By Kimmi Devaney of Winners Drink Milk
https://www.kfb.org/page/file?path=Files%2Fpage-161%2Ffarmers-ranchers%2FFarmAnimalCareFunFactSheet.pdf
"Have you ever wondered how farmers care for their animals?"
https://www.kfb.org/page/file?path=Files%2Fpage-161%2Ffarmers-ranchers%2FFarmAnimalCareFunFactSheet.pdf
"Have you ever wondered how farmers care for their animals?"
- Nutrition. Farmers work with animal nutritionists to make diets based on what the animals need. "It changes depending on age, life stage (stage of lactation, etc.), and other factors." The cows need nutrition to make the milk that we drink so nutrition is important.
- Medical Care. Veterinarians care for animals like how doctors help make people lives better. "They provide check-ups, vaccinations and treat animals when they are sick."
- Animal Comfort. "Happy animals are productive animals." "California is on to something when they talk about happy cows. Happy, comfortable cows produce more milk. And milk equals money." Therefore, it is to the upmost importance to provide safe and comfortable living conditions for cows and all animals. "They had sprinklers over the feed alleys to cool cows off (and encourage them to eat more feed), large fans in the free stalls to make their naps more comfortable (cows spend a considerable amount of time lying down, so it is important that they are as comfortable as possible!), and fans in the holding pen to cool cows off as they waited their turn to be milked." Some farmers use sand bedding and rubber matting to increase cow comfort. Farmers make it so that there animals are comfortable. They always care.
- Housing. "Dairy cows are generally housed according to age." It makes it easier to give better care cause every cow is different A second-lactation fresh cow or a cow that just gave birth has different needs than a growing 10-month-old heifer or a female who has not had a baby.. "Dairy farmers separate cows and calves to provide the best individual care for each." Calves receive colostrum (the first milk after a cow calves) as soon as possible to jump start their immune systems, and then receive milk for about two months. In the meantime, they are slowly transitioned off of milk and onto hay and grain (called the weaning process). "At the same time, the milk cows are fed high-energy diets to provide for their lactation requirements. Milk production requires a lot of energy!"
- Employees." Whether farm employees are family members or not," they care for the animals like they are their own. Working toward a relatable goal if that is high milk production, good milk quality, etc.—always has a way of bringing people together. Visiting with Animals is cool. "And of course, who can be upset when you are surrounded by adorable calves?"
- Take Home Message: "Famers depend on their animals for their livelihoods and they provide the best care for them as possible." This is one whole page.
Graphs:
Both graphs show that there are more migrant workers in michigan then any other type of worker. |
Quantitative nuemerical data above
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"Provide living conditions sufficient to meet the well being needs of the animal as appropriate to each species."
Provided by Kansas Farm Bureau.
Provided by Kansas Farm Bureau.
Sources Cited
- https://www.kfb.org/page/file?path=Files%2Fpage-161%2Ffarmers-ranchers%2FFarmAnimalCareFunFactSheet.pdf
- Chef Alex Young Zingerman’s Roadhouse
- Kansas Farm Bureau.
- Kimmi Devaney of Winners Drink Milk
- Google Images