Dairy Farm

We had the chance to visit the Iowa State Dairy Farm recently when they had it open to the public for tours. It was a lot of fun and both kids seemed to really enjoy themselves. We got to watch the milking process and then got to tour most of the barns while they talked and explained everything to us. I told Pete that I found it very educational as I didn't know quite a bit about the whole system. Henry was curious which barn the dad cows were in and didn't believe me when I told him there were just mom cows and baby cows at the farm, no dads. The girl next to him said she thought the brown cows were the dads. At the end of the tours there were a bunch of booths with activities for the kids. One station had seeds for the kids to take home and watch sprout in a few days. Henry enjoyed getting his plants and really wants to have a garden. After that we stopped and had some snacks. Anne got her first taste of yogurt and Henry was thrilled to have yogurt, chocolate milk and a 'bagel' which was really a doughnut. He was full enough that he didn't eat lunch that day, but I suppose that's alright once in awhile.

Soybean and corn plants

Henry continues to talk about going to the farm and really wants to go back. One day when swim lessons were cancelled he told me that going back to the dairy farm would make him happy. He has also told me that he wants to be a farmer when he grows up, but that he wants to milk all the cows with his hands and not use machines.

Baby calves

Early pregnancy. Jersey and Holstein are the two breeds

Late pregnancy, will calve in about 30 days. Pink tape- in a research trial

Special feeding bins for those in the research trial

'wet cows'- the ones currently being milked

Henry with the Iowa Dairy Princess