Touring a dairy farm as a classroom, family, or tour group can be a fun and educational way to see dairy cows up close and identify with the farmers who produce the wholesome dairy products your family enjoys.

“We learned so much!”

“I never knew what a cow ate for breakfast before today!”

“We got to see a cow being milked!”

“This was such a delightful time getting to know the farmers that make our milk!”

These are just some of the things we’ve been hearing this summer as we walk our tours around our family’s dairy farm. We want to educated and answer all of our questions about our family dairy farm. 🙂

Take a personal tour of your own!

 

Why tour a dairy farm:

#1 Get to know your farmer and their family!

#2 Understand what a cow is and how she produces milk

#3 Notice what the cow eats

#4 Learn things about a farm you never knew before!

Frequently Asked Questions!

How much does a cow eat and drink?

The average dairy cow drinks between 25 to 30 gallons of water and eats about 100 pounds of feed, hay and silage every day. But nothing goes to waste on a dairy farm. Farmers recycle cows’ manure as fertilizer for crops and reuse water multiple times to cool the milk, wash the barn and irrigate crops.

How long are cows milked?

Most dairies milk cows two or three times per day, which generally takes less than 10 minutes. Cows get to spend the rest of their day napping on water or sand beds, eating a well-balanced diet, and chewing their cud.

Does it hurt cows to be milked?

No, it’s actually a relief for cows to empty their udders. Milking machines provide a light suction that pulsates to gently allow the milk to release. Cows often line up on their own to have their udders cleaned and milked! Learn about the different types of milking parlors.

When do cows have calves?

When a heifer (girl calf) grows up and is about two years old, she has a calf and produces milk for 10 months. Then she is dry (does not produce milk) for two months and rests prior to having another calf.

Why are calves kept in individual pens?

Keeping calves safe and healthy is top priority for dairy farmers as they are the future of their herd. Calves are kept in individual pens until they are strong enough to be moved to group pens with other calves. Dairy farmers also do this to provide individualized care to each calf, like bottle feeding them several times a day, monitoring for weight gain and checking for any signs of illness.

Does chocolate milk come from brown cows?

Chocolate milk – or any flavored milk – is white cow’s milk with added flavoring. So, chocolate milk can come from any breed of dairy cow!

If you haven’t had the chance to visit a dairy farm on a tour, you can still learn more about the farm families near you.

 

HEARTY SOL RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE:

 

How to make a Sour Dough Starter

How to make Strawberry Ice Cream Topping!

Making your own Mozzarella Cheese!

Thanks for stopping by! Cheers,