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Cows at Feed Bunk

Jersey cows, the breed milked at Dutch Hollow Farm, are known for their rich milk, which is higher in protein than the milk produced by Holstein cows.

Typical Jersey

Jersey cows are also known for their curiosity and friendly demeanor. If you don't watch out, they could just lick you to death!

Cute Baby Calf

Baby calves are always a hit with everyone because they are just so cute!

Calf Hutches

Calves are raised in individual pens in a barn until they are weaned, then moved to group pens.

Feeding Time

In these pens, they will be cared for individually, fed milk twice a day and introduced to a grain mix and water. Each calf has an eartag that she will wear for life. The identification allows dairy farmers to better care for their animals, documenting parentage, health, milk yield and more.

Jersey Heifers in Barn

These heifers are about a year old.

Milking Parlor

Cows are milked in a parlor. . .

Milking Machine

. . .with machines like these.

Freestall Barn

They spend the rest of their time in a freestall barn sleeping on mattresses with sawdust bedding.

Maternity Pen

Cow comfort and care is paramount at Dutch Hollow Farm, especially for mothers-to-be like these, who are within a week of having a calf.

Close-up Cows

They are carefully watched during this time to ensure a healthy baby calf is born and receives colostrum within hours of birth.

Winter Newborn Calf

Baby calves born in the winter require special care. They are placed under a heating lamp shortly after birth and wear blankets to keep warm.

Newborn

This calf was born just minutes ago. . .

Newborn Selfie

. . .with a face only a mother could love.

All Cleaned Up

But, after a bath from her mother's tongue, a good meal and nap, she'll be ready to face the world.

Farm Equipment Showing

Some of the equipment at Dutch Hollow Farm on display for a farm event.

Bunker Silo

Feed is now commonly stored in "silos" that are on the ground rather than upright.

Cutting Hay

Alfalfa is fed to the cows as either hay or haylage. Hay is produced by cutting the alfalfa . . .

Raking Hay

. . .and raking it into windrows. The alfalfa is then dried and baled.

Chopping Haylage

Alfalfa is also made into haylage, which is a moist form of alfalfa. It is chopped on the field and fermented in a silo.

Haylage
Forage Quality

As with human diet, the quality of the cow's diet is paramount for health. Forages like hay, haylage and corn silage form a bulk of the dairy cow's diet.

Haylage Harvest
Soybean Harvest

Soybeans are also raised and harvested at Dutch Hollow Farm. The typical order of harvest for farmers in New York is hay, soybeans and corn. If they are lucky, farmers may get four harvests of hay during a single season. Each harvest is called a "cutting."

Chopping Corn Silage

Corn stalks and ears are harvested for corn silage. . .

Storing Corn Silage

. . .and then stored in large silos on the ground. The corn silage is covered with plastic that is then weighted down with tires.

Corn Combine

Corn is also harvested when is it mature as a source of energy in the cow's diet. The stalks are used as bedding.

Night Harvest

Because timing is critical when harvesting crops and because weather changes, farmers often spend long days harvesting, even into the wee hours of the morning.

Sunset

The long hours are made up for with beautiful sunrises and sunsets, views typically seen only in rural America.

Rainbow

Rain not only helps to grow crops, but also brings rainbows.

Hauling Manure

Manure from the animals is transferred from the barn to a spreader, where it will be applied to the fields. Manure adds organic material and nutrients to the soil and reduces the need for purchased fertilizers.

At the Fair

For kids who grow up on farms, spending time with their animals and friends at the fair makes up for the hard work and responsibilities that come from operating a farm.

Fair Fun
Lydia and Kitty
Napping with Your Cow

One wonders: who is more tired from all the hard work and excitement at the fair....kids or cows?

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Cows at Feed Bunk
Typical Jersey
Cute Baby Calf
Calf Hutches
Feeding Time
Jersey Heifers in Barn
Milking Parlor
Milking Machine
Freestall Barn
Maternity Pen
Close-up Cows
Winter Newborn Calf
Newborn
Newborn Selfie
All Cleaned Up
Farm Equipment Showing
Bunker Silo
Cutting Hay
Raking Hay
Chopping Haylage
Haylage
Forage Quality
Haylage Harvest
Soybean Harvest
Chopping Corn Silage
Storing Corn Silage
Corn Combine
Night Harvest
Sunset
Rainbow
Hauling Manure
At the Fair
Fair Fun
Lydia and Kitty
Napping with Your Cow
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