Meet the Herd: Greta!
Our bovine partners are really the foundation of our existence here at Sunset View Creamery! Honestly, they are the reason that I want to make cheese on a regular basis- remaining a small farm isn’t an easy feat, but diversification is what will help keep us in business for years to come, and allow me to have cows! Undeniably, our cows take very good care of us. We in turn, take very good care of our cows. Each cow is treated like family because they are part of the SVC family. With that said, I think it is time that we start a series called… Meet the Herd!
The first leading lady that I would like you to meet is Greta! Greta (and Ruthie – a cow I am sure you will meet later) came to us here at SVC by way of a neighboring farmer that was selling his cows. I will be honest and it was her unusual markings and large frame that made me gravitate towards this girl. Greta is a rare breed here in the states, she is a cross between a Holstein and a Montbeliarde. Monte’s are a French breed known for their longevity, fertility, and their milk has excellent cheese making value! In fact, Greta is our “employee of the month” four months running! We test our cows monthly for milk weights, components, and cell counts that allow us to get management reports to take the best care of our girls we can. Greta is always at the top of the list, a fact that I hope she is proud of!
Greta has a very quiet personality. She is a cow that never begs for attention, but enjoys it when given. She doesn’t have a preference on what side of the parlor she comes in on but does prefer to be in the first two groups milked. She has the best curly locks, all the way down her head and through her neck. I fondly call her one of my “Golden Girls.” She tends to lay about half way down the stalls on the North Side of the barn and snoozes hard, sometimes even snoring- no joke! I am really not sure how old Greta is, but based on her frame, udder composition, and reproductive tract we estimate she is at least 7 years old.