I'm a dairy farmer. Ask me a question

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We homogenize it but that's it. After we ship it out, it's up to our co-op to decide where it goes. Sometimes it goes to Green Bay to be turned into butter. Sometimes to Pennsylvania to be turned into Hershey's products, sometimes it goes to Indiana to be sold via gallons of milk, etc

Thanks for your response. We were king in the 70s. How many pounds per day per cow average now days?

Sorry, I forgot to answer that one. Our herd average is about 80 pounds/cow/day.

No, I'm pretty sure its BGH. Scientists at Monsanto spliced E-Coli bacteria and cow dna to make a inject-able substance that causes the metabolism of the cow to be much faster, thus produce more milk.

WOW, that has gone way up.

Wow, I've never heard of that.

We have a great herdsman and a really good nutritionist, plus we grow our own crops so we have control on the quality of feed. What was the average back in the 70's? Have you been to a bigger farm recently? The technological advancements are unreal.

Good on you and karma delivered. Thanks again!

Thanks for the karma, guys! What exactly does it mean?

Thank you for your response.

Are you married--you said no kids.

Are you happy with farming?

Do you keep any milk for your own use--like raw milk or milk to make your own butter or do you buy your own milk back after it's processed?

Do you want kids?

Do you have plans to change your operations or stay pretty much the same?

How old are you?

Planting season--hay and straw for your cows?

Do you have any other animals Dogs, cats, goats, chickens?

Do you save some cattle for your own use (to eat)?

Are your families farms all connected or close?

Your relatives kids--home schooled or public school?

I've heard the farmers life is very hard, how many hours do you work a week?

Do you barter with neighbors? Like mild for chicken eggs?

Thanks so much!!

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55 to 60 lbs. No I haven't but have watched a show on TV of a modern dairy farm, and was amazed at the changes. We, SURGE, were ahead of everyone back then. De laval was copying our tech. I loved the business. I grew up on a dirt farm so I just fell in love with the smell of a dairy farm. Pigs, nope.

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What vaccines do you give your calves and cows?

1. Not married, have a girlfriend though.
2. I love farming. I'm outside everyday, I get to keep in shape without going to the gym (I actually get paid to do it, it's hard work but very fulfilling, and I'm proud to continue the work my dad, and his dad, and his dad's dad started.
3. I'll get a jug of milk for cereal and occasionally just to drink, but I'm not a HUGE fan of milk. I don't buy it in the store, but I do buy butter. I don't turn our milk into cheese or butter myself.
4. I do want kids
5. I'm 29
6. About 400 acres of alfalfa and 800 acres of corn
7. I have an awesome golden retriever named Zeus
8. I don't, but my brother raises steers and sells beef. I buy some from him and it's literally the best meat I've ever had.
9. My family owns 1 farm. 2 of my 3 brothers work on it with me.
10. Public
11. It is very hard. My hours per week vary greatly. During the winter (currently) I'm at 40 hours a week, but during spring and summer I average between 50-60, and during harvest it can get over 70 hours a week. Of course, it varies due to weather/mechanical problems.
12. No we don't barter. Not really a need.a

I'd honestly give you the answer if I knew it, but that's one of the few areas where I'm unsure of.

We actually had a few different production companies come to our farm with interest in doing a reality show and a mini documentary, but it didn't pan out. Probably for the better. People turn into huge douche bags when they are on TV, I might not have been any different.

Rbh referred to above is rbst. Uts use is extremely low Now. It is safe for cow and people but all but gone these days. Cows on modern farms are very Well cared for . Tech is getting used at a very high rate it would amaze you but it still reuires extremely long hours. I left t'he farm last summer. 80 hours per week is normal. Now i Sell supplies to dairy farners someres as large as 11000 milking cows and they are all family owned and operated with extremely good care to t'he animals producing a safe high quality product .
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You're right. Farming isn't as bad as what people make it out to be. Everyone would be amazed at the hoops you have to jump through to make sure all the agencies are happy.

Vau cines typically are for ecoli pnumonia dhiarea std s in cattle among or others .

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I couldn't agree more, my husband always calls them "unreality shows", it gets sad to see what people will do for money.

Thank you again for answering all my tedious questions, but really is great to get to know you a bit--glad you enjoy your work, I believe our society is worse for wear because so many don't have a deep family grounding like farmers on land that has been in the family for many generations.

I love milk,and chocolate and just wanted to say thanks!

What are hay prices like in your area this year?

We are paying up to $80 for a 800 lb 4x5 round, last year more like $25.

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You're very welcome!

We grow our own so I couldn't tell you. I did hear from other people that it's pretty outrageous though.

you ever fist your cows for any reason?... And wouldn't that be considered animal abuse?..

Or is the word "abuse" abused?

what was the hay yield like in your area last year?
We were about 60% of normal here in central ontario.

I'd say %60 is an accurate estimate of our alfalfa yield last year.