The Bovine Bugle: Visitors pitch in to help; almost witness a birth

August 19, 2005

Visitors pitch in to help; almost witness a birth

Above: Stonyfield's CE-Yo Gary Hirshberg helps Jonathan move some fencing while out on a tour of the farm
with Stonyfielders and some representatives from our advertising agency.

Yesterday we hosted a farm tour for people from Stonyfield Farm and for people who work at the advertising agency that Stonyfield uses. Altogether, we had about a dozen in the group. We led them through the farm, showing them the facilities, the animals, and the pastures, and telling them what a typical day entailed for us. The group asked some great questions, and some really good dialog took place between everyone.

Gary, from Stonyfield, helped lead many of the discussions during the tour. He even gave me a hand in moving fence for the cows when we went down to the pasture to see the cows and talk about intensive grazing management. The group almost got to see a cow having her calf, but she didn't deliver until about half an hour after everyone left.

I think get-togethers like this are so important. The people visiting the farm get a much better understanding of what it takes us to produce the raw product for their dairy products. And we, as farmers, get a better understanding of what it takes to make and market these products so that we can be paid for our milk. Communication like this helps everyone involved in the process.

It may look like this cow is just taking it easy
on a nice summer's day, but she's actually
in labor and about to give birth!
The yellow chain around her neck indicates
that she's been taken out of the milking rotation
(saving her milk for the calf-to-come).

--Jonathan, Howmars Farm
Franklin, Vermont

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Here's the comment: "I love to read about your farm as I am sitting on the 47th floor of my Midtown Manhattan office building. It gives me a little break in the day and reminds me that there is more to life than spreadsheets and Starbucks! Thank you for taking the time to share your interesting life. By the way... I had Stonyfield yogurt for breakfast!!"

Posted by Blogger Chris at August 19, 2005 10:41 AM

Comments

It's a shame your visitors missed the calf being born. I just saw a calf born at the Wisconsin State Fair, and it was one of the most amazing things I've ever seen! I'm so jealous--the mother was walking around and eating just minutes before the calf was born! No epidural for her, I guess....(lol). Thanks for a great inside look at farm life and nature at work.

Posted by: Kathy at August 20, 2005 01:44 AM

I HOPE THAT CHAIN ISN'T HEAVY AND DOESN'T HURT HER NECK. TOO BAD YOU CAN'T USE HEMP MATERIAL AS AN INDICATOR. MY LAB LOVES HER EARTH DOG HEMP COLLAR.

AREN'T THE COWS PART OF YOUR FAMILY?

Posted by: JILL HUME at August 20, 2005 01:43 AM

Once again I am homesick for farm life! I remember every sow I had to reach in and pull out a large piglet from and the crazy dream I had of our Tamworth dropping her piglets as she walked through the pasture. That one came true and I miss my obstinate Val and her equally willfull piglets. Once again, thank you for giving my memory a nudge as I measure various components of sludge from the Town Waste Water Treatment Plant. I would rather smell pig manure than the influent of this plant! Thanks again for the "birth announcement". Your site always brings back the best of memories. Also, I have people looking for anything in the dairy department that says "Vermont Family Farms". Several diabetic friends are controlling their glucose much better with the organic/Stoneyfield yogurts. Keep up the spectacular work! Sincerely, Paula Fougere

Posted by: Paula Fougere at August 19, 2005 05:54 PM

I enjoyed the pics of the cows and the one in labor..I stumbled across this newsletter one day by accident and filled out the request to get it sent to my e..box.. I look so forward to reading it.. We have a small ranch here in clearwter florida.. we are surrounded by the city growing upon us..airport in our back yard and houses all around us and noone loves the livestock..so sad..We are going to move next year up to northern florida to have the peacefulness back and my other half will be starting vetinary school. Ours is a hobby farm but we love it.. I love reading about your life for its the big version of what we love...You people appear to be so real so honest..Its so strange how alittle newsletter that you can accidently stumble across can be so enjoyable..Oh by the way.. i have been raising a holstein steer since 24 hours old that i bought at a auction (he was in poor health) anyways he is now 8 months old and i love him to death..remember we are a hobby farm so he is my pet..My question is how to you suggestion getting him to stop pushing and pulling on you when under a halter..any ideas ?? If you ever have time to write back. It would greatly be appreciated.. take care..hope you continue to always write the news letter !!! deb in florida

Posted by: deb at August 19, 2005 05:37 PM