Dairy Farming Lessons
Pamelann S.
WI USA
From NEW BEGINNINGS, Vol. 19 No. 3, May-June 2002, p. 98
My husband, Brad, and I worked
on a dairy farm where I learned, in an unusual way, that breastfeeding
is very important. It was long before our son, Clayton, came into our
lives. Brad was born and raised on a farm so milking cows was as natural
to him as breathing. But I had a lot to learn in my job of caring for
calves.
When we first arrived for
the farm job, many of the calves were dying. On a dairy farm, calves
are taken from their mothers after birth so that the cow can be milked.
I was told how and what to feed the calves and what to do in the event
of illness. I was taught the signs and symptoms of different illnesses,
which drugs to use, and how to administer them. It was a lot of work
getting sick calves well again. I learned how to do this and I was very
proud of myself.
I noticed that the animal
feed sales representatives who came to the farm always stressed the
importance of colostrum for the newborn calf, in spite of their interest
in selling "calf replacement formula." I began to form and
implement my own feeding techniques. I requested that the colostrum
be saved from each milking. I bottled and refrigerated every drop. When
I built up my refrigerator supply, I began freezing the rest. Soon I
had so much colostrum that most newborn calves were fed colostrum for
three or more days and no calf had to go without.
This feeding regimen and
my careful monitoring reduced the need for drugs. The illness rate among
the calves dropped significantly as well as the cost of raising them
since there was less formula and medication to buy. The calves were
healthier. I was now even prouder of myself for having raised healthy
calves right from the start just by utilizing what nature intended all
along. Brad would always say, "A calf who has been sick has a higher
chance of illness as an adult." When Clayton was born, I needed
no convincing of the benefits of breastfeeding. I just knew it would
be worth it.
Breastfeeding was a long
and difficult path for us, filled with episode after episode of plugged
ducts, milk blisters, mastitis, and thrush. My husband was very supportive
and my LLL Leader, Barb, was very helpful with suggestions about what
I could do to solve my problems. There were many hugs, tears, and warm
compresses but I continued believing it was all worth it and that things
would get better. After all, if a cow has these troubles the farmer
does not give up and say, "It didn't work out for her." He
keeps on trying to get his cow on the road to successful lactation.
I was happy to have "cow" knowledge to solve my own problems.
It's amazing how similar the problems and solutions, although most women
want nothing to do with the comparison.
My last plugged duct came
when Clayton was eight months old. That seems like a long period of
troubles, but the benefits of breastfeeding and the breastfeeding relationship
Clayton and I developed made it worth the inconvenience of my discomfort.
So I became a pro at getting plugged ducts unplugged.
Thanks to the support of my husband and the help of La Leche League,
Clayton is now a two-year-old nursling. We enjoy every nursing session
and look forward to more. I am, once again, proud of myself for my achievement
and happy to have a son who loves cows. Imagine that!
Last updated Friday, October 27, 2006 by njb.
Page last edited Sun Oct 14 09:29:28 UTC 2007.
