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Wisconsin Dairy Industry Spokesperson Network Connection
January 2017

Farming Through the Frigid Winter

Wisconsin winter is here in full force; farmers have already endured one arctic blast, with more bitter temperatures in the forecast. Although consumers are not seeing much movement when they drive by a farm, there is lots of activity inside the barns. From making sure the cows have constant access to unfrozen water to keeping the barns properly ventilated, this is an opportunity for conversations with consumers about the lengths farmers go to keeping the cows comfortable. Think about how you might share these messages on social media or in a conversation.

  • Cow comfort is a top priority on dairy farms. It’s the right thing to do, and it leads to high-quality, wholesome milk.

  • Some farmers house their animals in freestall or traditional red barns that provide protection from wind and cold temperatures. Dairy cows prefer shelter from Wisconsin’s temperature extremes.

  • Inside, dairy farmers provide clean, dry bedding for their cows and access to food and water 24 hours a day.
Cold Weather Calf Care

Calves are the future of every dairy herd, and they need extra care in winter months. Cows are cold weather animals with thick skin and fur coats, however as with any newborn, calves need TLC in their first few hours of life. Here are some talking points to share with consumers about caring for calves in freezing temperatures.

  • Calves use more energy in the winter to heat their bodies than they do in the summer. They are often given an extra feeding that provides extra calories to burn.

  • After calves are born, they are quickly moved to a warm environment, frequently using heat lamps or a heated room to prevent health challenges that can be brought on by cold weather. Farmers do all they can to care for calves and have been known to even bring them inside the house to warm them up.

  • Dairy farmers use deep straw bedding to give the calves more insulation in subzero temperatures. To further protect the calves from the cold, farmers use calf coats which repel water and act as an additional layer of warmth. 

Social Media 101: Improving Your Platforms

Social media is a powerful tool to educate consumers about agriculture. Whether you are just starting with social media or are a veteran, there are steps you can take to improve your social media platforms, from Facebook to Instagram to Twitter. Take advantage of everything social media has to offer, and use some of these tips to continue educating consumers about the role agriculture plays in their lives.

  • Post consistently. You should develop a routine posting schedule so your story does not go unnoticed. Posting consistently increases interest in your page and helps you reach more people. Try to keep eight hours between Facebook posts to get the most reach.

  • Be selective about what you share. When it comes to figuring out what to share on social media, quality outweighs quantity. You want to publish content consistently, but it also has to be valuable. Quality content is relevant to your audience, helpful and entertaining.

  • Post videos. Videos get the most shares on Facebook and the most retweets on Twitter. Instagram is a platform that only hosts videos or images. Post videos of everyday farm life, beautiful landscapes and, of course, the cows.
Dairy Link of the Month: Eat Wisconsin Cheese

According to the USDA, the average American consumed 35 pounds of cheese in 2016, a roughly one-pound increase since 2014. This is great news in the America's Dairyland, which produces 26% of the cheese made in the U.S. Support this growing trend by sharing cheese-rich recipes and cheese pairings, all found at EatWisconsinCheese.com, on your social media platforms.  
If you have questions about this newsletter, would like more information, or have topic ideas, please contact Brenda Murphy, bmurphy@wmmb.org ,  608-836-8820.