A Neighbors' Dairy Barn - Part 3

The brothers had been busy feeding hay to their charges and would begin milking at any minute. So I once again walked down to where the weaned calves were tethered:

This little calf looked happy and comfy, completely undisturbed by my presence:

There was a whole row of weaned calves of varying ages, but they were difficult to photograph because of the light streaming through the windows:

But then it was time to turn our attention to the cows. Their udders looked full:

The brothers prepared things in the milk room, where everything had been sanitized:

Then they began carrying equipment out to the main barn:

The equipment was hung in strategic locations where it wouldn't touch any unclean surface:

And then they both began milking their cows:

The cows didn't balk, didn't fidget. This was routine for them:

I thanked the brothers for their kindness and began to walk back out to my car, passing these two dry cows once again as I went:

I looked back at the barn, with its grain bin, silo and many extensions. That's when I noticed more cattle out behind one of the extensions and decided to walk over to take a look:

There were three young males, eating hay. I didn't notice if they were bulls or steers, but that brown and white one on the left trotted over to stare me down and I decided it was time for me to make a wise retreat to the safety of my car:

A Neighbors' Dairy Barn - Part 2

I didn't ask how many cows they were milking, but I suppose it might have been about 50. It was a peaceful scene, with all the cows well fed and cared for, and similarly contented barn cats lounging about everywhere:

This little fellow wandered out from another room, found his mom and had a meal:

He was still a bit wobbly when he disconnected, but happy and with a full stomach:

The Holsteins were quite large:

The brothers were feeding hay to their cows when I arrived:

And the cows were eating it with enthusiasm, even kneeling for better access. You may notice that they also had soft, clean hay for bedding:

Another little Jersey calf:

I walked down the middle aisle to where the younger, weaned animals were tethered:

Such as this calf:

And then I headed back up the middle aisle to see if there was anything I'd missed:

The brothers continued to feed hay to their charges. They would begin milking soon:

This Jersey knelt to munch her hay. I might have left for home just about this time, but I knew they'd begin milking at any time - so I stayed. I'll post Part 3 tomorrow: