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<\/a>Double 6 Milking parlor<\/p><\/div>\n
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We milk the cows 2 times a day (4:00 a.m. and 4 p.m.) every day in a “double 6 parlor”. This means that there is a center alley where we stand and then an elevated space for six cows to walk in on each side (the cows udders will then be at a convenient height for milking). The parlor was constructed in 1975, remodeled in 2001 and remodeled again in 2017. In the parlor we currently utilize AIC Waikato technology and automatic take-offs. Our milk is picked up every other day and goes to the fluid milk bottling plant in Peoria, IL. We are proud members of the Prairie Farms Dairy cooperative.<\/p>\n
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The baby calves (less than 3 months old) are housed in our calf barn which was built in 2015. To learn more about the calf barn, click here<\/a>. The heifer calves are vaccinated twice and receive semi-annual boosters. We only raise heifer (female) calves, to learn why, click here<\/a>. <\/p>\n The cows and heifers (older than 6 months) are fed a total mixed ration (TMR). To learn more about our cow’s diet, click here<\/a>. The TMR mixer is just like your Kitchenaid mixer but much bigger!<\/p>\n MDF currently works closely with 3 veterinarians and a nutritionist to keep our cows healthy and comfortable. The heifers are grouped according to age. In 2011 we constructed a heifer barn which has 4 separate areas that can house 70-90 heifers depending on age. A dry cow \/ maternity barn was constructed in 2014. Live feed cameras are used in this barn to monitor calving. <\/p>\n A majority of the cows are bred through artificial insemination but we do have a bull if that is necessary. We are currently utilizing in-vitro fertilization with a few of our top cows, to learn about which ones click here<\/a>. Growing up, we showed our cows through 4-H and today we continue to compete at a few shows. You might see some of our animals at the Illinois State Fair, the All-American Dairy Show in Harrisburg, PA, the World Dairy Expo in Madison, WI or the North American Livestock Expo in Louisville, KY.<\/p>\n 2018 Grand Champion Ayrshire – Illinois State Fair<\/p>\n Our crop rotation is corn, soybeans, wheat and alfalfa. We grow 75% of the crops we feed our cows, the only exception would be grain by-products and additional vitamins and minerals which we purchase. The excess grain is sold to grain storage facilities and is transported via rail, barge or turned into ethanol. In regards to conservation efforts, we do minimum tillage and no-till on the highly erodible soil. Cover crops have also been implemented into the rotation. In the fall of 2011, we built a manure storage facility that is adjacent to the dairy. This storage facility holds 2.8 million gallons of manure which is applied to our fields as fertilizer in the fall.<\/p>\n<\/a>During the summer months, we are able to utilize pasture for the heifers, the dry cows, and the milking herd. We have two free stall barns (almost 16,000 square feet) so the cows have a choice as to where they spend their time. A free stall barn is a barn that houses dairy cows and provides the animals with a clean, dry, comfortable resting area and easy access to food and water. The cows are not restrained and are free to enter, lie down, get up and leave the barn whenever they desire. The newer free stall barn utilizes sand bedding. Yes, it\u2019s just like the beach and the cows enjoy putting their hooves in the sand.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n