Milk
Blog

For Connecticut’s dairy farmers, providing fresh milk each day begins long before the sun rises. From the early morning, dairy farmers work hard to ensure that every aspect of their operation runs smoothly, their cows are taken care of, and they are practicing sustainability. This daily routine helps to maintain the legacy of dairy farming that has been passed down through generations. Their commitment ensures that the milk, cheese, and other dairy products are of the highest quality—products made with care, tradition, and pride.

Here are some of the daily practices on a Connecticut dairy farm:

Feeding the Herd: Nutrition is Key

CT Dairy Farmers start their day by feeding the herd, ensuring the cows receive a balanced diet tailored by nutritionists. These experts create customized meal plans that consider each cow’s health, age, milk production, and more. Most farms use a total mixed ration (TMR), blending ingredients like corn silage, haylage, grain, and soy meal, much like following a baking recipe to ensure the cows get the right nutrients. In return, they produce high-quality milk, rich in essential vitamins and minerals, benefiting both the environment and the community.

Milking Cows: The Heart of Dairy Farming

The rhythm of farm life truly comes alive during milking time. On many CT Dairy Farms, milking is enhanced with technology like robotic milking machines, which give cows the freedom to decide when and how often they’re milked. This gentle process reduces stress and ensures that each cow is comfortable and well-cared for. Cows can also enjoy massages from rotating brushes, adding to their daily comfort and relaxation. By combining tradition with modern technology, farmers ensure that the milking process produces high quality milk and nurtures the well-being of the cows.

Monitoring Animal Health: Precision and Care

Maintaining a healthy herd is a top priority, and technology helps to play an important role on many farms. Technology, such as electronic collars can track each cow’s well-being and allows farmers to closely monitor their cows. Early detection helps prevent health issues before they arise, ensuring that the cows receive prompt care. In addition to this technology, veterinarians visit the farms regularly to check the herd.

Cleaning and Bedding: Comfort Comes First

Along with ensuring cows are healthy, farmers also make sure they are comfortable. Fresh bedding is laid down, and the barns are cleaned to provide a clean and safe environment. This daily routine reflects their commitment to ensure their cows are always in the best condition, day and night.  These simple acts of care ensure that the cows rest well, leading to better milk production and overall well-being.

Maintaining the Farm: The Backbone of Daily Operations

Maintaining the farm is a never-ending job for dairy farmers, and it plays a crucial role in the comfort and well-being of their cows. Barns are cleaned, and the equipment is checked to ensure everything runs smoothly on a regular basis. Clean and safe environments are essential to the health of the animals. During hot summer days, the farmers even use fans or misters to ensure that the herd stays cool. This daily care ensures that the farm operates efficiently and that the cows remain happy and healthy.

Caring for the Crops: Sustaining the Cycle

Beyond tending to their herds, CT Dairy Farmers devote a significant amount of time to caring for their crops. Growing their own feed allows farmers to ensure the quality of what their cows consume, which directly impacts the milk they produce. By carefully nurturing both the soil and the crops, they sustain a cycle that supports their entire farm operation, ensuring that the cows receive the best feed while practicing environmentally sustainable methods such as cover cropping and sustainable technology like methane digestors.

For more information on 5 Sustainable Farm practices click here.

Bringing Dairy to the Market: From Farm to Family

For many CT Dairy Farmers, the connection between farm and community extends beyond the fields and barns. Some farms operate their own stores, offering fresh milk, cheese, and other dairy products directly to local families. By selling their products on-site, they ensure that the community enjoys fresh dairy, while also fostering a deeper understanding of where their food comes from. It’s a meaningful way for farmers to share their labor and create bonds with the people who depend on their high-quality dairy.

For CT Dairy Farmers, their work goes beyond the routine tasks—it’s about upholding a legacy, nurturing their animals, and staying deeply connected to the land. As Shelby Washburn from Laurelbrook Farm shares:

“My passion is to provide our animals with the best possible care and nutrition. I love to research and try new techniques and technology to improve our farm and animal care. I feel our farm is able to measure our success by the health and comfort of our herd. Our farm holds our family relationships and animal husbandry over anything else.”