It takes a whole community to milk a cow. We too often take all the community support that it takes to milk a cow for granted.
Dairy farmers have to humble themselves and take time to recognize and thank all those who make the dairy farm work and help keep safe fresh milk flowing.
From the time the dairy farmer gets up in the morning, until getting back into the house at night, there are dozens of hard working people who help.
Before going to the barn, the snow plow driver had to get the road open for the farmer and employees to get to work. Some mornings, the sand truck also had to pass by. The milk tanker that picks up the milk also needs a trained, reliable driver to pick up the milk from the bulk tank and the refrigeration man had to help keep the tank working at 100 percent so the milk would always be kept cold.
Most dairy farms today depend on specially trained employees and students to help milk and someone must create a work schedule that suits the employees and ensures that there is always sufficient staff available to get cows fed and milked on time every day.
Before the feed is mixed and the cows fed, soil had to be tested and a soil and crop specialist advised the farmer to add different blends of fertilizers to grow crops low or high in different soil nutrients to grow special feeds for different animals needs. A cattle nutritionist had to make sure that all the different feeds were analyzed and special rations were prepared for each different group of cattle. Cows that are in peak production must get extra protein and energy, but also sufficient fiber to keep them healthy. Cows waiting to have a calf and are not milking must receive a diet low in potassium to prevent them getting the milk fever sickness when they calve. Calves and growing young heifers also get different diets.
The veterinarian is also a very important member of the team to help nurse sick animals back to health, just like people rely on their doctors when they are sick. When new calves are born, most births are uncomplicated but sometimes deliveries are hard and the veterinarian is relied on for an emergency.
Because most of the dairy runs on electricity; like the water pump, the milking machine, the fans, refrigeration, barn cleaners, computerized cow health trackers, milking parlors, lights, etc., dairy farmers depend on a constant supply of electricity, or they have to have a backup generator ready at all times.
The dairy equipment service technician is depended upon to make sure that the milking machines work perfectly every time that the switch is turned on or the automatic wash is used to keep the milking equipment perfectly clean.
Since between a quarter and a third of the dairy herd is turned over every year, because of sickness, reproduction problems, old age, or death, cattle buyers and abattoirs are a necessity to every farm business.
Although many of today’s dairy farms can do most mechanical work on the farm or have a full time mechanic on staff; diesel mechanic, tire repair service, hydraulic specialist, air conditioner technician, electrician, plumber, carpenter and even a computer repairman are all listed in the dairy farmers cell phone contacts list.
Today with many new pieces of farm machinery costing more than a half a million dollars, dairy farmers have a close relationship with one or more custom operators for planting, spraying, harvest, manure spreading, etc..
Most dairy farmers now use specialized farm accountants and farm bankers that understand the special needs of dairy farmers.
Rural schools and community colleges are a very special part of a farmer’s life. It is those learning centers who are depended upon to educate the farmers of tomorrow.
Our rural doctors are used to treating different injuries and diseases of farmers who rarely visit them but expect to go back to work immediately if not sooner.
Even though dairy farmers work every day with all kinds of weather, birth and death of animals, the soil and everything that lives in it or eats what it produces, and dealing with what is given, rural priests and ministers see and adapt to the different spiritual needs of farmers.
Dairy farmers should especially thank their non-farming neighbours for putting up with excessive dust, noise, smells, manure on the roads and excessively large, slow moving machinery on its way to the next field. It is with the help and understanding of an entire community that the cows get milked on time, a couple times a day, 365 days every year.
Today’s consumer has the choice of soy milk, nut milk, pea milk, and a dozen other options, but I like my dairy products run through a cow and get purified before I enjoy a cold glass of milk, put ice cream on my pie, or enjoy my old cheddar cheese.
Chris Judd is a farmer in Clarendon on land that has been in his family for generations.
gladcrest@gmail.com
