Lima Ranch is one of the many commercial Dairy farms in California that provides 21.3% of the United States milk supply. Lima Ranch has been in business for 3 generations and the producer of this diary was not there, so Dr. Frank Mitloehner delivered the tour. The tour of this facility entailed many incites to how one dairy facility can successfully run a dairy farm. This facility uses only Holstein cows for their milk production and have 1,500 milking cows. This ranch also has 1,200 heifers and 200 dry cows. The calves born on this farm are only kept for a few days, so their numbers of calves are unknown. Lima Ranch tries to maximize their success in the ways they manage their dairy, by managing their animals’ milk production, feed, breeding,
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The types of feed Lima Ranch uses is silage, hay, and corn. Lima Ranch makes sure their cows get the most efficient diet by feeding them by production level. By basing their cows’ diets on their nutritional needs, it allows the ranch to keep their cows at a healthy body weight. This facility keeps their cows at a 3 ½ body condition before lactation begins. After lactation, the cows lose 1 full body condition. The ranch brings their cows body condition back up to 3 ½ before the next lactation during the dry period. During this period, the cows are fed a diet high in roughage to help increase their body weights. Heifers are fed a diet high in roughage that consists of mostly hay. This diet helps get the heifers to 750 pounds at breeding. Calves at the calf ranch are fed milk and milk starter is given after a week. This ranch also ensures that their diets are correct by having nutritionists come to the facility and make sure the diets are right for the …show more content…
Making enough milk while maintaining safe practices and good animal welfare is not easy, with hard work, love, and dedication, dairy farms are able to have a successful business without jeopardizing the safety of their animals. 5 years ago, Lima Ranch was one of the many commercial dairies who struggled to keep up with all the new regulations for dairymen and maintaining the environmental compliances. Now, Lima Ranch faces a new problem that is impacting many dairy farms across the United States, finding qualified labor. It is getting harder for dairies to find workers who are skilled and trust worthy. To keep the dairy running smoothly, they must find more workers who are trained well and understand cow
The types of feed Lima Ranch uses is silage, hay, and corn. Lima Ranch makes sure their cows get the most efficient diet by feeding them by production level. By basing their cows’ diets on their nutritional needs, it allows the ranch to keep their cows at a healthy body weight. This facility keeps their cows at a 3 ½ body condition before lactation begins. After lactation, the cows lose 1 full body condition. The ranch brings their cows body condition back up to 3 ½ before the next lactation during the dry period. During this period, the cows are fed a diet high in roughage to help increase their body weights. Heifers are fed a diet high in roughage that consists of mostly hay. This diet helps get the heifers to 750 pounds at breeding. Calves at the calf ranch are fed milk and milk starter is given after a week. This ranch also ensures that their diets are correct by having nutritionists come to the facility and make sure the diets are right for the …show more content…
Making enough milk while maintaining safe practices and good animal welfare is not easy, with hard work, love, and dedication, dairy farms are able to have a successful business without jeopardizing the safety of their animals. 5 years ago, Lima Ranch was one of the many commercial dairies who struggled to keep up with all the new regulations for dairymen and maintaining the environmental compliances. Now, Lima Ranch faces a new problem that is impacting many dairy farms across the United States, finding qualified labor. It is getting harder for dairies to find workers who are skilled and trust worthy. To keep the dairy running smoothly, they must find more workers who are trained well and understand cow