For those that would care to have a little more explanation as to why it is so difficult to keep cows and calves together, I offer a short synopsis. 

In a rotational grazing,100% grass fed model, cows are kept in with a single strand of electric roping approximately 2 feet off the ground. Since the cows are moved once or twice every day seven days a week, having a more complicated electric fence becomes very impractical. So calves tend to come and go under the line and often times get into mischief! If you have animals, you know that they are constantly looking for ways to create or get into trouble. It is our job to try to referee this energy and at least keep some assemblance of order. 

The second problem we run into is that certain mamas only want to nurse certain babies and when their calf gets weaned and we seek to give them another calf, they may decide that they don't like the look of that new baby. Then we have to try to encourage them to accept the new calf by holding the mama still and trying to keep her from kicking the new baby. 

The third problem we face is the very young calves trying to nurse on the older calves that are near weaning age. If young calves attempt to nurse these older heifers, even though they are not in milk, it can create damage to the mammary system. Quarters can be rendered useless and never make milk if not addressed properly. This is a pretty serious problem and what works one time to prevent it does not necessarily work the next time. 

The fourth problem we face is if the mamas have too much milk for the number of calves that we have available for them, then we bring some of the mamas into the parlor and milk them so that we can retrieve the milk for ourselves. The problem with this is that some mamas will give you the extra milk freely and then there are those that will lock down their milk in order to save it for their babies. So that extra milk that you thought you were going to get to sell, mama decided to keep. Yes, she can lock down her milk if she so desires!

I probably could go on endlessly but I think you get the point. There is nothing like farming and we love the challenge of it. Don't be discouraged by my saying that we face problems. We love every minute of it and the system with the mamas and the calves is absolutely the greatest and we plan on sticking with it no matter how many obstacles we have to overcome!! 100% grass fed, all A2A2, 100% registered Jerseys and mamas actually taking care of babies. Our goal is to produce the highest quality milk possible for your family and ours:)

Thank you farm friends for purchasing our milk each week. You are what keeps us thriving and we appreciate each and everyone of you!!

See you soon!

Daniel, Susan and Anna

David, Willie, Ellie, Heidi and Laura