When you pour a glass of milk or add cheese to your sandwich, do you ever wonder about the Michigan dairy cows behind these everyday favorite dairy products? Michigan’s dairy industry is filled with dairy cows that help bring nutritious products to our tables.
From their unique four-part stomachs to their impressive milk production, Michigan dairy cows play a huge role in supporting local farms and families. But they’re also highly sociable animals that can form close bonds, make friends and take care of each other.
Let’s take a closer look at these remarkable animals and uncover a few fun facts that bring us a little closer to the farm — and the dairy foods we enjoy each day.
5 facts you need to know about Michigan cows
1. Michigan dairy cows produce a lot of milk
Fact: Michigan’s dairy cows collectively produce over 11 billion pounds of milk each year! This high productivity makes Michigan one of the top 10 milk-producing states in the United States. And, Michigan ranks at the very top in milk production per cow. The average Michigan cow produces more than 3,100 gallons of milk each year.
2. Holsteins are the most common dairy cow breed in Michigan
Fact: Holsteins, recognizable by their black-and-white coloring, make up the majority of dairy cows in Michigan. They’re popular because they produce more milk than any other breed, which is especially valued on Michigan’s dairy farms — and your family’s table. “Stylish” is how the Michigan State Fair folks describe these dairy herds. Do you agree?
3. Dairy cows don’t have 4 stomachs, but one stomach with 4 compartments
Fact: Dairy cows have a complex digestive system with four stomach compartments — the rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum — which helps them digest fibrous plants and turn them into nutritious milk.
4. Michigan dairy cows enjoy a very special diet
Fact: Dairy farmers in Michigan provide a highly nutritious diet to their cows — and they “meal plan” for the whole year. These well-fed cows largely eat a diet of alfalfa hay, corn silage and alfalfa silage. Silage is an agricultural term that means the entire green part of the plant, which humans aren’t able to digest but is highly nutritious for cows.
5. Michigan cows have excellent memories and strong social bonds
Fact: Dairy cows are great commercial milk producers, and they’re also highly social and have great memories, recognizing other cows and even forming close bonds within their herd. Studies show that dairy cattle groom each other, mostly on their heads and necks, which are difficult areas to reach on their own. Looking to make friends with an average dairy cow? Experts recognize the stress-reducing value of spending time with dairy cows.
This content is sponsored by United Dairy Industry of Michigan / Milk Means More. Learn more at milkmeansmore.org.
Find more articles like this at Metro Parent’s How to Get Kids to Eat Healthy.
