Animal care

Cows on Kylecrest Holsteins LLC are well taken care.

Dairy cows must be healthy and well cared-for in order to produce pure, wholesome milk.

Dairy cows receive regular medical care, including periodic check-ups, vaccinations and prompt treatment of illness.

Dairy farmers depend on healthy cows for their livelihoods.  They care for their herds by providing a nutritious diet, good medical care and healthy living conditions.

FYI - great article about saving for the future

Newsweek - November 7 and 14, 2011

MoneyBrain - The New Science Behind Your Spending Addiction
By Sharon Begley


Reference:Begley, The New Science Behind Your Spending Addiction, Newsweek, November 7,14, 2011

Believe in yourself!

Believe in yourself,  as it has been said "that you are here to become more of yourself and live your best life."





Reference:Oprah Winfrey

Article in Milwaukee Sentinel on Wednesday, November 23, 2011

 Read the following article and try and make some sense of this proposed law about child labor on the dairy farm. 

Shelly Mayer says she would never do anything to put her three children in harm's way on their family dairy farm, but she worries that proposed regulations could put an end to many jobs for farm kids.
As Americans, Mayer says, we are too protective of our children when it comes to physical labor.
"We have raised a generation of 'bubble-wrap' babies," she says.
"Parents dote so much on kids, they practically need an oxygen mask to go outside. And we wonder why they can't function in society."
Mayer and her husband, Dwight, have children ages 15, 13 and 8 on their farm near Slinger. They are among farmers nationwide who believe proposed U.S. Department of Labor regulations go too far in restricting what work kids could perform on farms, such as driving tractors and handling livestock.
The changes, they say, could dampen kids' enthusiasm for becoming farmers, especially youngsters who don't live on farms but have part-time jobs to gain farming experience.
Under the proposed rules, according to the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, someone under 18 would not be allowed to do many chores for a neighbor or even their own family's farm if it's set up as a corporation or a business partnership.
Today, many family farms are legally structured as corporations or partnerships.
"It could take away a lot of opportunity," said Mayer, who also is executive director of Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin.
Under the proposed regulations:

•  Anyone under age 16 could not operate any power-driven machines unless the child was under the supervision of a parent or guardian.
•  Youngsters would be prohibited from handling noncastrated livestock older than 6 months, sows with suckling pigs or cows with a newborn calf. They also could not be in situations where an animal's behavior might be unpredictable, such as giving shots, dehorning or breeding.
•  Youngsters would not be allowed to work inside any grain silo, fruit or forage storage bin, nor would they be allowed to handle pesticides. Also, they would not be allowed to work at heights above 6 feet from a floor, including working on ladders.
•  The new regulations would prohibit teenagers from talking on cellphones or texting while operating a tractor.

Dairy foods in the healthy eating plan!

Dairy products are among the most tested and regulated foods in the country.  In addition to the extensive and rigorous safety and quality tests that dairy foods go through before they reach the grocery store, dairy farms and plants must meet stringent federal and local regulations, including those developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, FDA and state regulatory agencies.

Reference:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, http://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/rawmilk/raw-milk-questions-and-answers.html

Drinking raw milk is unpredictable

The presence of germs in raw milk is unpredictable.  The number of disease-causing germs in the raw milk may be too low to make a person sick for a long time, and later high enough to make the same person seriously ill.


Reference:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:http://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/rawmilk/raw-milk-questions-and-answers.html

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!  It is very important to enjoy the company of good friends and family.  It is difficult to make healthy choices when there are so much food to chose from.  Remember...portion control is what works and don't go back for seconds!  Chew slowly the foods you do take and savor every bite.  Drink plenty of water and good healthy dairy products as well.  ENJOY!

Risks associated with raw milk consumption

Despite the scientific evidence and public health warnings associated with raw milk consumption, the demand for raw milk has steadily increased in recent years.  However, the increase in raw milk consumption has been associated with disease outbreaks over the last few years.  According to a 2004 report by the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, 29 states have documented disease outbreaks due to the consumption of raw milk. 

References:Cifelli, Christopher, Nutrition Today, Volume 45, Number 5, September/October 2010

Pasteurization only destroys the bad stuff

When properly performed, pasteurization destroys the pathogenic bacteria, yeast, molds, and almost all other nonpathogenic bacteria that may be associated with unpasteurized milk.  In addition, pasteurization inactivates most enzymes related to milk spoilage.

Reference:Cifelli, Christopher, Nutrition Today, Volume 45, Number 5, September/October, 2010, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Pasteurized milk does the body good!

Milk and dairy products are important components of a healthy diet because they provide a wealth of nutritional benefits.  However, unpasteurized milk or dairy products can be excellent vehicles for the transmission of pathogenic microorganisms, which have been scientifically shown to increase the risk of morbidity and mortality in individuals who consume unpasteurized milk products.  As a result, milk produced in the United States undergoes extensive and rigorous safety and quality tests before it enters the market place, ensuring that US milk and dairy products are among the safest and most regulated foods in the world.  This article describes the process of milk pasteurization and the dangers associated with unpasteurized milk consumption and provides evidence that there is no nutritional advantage to consuming unpasteurized milk.



