When most people think of this time of year, images of baby chicks and bunnies may come to mind. In fact, we have baby goats and chicks on our farm right now. Not to mention, the beef cows are in the peak of their calving season.
As far as our dairy cows are concerned, this season is just like any other. Most dairies don’t calve seasonally; we are equipped to calve year-round, which allows for a consistent farm milk yield and replacement heifer supply.
Calving in all seasons in the Midwest means we need versatile facilities that are able to keep newborn calves warm in the dead of winter, while staying cool and well-ventilated in the stifling summer months. Not only does our calf housing need to be optimal, but we also need to consider similar factors in our dry cow, pre-fresh, and post-fresh housing.
While we do end up with busier months of the year for calvings on our farm, we don’t strategize for that to be the case. Most of the other species have a set birthing season, which is a lot all at once. I appreciate spreading out calvings throughout the year with dairy cows because we’re able to keep a better eye on all the calves instead of being overwhelmed with too many at once. Having a few calves born each day is more manageable for facilities, and when it comes to feeding them.
Regardless of when they are born or how many come in a given day, farmers of all kinds are dedicated to nurturing young livestock and getting them the care they need from the moment they arrive. Being caretakers for such vulnerable beings is both challenging and rewarding, with its own set of highs and lows.
The author dairy farms with her parents and brother near Hawkeye, Iowa. The family milks approximately 300 head of grade Holstein cows at Windsor Valley Dairy LLC — split half and half between a double-eight parallel milking parlor and four robotic milking units. In the spring of 2020, Molly decided to take a leap and fully embrace her love for the industry by returning full time to her family’s dairy.
