The Surrogate Cow

Just the other day, when I was trying to capture a calf birthing on video, in the calf barn {which I missed by the way} I snapped a few photos of a baby calf nursing on mama.  How picture perfect and mama wasn't too concerned that I was standing only a few feet from her and the baby.

But the most interesting thing about this photo is, this was not her own calf.

It is interesting that some cows will allow any calf to suckle, while there are others who will push away a calf that is not her own.  This cow is just happy to have any calf nursing off her to relieve her of her milk? 

It's no wonder why dairy cows seem to really enjoy and look forward to milking time in the milking parlor twice a day.

This cute little calf {one of a set of twins} followed this mama everywhere, even though her own mama was in the same barn.

From what I've witnessed with the calves, their top priority is to find milk.  Whether it be from a cow, a bottle or a bucket, they seem to be satisfied if the end result finds them some milk to drink.  And after drinking milk or eating, a nice, long nap is in order.

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A Kid and a Calf

There is almost nothing I enjoy more than watching my kids interact with animals.  Especially farm animals.   With dairy calves, just the kindness of them with a child is so pleasurable to watch.

A baby with a baby. 

Remember Brittney?  Well on our 'Secret Tunnel ranch walk' the other day, Paige insisted that we visit her at the calf barn.  It wasn't necessary to insist at all because I'm always up for a visit to the calf barn.

We love Brittney.  She's so interactive with us.  Even though Paige fed the calves a little snack of alfalfa, which is in the feeder underneath her, Brittney still took the time to give Paige some love.......and licks.

She gave me some also.

Brittney has the perfect temperament as a prospect to enter in the county fair.......if only my kids were old enough.  Hmmm, maybe I can talk my nephew, Gavin, into choosing Brittney as his heifer entry this upcoming fair season.  We'll see.

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Desert Dairy Farming

A few days ago, a friend of ours, Bob, emailed photos he received via email to me about dairy farming in the dessert.  The Saudi Arabia dessert.  Al-Safi is the world's largest integrated dairy farm where 37,000 cows are milked.  I can't even imagine!

Some of the information I found regarding the Al-Safi Dairy from the online resource of Farming UK includes:

• Refrigeration units are needed to maintain an 80.6F temperature in the cow barns and mobile sunscreens protect the cows from scorching heat.
• The farm produces 220m litres of milk per annum, which supplies one-third of the country’s needs.
  
• Water is pumped from under ground at the temperature of 158F.  Originally it was pumped from 200 meters underground and now from 2,000 meters.

• Saudi Arabia transformed itself in the 1980s into a significant wheat producer. The government guaranteed farmers a purchase price higher than the world market price and the country became self-sufficient in 1984.

Here are some of the photos emailed to me.  Name of photographer is unknown to me, but would love to give him credit.......

105,000 includes all Saudi Arabia dairy farms combined.

Definitely shows dairy farming at a whole new level.  We milk a little over 200 cows at our own family dairy farm.


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Even the Heifers & Dairy Cows Are Enjoying The Indian Summer

It's mid November, you would expect it to be rainy, cold and about 50 degrees out here in northern California, but not this year, not this November.  Just when I put away my summer clothes and began wearing boots, scarves and cozy coats, I had to bring out the summer pants, flip flops and paint my toenails again because it's 80 degrees!

I don't dare complain about it though.  I know what's around the corner, even as close as this up-coming weekend.  I'll just enjoy it while we have it and be thankful for this sunny, Indian summer weather.  Maybe more of my green tomatoes will ripen?  We'll see.

You know who else is enjoying the sunny weather?  Take a look at these girls.......  



If only I could read their mind.  I imagine they're thinking it's great to live here.  We're out on pasture, it's sunny and warm, AND we have fresh, new, sweet and tender green grass to graze upon from all the rain we had in October!

I, myself had to take a walk up the hill behind our home to pay the girls a little visit {no bull in sight}.  Cows are the most curious animals.  They are very trusting and walk right up to you, unafraid and gentle.

Here they come, all of them.

I'm pretty sure if I had stayed around a little longer, they would have used me for a salt lick.

But instead, I walked back down the cow trail to the house.

And look who was waiting for me!  Little Miss Chloe, the wanna-be-cow-dog.

Happy Tuesday!
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