Growing up with California’s Happy Cows

My involvement with the dairy industry started much earlier than I can remember. I actually got my first calf, Miss Molly, when I was just under two years old. Some of my favorite childhood memories are of times spent running around the dairy. My favorite activity, hands down, was playing in the piles of cottonseed! I am sure that those of you who grew up on dairies know exactly what I am talking about. My cousins and I used to have the time of our lives racing to the top then either rolling down or jumping off of the soft commodity.

What we did not know, or really care about as eight-year-olds, is that cottonseed is an important part of a dairy cow's diet. It is a very concentrated source of energy, which is important to include in dairy cow rations. What is even more interesting, cottonseed is considered a byproduct. When the cotton is harvested, the seed is separated from the white, fluffy cotton. The cotton is sent off to be made into clothes and blankets for you and I, but what about the seed? Cottonseed is actually toxic to humans, our simple stomachs are unable to digest it. Yet the cow, with her magnificent ruminant system of four stomachs, is able to turn it into a great source of nutrition!

Cottonseed is not the only byproduct or ot;leftover" product that cows can consume, extract nutrients that monogastricts could not, and eventually turn into the wholesome, nutritious, and tasty food we call milk! Some people claim that cows eat too much food; food that could be fed to the human population. However, much of the food that is fed to cows is indigestible or unappealing to us. Feeds like almond hulls, distillers grain, beet pulp, and poor quality roughages are perfect for cows. The cows use what we cannot and turn it into a nutrition packed food! Not only are these wonderful creatures the "Foster Mother of the Human Race," they are also some of the best recyclers that I know!

Another fun thing to do on the dairy was have the cows "eat you." This was accomplished after the total mixed ration (TMR) had been put into the mangers and the cows were coming back from the milk barn, hungry. We would slide into the manger and cover ourselves in the mix. Then we would wait. Eventually, an unsuspecting cow would venture upon our spot and eat the feed off of us. Or, as we would pretend, she would "eat us." This was about as messy as playing in the cottonseed. We would get absolutely covered in the hay and grain mixture.

Now that I am older and responsible for feeding some of the cows and heifers, I can appreciate the Total Mixed Ration for more than just a place to play pranks on the cows. I now know that my grandpa, and all the other dairy farmers, takes a great amount of time formulizing each cows' individual ration. Even though a cow will eat over fifty pounds of feed each day, they have very specific needs that need to be fulfilled. Most farmers even hire a nutritionist for their dairy to analyze the cow's nutrition requirements based on her age, how long she has been lactating (producing milk), and how much milk she is giving each day. It is important to farmers that their cows are fed a healthy, filling diet.

Of course, I also had some "chores" to do on the dairy. I was always excited when my grandma asked me to help feed the calves (she was probably also excited to get me out of her hair!). Depending on their age, the calves get fed milk 2-3 times a day. We would also go up and down the rows of calves making sure their bedding was clean, putting fresh water in their buckets, and giving them grain. Most dairies have a special area designated as the nursery. Some people, who see the calf pens for the first time, wonder why each of the calves are separated? Well, we separate the calves for sanitary reasons. If one calf gets sick, we do not want the bacteria to spread between the calves. It is important to keep this area separate and very clean, because, just like human babies, calves can get sick very easily. At our dairy, each calf has its own personal pen, a shelter filled with straw and an area outside to lay in the beautiful California sunshine.

My second favorite chore was checking the "close up" cows (cows that are due to calve soon). I felt very important with such a big responsibility. These mothers to be are in a special barn, like the maternity ward in a hospital. And, just like a maternity ward, the cows are checked every couple of hours, just like clockwork. Now that I am older, and have had the pleasure of waking up in the middle of the night to check the close ups, I can fully appreciate the tremendous amount of dedication that dairy farmers have for their cows.

Whether it is raining, the middle of the night, or on the way to an important event, dairy producers give their cows the highest priority. I can hardly begin to describe to you the astounding concern that producers have for their cows' well being. If you are a parent, you can probably understand the selfless feeling of getting up in the middle of the night to care for your child. Dairy producers feel the same about their cows; they do not think twice about getting up in the middle of the night to assist a cow giving birth. The only concern on their mind is making sure that the mother and her calf are safe and healthy.

Dairying is much more than an occupation, it is a lifestyle. It is a lifestyle that only those who truly love cows will choose. Dairy farmers are not in this business to become millionaires, because, trust me, they will not. They choose to become dairy producers because of a desire to carry on the family tradition, to lead a simple but happy life, or to act on their passion of this amazing industry.

I sometimes get the questions about "are California cows really happy?." The best way that I can think to explain this is by explaining dairy management. The goal of all producers is to create a safe, comfortable environment for their cows. Cows that are happy and unstressed produce the best. Mistreating or having cows live in less than ideal conditions is bad business management. Our livelihood depends on our cows' health! We hire experts to create nutrition plans for our cows, something that most people do not even do for themselves. We pay attention to biosecurity and sanitation for the calves, because we know that for healthy cows we need to have healthy calves. Our soon-to-be mothers are given extra special care. The amount of dedication that producers have for their cows is evident by these management practices, as well as the hundreds of other ways that they go out of their way for a cow's well being. This lifestyle is not an easy one. Someone would not choose this way of life if they did not really love their cows. So, yes, I stand very strongly by the statement that California's cows really are Happy Cows!

I strongly encourage you to learn more about the California dairy industry. The California Milk Advisory Board's website (www.realcaliforniamilk.com) has great resources! I especially recommend the People section. You can meet producers from all over the state and learn how they strive to make their cows happy. Many counties also have farm tours and ag days. I highly recommend taking any opportunity that you can to learn more about how your milk is produced! Not only will you gain a new appreciation for dairy producers, but you will also agree that California has Happy Cows!

Regards,

Mandy Brazil, District Three First Alternate Dairy Princess