It’s much easier for our farmers to care for their cows when they live on the farms. Many even give their cows names and readily provide them with everything they could possibly need. Being close to the cows 24/7 also allows farmers to react quickly during emergencies such as birthing. When this happens, our farmer will step in as a midwife to assist in the calf’s smooth delivery.
We all learn best from experience. And Friso farmers can fall back on hundreds of years of cow management experience in the Netherlands to know how to read the signals that point to the state of their cows’ health. By observing her physical characteristics and behaviour, they can tell if a cow is sick and take steps to help before it’s too late. For example, a cow with a bad foreleg will lift her head while walking to ease the weight off her leg. A cow with healthy legs would actually lower her head when she walks as her limbs are capable of supporting her weight.
Having close 1-1 working relationships with their vets help our farmers learn more about their cows’ health signals. Our farmers also actively engage with their vets to visit the cows regularly for check-ups, diagnosis and treatment, especially during times of emergency. Working together with the vets to draw up health regimens and treatment plans allow farmers to provide better and more structured care for our cows.
Nothing makes our farmers prouder than to know their cows are in the pink of health. After all, healthy, happy cows naturally give us the most nourishing milk for our children. Find out what else we are doing to ensure Friso milk’s quality.
Keeping our cows healthy and happy is a critical aspect of our journey to deliver nutrient-rich milk naturally from grass to glass. Learn more.