Keeping our Cows Warm in the Winter

We sure have been spoiled by great weather this year! The cows could not be happier with the abundance of green grass and mild days. Thinking back to the winter of 2018, we already had 7 inches of snow on the ground by mid-November! Here is a picture of one of my favorite Jersey calves, you’ll notice this cute little calf is wearing what we call a blanket or  jacket. (No we are not crazy, they actually make blankets for calves!) With temperatures dropping well below freezing and the wind chills that often come along with these storms, it is very important for us to keep our herd healthy which starts from the day they are born. Calves are born with little to no body fat, so it is extremely important that they are able to stay warm. We can help out by keeping their bellies full of warm milk and monitoring their environment, making sure they are in an area that is out of the wind and has dry bedding to nestle into.

Typically, we blanket our calves when the temperature drops below 35°F. While our winters may not be as harsh as say the extreme negative temperatures and feet of snow that Wisconsin gets every year, a dairy calf begins feeling the effects of “cold stress” at around 30-40°F. The negative effects of cold stress are further compounded by prolonged days or periods of cold temperatures when calves are not properly cared for. By making sure our calves not only start their lives out healthy, but are raised in a low stress and comfortable environment, we can ensure that they will grow up to be happy, healthy, strong girls producing the best milk for our cheeses for many years! Come by and grab a variety of cheeses to entertain friends and family or enjoy just yourself in your cozy blanket by the fire this holiday season!