can tell if she is having twins which happens in about 4% of cow pregnancies.  Then 30 days later we check her for a second time.  At this second check, Jeff is actually able to tell us if its a heifer calf or a bull calf.  He also checks all our cows before breeding them for the first time to make sure they are in good condition for breeding.  If a cow has a difficult time transitioning to a milk cow, we may wait a bit longer before beginning a breeding program on her.  In the video below, Jeff is checking more cows and we show you what he sees on the eye piece that he's wearing:

On this particular day we checked 30 cows, of which, 24 were confirmed pregnant.  We have a deal with Jeff that if we hit 75% on any given week, he buys us lunch.  Up until this day, that's only happened once!  Since 24 of 30 is 80% it looks like we'll be going for lunch again soon!  Now he wants to raise the goal for us however, but I guess that called continuous improvement!!



Technology - Necessary to Feed the World!!

There has been much discussion in our industry regarding our need to keep up with the food needs of our growing planet.  You see, by the year 2050, we will need 100% more food and it has been determined that 70% of this increase must come from technology and improved efficiencies.  Since I truly believe that food is a basic human right for ALL people, we must continue to find new practices, products and genetics to meet this need.  More information regarding this can be obtained by watching the following video (Click on link that follows):

One in six people around the world is hungry. Watch and learn how more people can eat:

There has been much controversy regarding the use of genetically modified seed and the use of rBGH in dairy cows.  These are both examples of technology that allow us to produce more with fewer resources and with a smaller carbon footprint.  It infuriates me that as a consumer I no longer have a choice in the grocery store to buy milk produced on farms that choose to use rBGH!  The Food and Drug Administration, World Health Organization, American Medical Association, American Dietetics Association, and the National Institute of Health have independently confirmed that dairy products and meat from BST treated cows is safe for human consumption. It's use allows us to produce every gallon of milk with less land, feed and water!  As consumers, this means that we pay a higher price for milk in the grocery store and I worry that for some it means that milk gets removed from the grocery list and is replaced with soda or Kool Aide. 

If you believe that having a choice in the grocery store is the right thing, the next time you are there ask them to carry milk that is produced using a safe, proven technology which will keep more money in your pocket.  You see, consumers can not buy milk which is "rBGH free" - since this is naturally found in cows milk.  For those who choose to buy milk produced without this technology, I ask that you too consider standing up for the rest of us who do not have a choice and ask your grocer to carry both.

Happy St. Patrick's Day - Parade Reminder

This year the annual St. Patrick's Day parade will be held in Manitowoc along 8th Street on Friday, March 16th at 6:30 pm., with fireworks to follow.  Be sure to get there early to get a good spot along the route.  Last year, the picture below was taken of our float and while we decided to take this year off, several of us plan to be there as observers. 

The following is our wish for all our friends, family and followers.  It is an Irish Blessing that is dear to our hearts.

May the road rise up to meet you,

May the wind be always at your back,

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

The rain fall soft upon your fields,

and  until we meet again,

May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.

CPR & First Aid Training

We know that we are part of a very dangerous industry.  In fact, farming is number four on the list behind fishermen, loggers and pilots.  There were 300 farm related fatalities in the US in 2010.  While we take great measures to make sure everyone of us is safe, after this week, we also are more prepared should something happen.

On Wednesday, 11 of our family members and key employees from each shift participated in First Aid and CPR training right at the farm.  We packed into our conference room and with instruction from Tammy of Valders Ambulance Service and Judy of Holy Family Hospital, we all obtained certification for Adult and Infant CPR and First Aid.  While we sure hope we never have to use it, we all feel better prepared should something happen either at the farm or with our families.  Several of those in attendance have young children and all felt better knowing the proper way to handle choking - no it's not a smack on the back.

Here are some pictures of us working on our CPR:

CPR and First Aid are offered at most Red Cross locations, hospitals and many churches.  I encourage everyone to find time to take a course.  Someday you may be glad you did!!!

Even Cows Need TLC and Pedicures!!

Twice each year, every cow at Soaring Eagle Dairy gets her hooves trimmed by a specialist.  Don Vosters of Vosters Hoof Care comes to the farm three times monthly, each time seeing 55 - 85 cows and trimming their hooves to provide the cow with proper balance and weight distribution on those feet and legs.  The attached video shows the process. 

The tool that Don is using is a special grinding wheel and while it is very loud, it's really not a lot different than the Dremel type tool that is used at the spa on ladies who get their finger or toe nails done.  While human trips to the spa for this type of work is mostly driven by vanity, for the cows taking good care of their feet is extremely important in maintaining her overall health.  You see if a cow has a sore foot, she will not spend the time she should at the feed bunk or the water tank, meaning she will not be meeting her energy and nutrient requirements. 

Here's another video with some close up shots of the work that's done.

 

Perhaps we could start painting those hooves with OPI polish in colors like "Moolishus Mocha" or "Udderly Orange"!!