Virtual field trip held at dairy farm

BOSWELL, Ind. — American Dairy Association Indiana hosted a virtual field trip to Poland Dairy, an event attended by more than 2,700 students.

Farmer Michael Poland moved his dairy herd to Indiana in 2002 after attending Purdue University.

“We milk about 310 cows and also around 300 young stock, including calves and cows that are almost ready to be milked,” Poland explained.

“Shortly after they’re born, calves are moved into individual pens. That way they have a clean, dry area for individual attention, where they aren’t pestered by neighbors or older siblings.

“Everybody gets their vaccines and good nutrition. Everybody also gets a name and a number. If it’s cold, we give them a little jacket to keep them warm.”

As the cows grow, they’re transitioned into group pens. They learn how to socialize with other calves.

Their diet changes from milk to water, silage and grain.

“From there, they go into another building we’re the mainly grouped by age — sort of like a classroom,” Poland said. “At about 2 years of age, they have their first calf. They are moved to this building.

“We start milking them. Our priority with our cows of all ages is that they have a clean, comfortable, well-ventilated area. We take care of them and want them to have the best life they can have.”

The cows are kept in large, open buildings where they have room to move around.

Cows are social animals, Poland said, and enjoy being around other cows.

Providing a good diet to cows is a critical part of dairy farming.

“We give them high quality, nutritious food,” Poland said. “That’s a major key to keep them as healthy as possible. A healthy cow is also a profitable cow.

“Cows don’t eat the same kind of food we do. They only eat plants. About two-thirds of their food is grown on site. About a third is purchased.”

Learn more amount dairy farming in Indiana at winnersdrinkmilk.com.

Time For A Quiz

1. How many pounds of food does a dairy cow eat each day?

A. About 10 pounds

B. About 40 ponds

C. About 100 pounds

2. How long does it take to milk a cow each time?

A. About 10 minutes

B. About 30 minutes

C. About an hour

Answers: 1=C, 2=A