Puberty....

Next we'll meet the calves who are entering puberty... they're no longer cute cuddly calves, but aren't quite mammas yet, otherwise known as the East Group (creative, huh?).  Around 6 months they get to move up to this group.  At this point, they're just working on getting bigger, so they can become mamma. 

 

Next comes the heifer group, where each heifer has a chance to become a mamma!  Around 15 months they're bred.  We use Artificial Insemination (AI), which means we use semen from different bulls that we purchase.  The genetics of both the mamma heifer and daddy bull are analyzed, therefore hopefully making the best mating possible - you want a healthy, good milk producing cow!
 

 The benefits of AI aren't limited to improving the genetics of the animals we have on the farm.  It also helps with planning, because we know when we bred a cow.   Not to mention that we don't have to deal with any live ornery bulls!

Every couple months our vet comes to "preg check", or check to see who's pregnant.  I am amazed that by just putting his hand/arm in the cow's uterus he can tell usually within 3 days of when we bred the cow how far along she is!  Speaking of our vets and others who help us out....

Did You Know... that it's estimated that more than 26,000 Iowa jobs are provided by the dairy industry – including jobs on dairy farms, by dairy processors and other services that benefit and aid the dairy industry—resulting in more than $1.5 billion contributed annually to Iowa’s economy.