MILK
We use DeLaval’s top of line milking and filtration system. Healthy, nutrient-packed milk is of utmost importance to us and this machine ensures just that.
COW CARE
We treat all of our cows just like we should - as family. They’re health, safety and happiness is a top priority at Lucky 7 Dairy. Without them, none of this would be possible!
RESOURCES
We don’t just work the land, we live on it too! We do our best to be as resourceful as possible with our crops, fertilizers, and the day to day operations of the farm.
milk
Our cows are milked two-three times a day, depending on the lactation period of the cow. Upon entering the milking parlor, each cow is inspected and sanitized by our accredited milkers, before attaching the milking machine to the udders. Milking time is dependent on the amount of milk each cow is producing, but on average takes about 5 minutes per cow. The machine we use mimics the action of a young calf by creating a pulsating vacuum around the teat, causing milk to be released from the udder. From the udder, the milk goes through a machine that eliminates any possible bacteria from the milk while still ensuring it is nutrient and protein-packed. From our farm, the milk is picked up within 48 hours of leaving the cow by refrigerated tankers where it is then redistributed by Dairy Famers of America to find a home for our milk.
cow care
Simply put, our cows come first. Their happiness is a top priority at Lucky 7 Diary, that is why we are constantly discovering new ways to help our cows stay healthy and comfortable—no matter the season.
We, like most dairy farmers, use guidelines outlined in the National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Animal Care Program to ensure their cows are well-cared for by providing them with a nutritious diet, plenty of water and well-ventilated, well-lighted barns—all of which help keep cows healthy. We use ‘free stall’ housing for our Each cow has access to their own free stall, bedded with sand, and hooked up to a water source. The sand in their beds is replaced 2-3 times a week for clean and comfortable conditions for the cow. In addition to 24 hr access to water and food, the temperature of the cow, and the barn, is also extremely important to their well being. To ensure they are comfortable, each barn is equipped with retractable curtains surrounding the perimeter of the barn. These curtains are utilized to protect the cows from the rain and snow and are dependant on weather conditions. they go up, exposing the cows to the outside elements when it is hot and/or windy to keep the cows cool and they go down when it is cold out to block wind and keep the heat in the barns. In addition to these reactive measures, we also take preventative measures for the cows’ health and happiness. One such measure is through regular check-ups with our in-house (or in-barn) veterinarians where the cows are examined from head to hoof!
resources
We don’t just work the land, we live on it too! We do our best to be as resourceful as possible with our crops, fertilizers, and the day to day operations of the farm.
crops:
We pride ourselves in using the farmland to grow corn, cotton, hay, and other crops that are harvest and utilized throughout the farm. Although these crops are utilized throughout the entirety of the farm, the majority of the crops are used for the production of forages and grains for the cows.
SHIT TALK
With over 2,000 cows, the manure produced gets to be quite extensive (and smelly)! Thankfully we use most, if not all, of it as a natural fertilizer for our crops. Dairy cows’ manure contains nutrients valuable for crops, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. By recycling the manure, we are able to reuse its nutrients to create a nourishing fertilizer that aids in increasing the general health of our crops. In addition to enriching the soil for our cow feed, reusing the manure as fertilizer also eliminates our need for commercial fertilizer, allowing us to be more environmentally friendly and sustainable. The manure from the barns is sucked up with a vacuum that dumps it into a pit where it stays until distributed as fertilizer for our crops.
renewable energy? we’re huge fans
Stony Corners Windfarm, located in the heart of McBain, is one of the first utility-scale wind farms in Michigan and began operating in 2008. Prior to Stony Corners, over 60% of the electricity generated in Michigan came from burning coal and 100% of the coal used was/is imported from other states. Wind power, however, is homegrown, inexhaustible, and clean. Wind turbines work on a simple principle: instead of using electricity to make wind—like a fan—they reverse that and use the wind to make electricity. The wind turns the propeller-like blades of a turbine around a rotor, which spins a generator, creating electricity. Today, Stoney Corners is one of Michigan’ s most significant renewable energy operations with 29 wind turbines at an installed capacity of 60.2 megawatts; this is equivalent to the amount of energy needed to power 13,000 average households (enough to power 100% of the households in Wexford County annually, including the City of Cadillac).