Fifty Shades of Hay

There is one book making the rounds from cow to cow on the farm. Everyone is salivating over their favorite part and let me tell you that certain pages are definitely dog eared.

Fifty Shades of Hay

Oh, the wonderful types of hay there are to eat; all fifty or more shades of them. Timothy, alfalfa, orchardgrass... I could go on and on about how much we love them. I have to say that Dairy Dave did a fantastic job on the photos and articles describing all the varieties of hay inside.

There is just something about the thoughts of spring coming and watching the grass grow. Obviously we can't wait for that to happen and for The Farmer to start harvesting. Until then we at least know the hay buffet will be open.


Agent 16, reporting from the Udder Side.

What Do Dairy Cows Eat?

Cows Love To Eat Hay

We've heard a few discussions about what dairy cows like to eat and I thought I would clear everything up. First let me say we enjoy the epitome of fine dining.

Besides hay the farmer also harvests wheat, rye, and ryegrass and stores it in the silos in the spring. He does the same in the fall with his corn. The silage stays green, fresh, and delicious!

Cows love to eat silage

Last, but not least, we do enjoy some tasty grain. The Farmer has the silage tested and a complimentary grain is selected that will help complete our nutritional requirements. You can't eat poorly and still make lots of nutritious milk (or be a good secret agent)!

Agent 101, lounging at the Hay Buffet on the Udder Side.

Unplugging the Social Cow

Hi, I'm Agent 451 and I'm addicted to social media. My view of the world is through my cell phone camera with Instagram colored eyes. Life has little meaning if my thoughts are not liked, retweeted, plused, or pinned. There. I said it.

I give credit or blame, depending on your point of view, of my current predicament to The Dairy Mom. You see after this report I will be banned from the use of the internet for the forseeable future by my boss, Agent 101.

It all began when Agent 101 read The Dairy Mom's blog post A Day in the Life of a Cow. Here's an excerpt that contains the line that got me in trouble.

Ever wonder what a cow does all day? She leads a pampered life spending the majority of her time resting. 

A typical cow on our farm allocates her time to these activities;
    12 ½ hours/day lying down and resting
    10 hours/day eating, drinking, chewing cud, exercising and socializing
    1 ½ hours/day in the milking parlor


Only 10 hours a day that socializing can be included in? Seriously, is that all? Do these farmers know what could happen in those other 14 hours a day that I have to know about? What about the things I need to tell others about my thoughts and my doings? Probably I wouldn't have gotten in trouble if I had not laid out from one milking. I had been up all night reading status updates and just fell asleep. I couldn't help it.


Agent 101 has checked up on all the cows and made sure they are receiving the proper care from The Farmer and getting all of their correct hours in. So far The Farmer is doing his job and I'm the only cow out of line. I would tweet about it, but you know I can't now.


While I am cut off from all my social media outlets at least I can still catch up on news the old fashioned way by going to The Hay Buffet. There's always a crowd there eating, chewing their cud, and socializing on their way to and from being milked. I hope The Dairy Mom is happy.

Agent 451, reporting from The Udder Side.