What Makes a Cow Happy? My 4 Rules.

So what makes a cow happy?  Do you wonder that?  I am sure that you have seen the campaign ad that says  "Happy Cows Come from California" but what does that mean? 

Not only do happy cows come from California, but happy cows come from every state!  Minnesota, Iowa, Florida, Idaho.. you name it.  There are some happy cows there.

How do you define: "happy"?  For me, when I am laughing, I am pretty happy.  How about you?  How do you define happy for yourself?  Does money make you happy?  Do friends make you happy?  Do hobbies make you happy?  Happiness can be defined so many different ways for so many different people and animals.

In the dairy industry, we define a "happy cow" as a healthy, comfortable cow.  Many years of research by dairy scientists have helped dairy farmers around the world help make our cows more comfortable and healthy.  The research is still continuing and new management techniques and tools are developed yearly.

One thing that we as an industry has done is place a number of initiatives that demonstrate our commitment to animal well-being. In 2009, we launched the National Dairy FARM (Farmers Assuring Responsible Management) program: http://www.nationaldairyfarm.com/, a nationwide, verifiable animal well-being program that demonstrates U.S. milk producers are committed to the highest quality standards.

So what is a healthy, comfortable cow and how do dairy producers do this?   Here are the top 5 rules:

#1:  Healthy Diets

• Today's dairy cows are under the supervision of the dairy nutritionist.  This person comes to the dairy, evaluates the feed, and formulates a scientific, balanced and nutritious diet for the cows.  Diets can contain a variety of feedstuffs including hay, corn silage, grains, protein sources and vitamins and minerals.  I would love my own nutritionist... maybe I wouldnt eat so many cookies! :)
• Dairy farmers work hard throughout the year to harvest the feed for the cows.  It is very important that feed is harvesting in a timely manner to ensure freshness and quality.
• Here is a video of a dairy harvesting haylage:
• Another important part of a cow's diet is WATER.  Cows should have access to feed and fresh, clean water 24 hours a day.  A cow drinks a BATHTUB of water a day!  Water is a very important part of her diet.

#2:  Comfortable Housing

• There are many types of "houses" for cows you may see driving in rural America. 

#3:  Routine Medical Care:

• Dairy cows are under the direct supervision of a herd veterinarian.  This individual is in charge of periodic check-ups, preventative vaccines and prompt treatment of illness.  The veterinarian is a very important person on a dairy farm.
• Cows recieve routine "pedicures" by a professional hooftrimmer.  A cow will normally receive a pedicure once or twice a year to attend to the extra hoof growth.  Can you imagine if you didnt clip your toenails?  Cows need toenail clipping too!
• Want to see a cow pedicure?  Watch a video about Olive getting a pedi.  Unfortunately she did not get a design on her toe like I do! haha :)

#4:  Cow Care and Monitoring

• The most important job of a dairy farmer it to daily monitor their cows.  Cows are observed daily.  You may wonder... what are they looking for?  Here are some of the things we monitor:
• cud chewing
• laying time
• Fresh cows - It is very important to monitor these ladies very closely.  Just like a woman in the hospital after giving birth, cows are in a hospital pen where they are checked multiple times a day to ensure that no complications arise.
• Here is a video about a cow that gets "milk fever."  Milk fever usually happens a few hours after she has her calf and her body is low in calcium.