Lunch break for some of our employees while they finish the interior of the barn.
Looking down the ally where the cows will be notice the fans and the overhead garage door to keep the cows cool in the summer and shelter from the wind in the winter.
Well after nearly six months of building, from start to finish, the barn is complete. We are happy to say that the cows took to it like it was the Grand Hotel. They love the openess and act very pleased with their new surroundings. How do we know this? Well, we look at the contentment of them, they walk slow and steady and are not hesitant or jumpy. They eat well, drink lots of water and chew their cud showing us signs of satisfaction! All in all, it is mission accomplished. Having healthy, happy cows only strenghtens our commitment to agriculture.
This shows where the cows will lay down to rest. They are bedded with a smooth soft sand, it's like having a day at the beach for them. It is comfortable and cool.
Notice the outside wall of the barn. There really isn't one. To keep the cows cool in the summer the sides are left open for air flow. In the winter we have material "curtains" that roll down to keep out the wind and snow.
The cows are in! They are happy and eating a well balanced diet. Water is available 24 hours a day.
Until next time,
Drink milk and have a healthy diet.
How would you like to take a ride on the combine during soybean harvest? Well take a look at this video and then we'll talk a bit more on the amazing soybean harvest:
Wasn't that fun? Well, every Fall we spend an enormous amount of time harvesting our crops that we planted in the Spring, just like these soybeans.
"A soybean consists mostly of protein-rich meal, and 98 percent of that meal is used to feed animals that produce food such as poultry, pork, beef and fish", says Chuck Myers of the United Soybean Board and a Nebraska soybean farmer. Soybeans provide the world with protein and oil used in food, animal feed, and industrial applications. A 60-pound bushel of soybeans makes about 11 pounds of oil and 48 pounds of soymeal (ground up pulp).
When the farmer sells his soybeans, usually to a grain elevator, there is a mandatory assessment of one-half of one percent of the net market price. This assessment is part of a program called the National Soybean Checkoff. Half of the money stays in the state where the soybeans are produced and the other half is forwarded to the United Soybean Board. The collections are invested to advance soybean marketing, production technology and the development of new uses.
Some of the human food uses for soybeans include oil used in margerine, mayonnaise, salad dressing, and cooking oil (labeled as vegetable oil in the grocery store). And don't forget cereals, candies, baby food or formula, and medicines.
Other non-food uses include cosmetics, fabrics, plastics, soap, and water-based paints. A friend of mine works for a large printing company in Texas and tells me, that currently, ink made from soybeans is used in printing labels for food products.
Feeding soybeans to our cows is an essential part of a complete diet and contributes to their overall health. And what about your health? The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says that food containing soy protein may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. This claim is based on the FDA's determination that 25 grams of soy protein per day may reduce that risk by reducing blood cholesterol levels. www.cfsan.fda.gov.
The uses of soybeans are continually growing. To find out more about soybeans check out www.michigansoybean.org today.
