Viper

Choiniere Family Farm

I’m a Holstein cow. As a calf I was cute and spunky, with tons of energy. You could often find me bossing the other calves around. It didn’t help that Hannah, my farmer’s daughter, loved to spoil me. She would give me all kinds of treats; my favorites are apples, lettuce, aloe pellets and cornmeal.

My birthday is March 9, 2006. I spent my first summer, the summer of 2006, training with Hannah for our local country fair through the 4-H. She worked hard to teach me how to walk slowly on a halter and to listen to her instruction. A halter is sort of like a leash but it is made especially for a cow. I am wearing one in my photo. The halter wraps around my nose, under my chin and around the back of my head. The first time Hannah put the halter on me, I didn’t know what to think. Hannah coaxed me forward and I took delicate steps. Once I was comfortable wearing it, I wanted to play and run around in circles with Hannah holding on. Many summer days were spent walking around the farm practicing. I just loved all of the attention.

On the day of the show both Hannah and I were excited and nervous. It was the first time either of us had participated in a competition. In the end we did a good job and had a fantastic time.