I (DON'T) KNOW MOMMY: Long Meadow Farm Tour

Noelle, Lily, and I were lucky enough to go on a dairy farm tour today. It was sponsored by LiveWell Colorado and Western Dairy Association. We met at the WDA office in Thornton and rode a bus to the Long Meadow Farm run by the Feldpausch Family. It was so much fun! The Feldpausch family was really welcoming and friendly.

Riding on a charter bus! Lily wasn't nearly as excited as I hoped/thought she would be. She was such a stinker both going there and coming back.

Such an amazing view! Very stinky though.

Cows getting milked. These particular cows are brand new to this farm and still getting used to their new environment. The cows are milked robotically. The machine cleans the udders, milks the cow, and then cleans again.

The milk is gathered and measured in the "basement" below where the milking is going on.

This vat/container holds fresh milk. There was only a very small amount in it when we looked.

CALVES!! The kids just loved the calves. Most of them were afraid of us, but a few were very friendly and wanted the children's attention. This one thoroughly slimed Noelle.

Lily found a friend. She wasn't scared of them at all.

On the farm the calves are taken from Mom immediately. They never nurse from a cow, but instead are bottle fed for a short time until they can move on to feed and water. Each calf has it's own little pen. The majority of the male calves are sent from the farm early on and are usually used for ground beef. Apparently dairy cows are not high quality meat. My understanding is that they keep a few bulls around to "finish the job" when a sire brought in for that purpose fails. LOL!

Me and my girls! Also, the 20 week baby belly.

Lily tried to run right into this cow pen. No fear from this kid.

The Feldpausch family was nice enough to allow us to eat lunch in the yard of their home. LiveWell Colorado provided us with cold water, various flavors of milk, and an ice cream sundae bar!