A Day in the Life of a Westby Creamery Dairy Cow
Jul 25, 2024 (Westby, WI)
Have you ever wondered what a typical day is like for a dairy cow? Westby Creamery is owned by 100 small, family farms who pride themselves in providing the utmost care for their herds. Most cows even have their own names like LuLu and Razzle Dazzle! Here’s a sneak peek at a day in the life of a Westby Creamery dairy cow, and you will get to learn some fun facts along the way.
Their day begins as the sun rises and they are soon served a nutritious breakfast to start their day off right. Their diet includes a mix of hay silage, high moisture fermented grasses, dry hay, corn silage, ground corn, soybeans and essential minerals. This balanced diet ensures they get all the nutrients they need to stay healthy.
Plus, they get to graze fresh grass in the pastures! Cows love to relax and spend time chewing their cud, which is also known as rumination. Rumination is a way for cows to improve digestion. The process involves regurgitating partially digested food, called cud, into the mouth, re-chewing it, and then swallowing it again. They have a unique digestive system with four compartments in their stomachs that allows them to break down and digest forages and grains that humans can’t.
Proper hydration also fuels digestion. Throughout the day, cows stay hydrated by drinking lots of water—about 30 to 40 gallons each day. That’s equivalent to a bathtub full of water!
Have you ever seen a dairy cow fast asleep? It’s unlikely. While cows may lie down for up to 12 hours a day, they only sleep for about four hours, usually in short naps.
Milking is an essential part of the daily routine for dairy cows. Each cow is typically milked twice a day, once in the morning and again in the evening. This regular schedule helps maintain their health.
Herd health is top priority at Westby Creamery. The cows receive regular check-ups, preventative care and prompt treatment if they fall ill. Westby Creamery farmer-owners also participate in the National Dairy FARM Program, which ensures each cow is properly cared for through regular evaluations and random third-party audits.
As the day winds down, it’s time for another round of feeding. On average, cows consume over 100 pounds of feed each day. The amount can vary depending on the moisture content of their feed or the type of grass they graze.
Westby Creamery farms are home to a variety of dairy breeds. Alongside the common Holstein (black spotted cows) and Jersey cows (brown cows), they also raise Guernseys, Ayrshires, Milking Shorthorns, Brown Swiss, Fleckvieh and Norwegian Reds. Each breed has unique attributes and size differences. Holstein cows, for example, weigh between 1,500 and 1,800 pounds, while the smaller Jersey cows typically weigh between 1,100 and 1,400 pounds.
The life of a Westby Creamery dairy cow is filled with nutritious meals, relaxing in pastures and diligent care from our dedicated farmer-owners. These cows benefit from a balanced diet, regular health check-ups and a supportive environment that allows them to thrive. To learn more about the hardworking farmers and their beloved herds at Westby Creamery, click here.
