“Cows are a voluntary animal. The better you take care of them, the better they take care of you. Healthy and happy cows produce the best milk!” – John T. Pagel (Second Generation)
At Pagel Family Businesses, we take care of our cows, and our cows take care of us! By caring for our animals with compassion and respect, we’re rewarded with happier cows that produce higher-quality milk, which we turn into the finest cheeses. Our farms strive to ensure that all of our cows receive the best comfort, healthcare and quality of life.
Shelter, Food, & Rotary Milking
The cows’ free-stall barns are designed for comfort. The herd is given 500,000 square feet of living space, and each cow has ample room to lay down in a soft bedding made from dried bio solids. The cows are fed a balanced TMR(total-mixed-ration) diet that consists of grains, alfalfa and proteins, all feeds are catered to a particular period in a cow’s life. For cow comfort and efficiency our parlors are equipped with rubber mats and air circulation. We are running six parlors across five dairies.
Health & Safety
At Pagel Family Businesses, cows are monitored 24/7 and receive weekly herd checks. During the herd checks, farm staff evaluates milk production, safety, and cleanliness of the surroundings, and the potential for sickness. Additionally, EVERY PFB employee is trained on animal care and handling. PFB employs a strict protocol in the event of a health concern. A sick cow will be monitored, given special attention, and often separated from the herd. We do not use any antibiotics unless it is absolutely necessary. If antibiotics are used, the cow is placed in a special hospital pen to ensure her milk is not used to make dairy products.
Cow Comfort
Knowing that stress can affect the taste and quality of a cow’s milk, cow comfort is a top priority at Pagel Family Businesses. This is addressed through:
Calves
Our dairy success starts with the cow—special care is given as soon as each calf is born.
Our maternity ward is dedicated to expectant mothers, and newborns are moved to soft bedding in a warm, temperature-controlled calf barn. In wintertime, they are even given a special calf jacket! Initially, calves receive their mother’s colostrum in a bottle and are later switched to pasteurized milk with special calf vitamins. At 5 months of age, the calf, now a young heifer, graduates from hutches to live in larger groups in a freestall barn. All calves are equipped with an RFID tag that they will have for life to track important details, providing transparency to our partners and consumers!