Reference:Cifelli, Christopher, Nutritional Today, Volume 45, Number 5, September/October, 2010

Pasteurized milk is the way to go!

Raw milk can carry harmful bacteria and other germs that can make you very sick or kill you.  While it is possible to get foodborne illnesses from many different foods, raw milk is one of the riskiest of all.  Getting sick from raw milk can mean many days of diarrhea, stomach cramping, and vomiting.  Less commonly, it can mean kidney failure, paralysis, chronic disorders, and even death.

These are the facts.  Any one who tells you differently is not being honest about the facts on raw milk. 



References:Center for Disease Control and Prevention:http://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/rawmilk/raw-milk-questions-and-answers.html

Feeling invigorated after the National Milk Producers Federation meeting!

It was great to go to California and enjoy the company and the wonderful weather this week.  The National Milk Producers Federation Annual Meeting was wonderful as usual.  My entire family enjoyed themselves going to meetings, doing sight-seeing and just spending time with our friends from around the country that we really enjoy seeing. 

Special thanks to Brad Scott and his family as they hosted us for a night.  We had a great tour of their dairy and dinner at a local restaurant.  It is always good to see what other dairies are doing.  We always end up taking back some really good ideas.  

Partnerships

It is really important to continue the partnerships between Domino's and McDonald's because the American people really do benefit from our check-off dollars that have been invested in new, innovative, healthy products that enhance a healthy eating plan.  A family can easily include products from these two lines into their healthy eating plan and be able to afford it.  Remember the REAL seal is part of these products and dairy farmers like myself are happy to work 365 days a year in order to provide healthy, economical products for our family and other families as well.  Please be good to your family and introduce some of the new products that are available to consume, especially for families on the go.


References:www:dairycheckoff.com

Add flaxseed to help alleviate sciatica problems

I really enjoy reading articles and trying new things when it comes to helping my old back.  I definitely had a difficult year last school year because my back was not what I was used to, and it gave me a lot of grief.  It went from bad to worse and made for a very foggy year.  I went to chiropractors, physical therapists and was getting very frustrated because I am not a patient person.  I finally found relief after having a steroid injection that I received from a pain management doctor.  Every day I start out my day with exercises that help to loosen up my tight back and that seems to be helping to strengthen my core.  I also am back at the cardio and weight lifting a couple times a week and my strength is definitely getting better.  My healthy eating plan, which I do every day is definitely a bonus as well because it includes the extra fruits and vegetables which also helps to replenish the body after a strenuous work out. 

Inspire yourself to be better!

Even though it can be a painful experience to look at photos of yourself at different times of the year it can be very helpful.  It pays off to take control of photos and put your photo collection together in order to see the progress that has been made and get the energy boost that you need.  There is much inspiration you can get from paying attention to close details which can serve as a dose of inspiration.

Uniting and trying to find common ground!

There was a letter to the editor in one of our local papers that was extremely frustrating to read.  I view myself as pretty open-minded and progressive in all aspects of my life and am always surprised when one someone else in agriculture attacks the way the other person's farm is being run.  There are so few of us in agriculture that we really need to find common ground and work together in order for all of us to be successful. 


There are so many terms that are coined by the media in regard to agriculture that it helps to give our industry a bad name.  We have critics of the dairy industry that truly are looking to put those of us in the industry out of business and I don't understand someone who has spent their entire life in agriculture to also do the same thing.  My parents always told me not to say anything unless it was a complement or I was defending myself. 

I wish some of the old timers would continue their role as good role models, but frustrating as it is that isn't the case some times. 

Important jobs in the state of Wisconsin!

Don't be afraid to get on the band wagon and support your local dairy farmer.  You know, you don't have to be a farmer to be behind an animal that generates 146,200 Wisconsin jobs.






References:www.dairyfoundation.org

Dairy farmers honor their calling each and every day!

Every morning when my husband and I get up for the day we look out our sun room windows and we smile because we know this dairy farm is ours and we have gone through a lot to get where we are at.  All the ups and downs of dairy farming can take you places that you can only imagine, however, the rewards are equally as inspiring. 

The feeling that  Dave and I capture from just the average daily chore on our farm, helps to fuel and navigate us to the next adventure.  We have never looked back and only look forward!

It is amazing knowing that each road block that we have gone through has provided us with a reward and an added bonus that we weren't expecting.

Milk and dairy products are among the most tested and regulated foods in this country!

Dairy farmers are very concerned about the quality of their products and that is why they take every measure possible in order to ensure that their milk is of the highest quality.  Every day at Kylecrest Holsteins LLC we make sure the girls are feed a balanced ration that contains all of the food groups that provide our cows with the nutrients they need in order to produce the wholesome product that I feel comfortable feeding my family and American consumers.

Every morsel we put in our mouth needs to be evaluated!

Just like cows, people need to evaluate each food stuff that they mix together because intake is the key to how we feel each day. It is extremely important to balance the ration in humans and cows.  People write down what they eat in a food dairy and figure out why they are heavier then they like and TMR's can be audited for quality control of the cow feeding.