When someone has a birthday, a celebration is in order. Unless, of course, your birthday is like mine. One week before Christmas. I find celebrating birthdays with those lucky enough to have them at different times of year is far more enjoyable. A friend just had one and we did it up right. Along with about 1,000 dairy farmers from all over the world.
We had decided it would be fun to stay in the Biggest Little City 45 miles west of us. Off we went to celebrate in fine style. Little did we know there was a dairy convention in town. 1,000 dairy farmers are a sight to behold. If you’ve never met one, they are some of the most wonderful men in the entire world. Salt of the Earth type of people. Cut out of the same mold.
Dairies are a vital part of our world. Milk, yogurt, sour cream, cheese, ice cream, meat, and other products all come as a result of the hard work of men and women that never stop. The cows come first. An unhappy cow gives no milk. Content cows live their lives in successful dairies. Being cows, they don’t really care about the things we do. Having food and each other, they chew their cud and live happy little lives as cows.
A dairy farmer doesn’t travel very much. Knowing several classmates that had dairies, they forfeited a lot growing up. They were needed to work with the cows. Cows are milked twice a day. They need to be fed, and after that, they need clean bedding. This cycle of care goes on and on and on. The owner of the dairy is the one that gets out of bed in the middle of the night to help a distressed cow give birth.
It was amusing to see them amassed in a jazzy casino. Dairy men are all business and no shenanigans. As they were arriving for the morning meetings, the common outfit was Wrangler Jeans, comfortable shoes, and plaid shirts. Clean cut and freshly shaved, there was no diversity in this group. Homogenized, just like their milk.
A classic dairy farmer is a quiet man. A friendly man. Someone that will help you in the dark of night if you need helping. He’s a principled man who is humane and humble. He is focused and organized. He values his time, because, there isn’t any left over at the end of the day. He is great with finances, stretching a dollar when the price of hay and fuel are on the rise. But mostly, he loves his cows. Because, as stated earlier, happy cows produce a lot of milk. Unhappy cows do not.
Dairy farmers are not known for their love of night life. They are early to bed and early to rise. They have a lot of ground to cover in a day and work long after the sun goes down. I didn’t expect them to be clogging up the lounges at the casino, and wasn’t surprised when there weren’t many around after 7.
Dairy women are not that common. Face it. There are some things that girls are not strong enough to do. Dealing with heavy equipment and animals weighing 1,500 pounds, is something most women are not equipped to do. Just a fact of life, ladies. So, with this group, there weren’t many woman-folk. Just a wave of men, all intent on learning about the latest trends in the dairy business.
Eavesdropping on conversations, it was obvious these guys are not in some little red barn with a few head of cattle. No. One farmer’s operation cared for 15,000 head. That’s huge. In dealing with so many cows, it’s necessary to utilize technology. The amount of food for individual cows is watched carefully. Milk production analyzed. Everything computerized for quick action should something go down. Working with a perishable product and live animals is a delicate dance. Computer chips and technology help things run more smoothly.
Everything from hoof care to Artificial Insemination was covered in these meetings. All shared with a very polite and dry audience. One man was carrying around an ice chest. Really didn’t want to know what might be in that ice chest. Could be a case of Coors or bull semen. Sometimes, you just really don’t need to know.
A most humorous moment occurred at the pool. With such a beautiful fall day to enjoy, WP and I went to lounge and swim. Okay. Okay. WP swam while I enjoyed watching people. The cattlemen were easily identified by their clothing and the red lanyards holding their badges. One particular rancher was sunning himself with his eyes closed. As he lay quietly, he slowly chewed gum. Just as his cows chew their cud, he chewed his gum while relaxing. It was so darn funny, I alerted WP, who had found the homogeneous nature of the cattlemen of interest.
They were on the move the next morning. During breakfast, they were making last minute connections at the coffee shop before returning to their dairies. They were a nice bunch of convention goers with which to share the hotel.
Oliver and I will be busy today with Christmas decorations. Box on top of box are waiting in the RV barn. This, the second year without VST, will hold different challenges. With time and faith, things improve every day. Have a good one. More tomorrow.