A good way to spend a wild, windy,chilly day--indoors
What a miserable day it was outside today. I think it was the worst day of the winter, and it should almost be spring!! The wind was terrible, driving snow into my face and taking my breath away as I plowed snow and fed round bales. I wondered if the cows would even venture out of the barn to eat the bales in the barnyard, being content to eat the hay we feed inside in the feed bunk.
Luckily I spent the time between milkings at a livestock workshop held at a nearby restaurant. What a nice place to be on a day like today. The workshop was put on by Crystal Creek, Inc. and was co-sponsored by St. Albans Cooperative Creamery & Store. Crystal Creek markets health products for livestock, with many of their products being allowed for use on organic farms. Crystal Creek's president, Dan Leiterman, a livestock nutritionist, and Dr. Guy Jodarski, their staff veterinarian and director of research, were the featured speakers. They covered a wide variety of health topics, including internal parasite control, immune system support, mastitis treatment and prevention, respiratory problems, and calf health.
Over twenty farmers were in attendance. Most of the farmers were organic dairy producers, but there were several sheep farmers and a couple of conventional dairy producers in the audience as well. Dan Leiterman did state that 60% of their business is with non-organic clients. Many Crystal Creek products are made from botanicals, whey extracts, and colostrum. These products have none of the harmful effects or witholding times that antibiotics do when used to treat milking animals. More information on their products can be found on their website, www.crystalcreeknatural.com.
As with any farmer meeting, it was nice to get out and renew old aquaintences and hear what other farmers are up to. I brought home some good information, and some good ideas on how to treat some of the health problems that my cows challenge me with once in a while.
--Jonathan, Howmars Farm
Franklin, Vermont
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Posted by Blogger Chris at March 11, 2005 07:39 PM
Brrrr, I can't imagine what those animals endure in the cold winters. Here in Michigan, it's still snowing and we're so ready for spring, as I'm sure you all are. You impress me so much with your lifestyle and compassion for your animals. I realize they are your livelihood, but you treat them more like pets than just working profit. I have the utmost respect for you, your family and people like you. You keep an age old lifestyle alive. Bless you all!!
Jonathan Gates reports from Howmars Farm in Franklin, Vermont.