Another kind of cow on the farm is calves. After being weaned, they go into a special barn for young calves. All the calves are holsteins, as well. Some of them are kept to later become dairy cows, some are sold, and others are kept to become feeder cattle.
Feeder cattle are much bigger than dairy cattle. They are also holsteins and are mixed genders, but the males have to be castrated. They are raised for market to become beef for us to eat.
Other animals on the Kooistra farm include barn cats, dogs, and horses.
Feeder cattle are much bigger than dairy cattle. They are also holsteins and are mixed genders, but the males have to be castrated. They are raised for market to become beef for us to eat.
Other animals on the Kooistra farm include barn cats, dogs, and horses.
CropsThere are four main kinds of crops grown on the farm: corn, soy beans, oats, and alfalfa.
Much of the corn is kept and ground into feed for the cattle. The rest is sold to the local farmers' co-op grain elevator. After the oats have been combined, some are kept for food and some are sold to the local farmers' co-op grain elevator, like the corn. All of the soy beans are sold to the grain elevator. The alfalfa is baled and used as feed for the horses and cattle. It is stored in the winter for later use. |