Cows are special too! It's Cow Appreciation Day, July 15

DALLAS - July 15, 2013 - PRLog -- Veterinary Education Network Celebrates Cow Appreciation Day, July 15

July 15, 2013, Dallas, TX -  Veterinary Education Network (VEN) offers idea how to celebrate on Cow Appreciation Day.  Every animal deserves a day of its own to appreciate its existence and special place in our world. Cows (http://aipl.arsusda.gov/kc/cowfacts.html) are no different. They are the source of dairy and meat for much of society. In fact, it is estimated that they supply approximately 90% of the world's dairy needs, but interestingly enough they can only give milk for the first time after they give birth.

Cows are more than food and they are smart in their own way. They are wonderful mothers and work together as a loving family in many cases. In India they are considered sacred (http://hinduism.about.com/b/2009/04/27/why-is-the-cow-sacred-to-hindus-2.htm) and are a valuable part of many herding cultures, never mind their place in folklore and mythology (http://www.oocities.org/highbrowcow/myth.html), along with Bulls (http://www.mlahanas.de/Greeks/Mythology/BullMythology.html). In some areas of the world cow dung (http://www.peopleforanimalsindia.org/articles-by-maneka-g...) is used as an important source of fuel and electricity, making them much more than just an "animal."

Unfortunately, many cows in the United States are treated inhumanely to provide food for humans.  To appreciate something is to fully understand its’ worth. There will never be a mutual feeling towards cow's worth in our world, but taking a moment to see their impact on our lives and how we ultimately treat them as a living being is a step in the right direction.  

If you have the space, one of the best ways is to teach children about cows is by joining 4-H.  Cows are big, docile creatures that can live on a decent-sized pasture, snack on grains, graze on grass and provide your family with roughly eight gallons of milk each day. That's enough for drinking as well as for making yogurt, cream, butter and cheese. Best of all, the milk is raw which means it's packed full of helpful bacteria otherwise absent in pasteurized milk.

4-H is an organization that teaches youth how to select and raise livestock animals such as cows. Find a local 4H livestock club near you and enroll your child. They will take pride in their cow and calf project as they learn to care for and show their animals.  Go to www.4-H.org for details.

Here is a quick guide to pick a healthy cow and calf pair which is an essential to a great 4H start.  

1.       Research and choose a breed that you feel would be best suited to your family's needs and the amount of land you have. The two most common breeds available are Holstein cows and Jersey cows. Other varieties include Dutch Belted, Guernsey, Milking Shorthorn, Dexter and Ayrshire. The factors to consider for each breed include size, temperament, milk supply and feed requirements.

2.       Locate a dairy farm with the type of cow you are looking for and inquire as to whether they are selling any cow and calf pairs.

3.       Inquire about the reason for selling. Typical reasons for selling include the cow's temperament, loss of an udder, poor production, disease and age. Check the cow for signs of lameness. In general, you'll want to look for a cow that produces around 30 pounds of milk each day and has been cleared by a veterinarian to be disease free.

4.       Ask to watch the cow being led on a halter, handled and milked. Some cows find it very entertaining to aim their kicks at your milk bucket; such cows should be avoided.

5.       Inquire about the cow's exact age and where they are in their lactation cycle. Ideally the cow should be between two and four years old. If the cow is at the end of its lactation cycle, meaning it has been milking for almost a year and a half, then it's going to produce less milk. These cows are ideal because they tend to be offered at a bargain price and once they produce another calf they will produce abundant milk again.

6.       Inspect the calf for signs of health. Things to watch for are clear eyes, playful activity and curiosity. If the calf seems lethargic, has hazy eyes, breathing problems, or has a big pot belly, it is unhealthy and should be avoided

Cows are lovely creatures. Appreciate what they bring to our lives. It’s something to MOO about!!

Veterinary Education Network (VEN) delivers high impact continuing education and the tools that help you boost productivity, strengthen employee commitment, and improve bottom-line profits for your veterinary business.

VEN's mission is dedicated to helping DVM's achieve their professional goals while improving the quality of life for people, the planet and pets through quality education and industry.  

Go to www.VeterinaryEducationNetwork.com for more information.

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