THE COWS
At Edaleen, we’re more than just milk and ice cream. While those are at the heart of what we do, they’re only part of a much bigger story.
Everything begins with our cows. They make it possible for us to provide the fresh, high-quality products you know and love, and we never lose sight of that. Our cows are the foundation of our operation, and we honor them by prioritizing their care every single day.
From our farmers and veterinarians to our nutritionists - and Ed himself - each member of our team is committed to their well-being. We take seriously the responsibility of caring for these animals, continually investing in the latest science, technology, and thoughtful practices, all grounded in the genuine care and dedication from our farmers.
WHY AREN'T THEY NAMED?
Why do we use ear tag numbers and not just regular names for all our cows?
Well, the answer is pretty simple - identification, medical records, milk production and breeding. All of which benefit and protect the overall health of the cow.
1. Individual Identification - Just like a name tag, we use ear tags to distinguish one cow from another. And with our 1,200 cows, this is very important!
2. Medical Records - Humans aren’t the only one’s seeing the doc! Ear tags have links to cows’ vaccination, illness, treatment and calving history via their vet.
3. Milk Production - We can monitor how much milk each cow is producing and how consistently she does it (through our robots), which is essential to her well-being.
4. Breeding - Tags help track parentage, calving dates and genetic lines, which is imperative to responsible breeding and herd improvement.
To most, 304 might just be a number - but to us, it’s how we provide the best care and attention to each of our cows. And trust us, 304 is more than just a tag - she’s a superstar in the barn and one of our favorite milk makers!
COWS HAVE APPLE WATCHES?
No, it’s not jewelry (though our cows might strut around like it is). You’ve heard about the yellow ear tags on our cows - now let’s talk about the orange one.
Think of it as an Apple Watch for cows (probably even more advanced)! In real time, it gives our farmers valuable insight into each cow’s well-being:
TEMPERATURE MONITORING – A cow running too hot or too cold isn’t just uncomfortable, it’s a health concern. The tag alerts us right away so we can start finding the root cause.
ACTIVITY TRACKING – Just like a step counter for people, it records how much she moves in a day. A sudden dip could mean she’s not feeling well, dealing with hoof pain, etc. A sudden spike? That could be a sign she’s in heat. Whatever the cause, it’s imperative to our cows and farmers to figure it out.
CUD CHEWING COUNT – Believe it or not, the tag even tracks how many times a cow chews her cud. (Yes, that’s an important health indicator too)!
Here’s why: cows are ruminant animals, meaning they have a four-part stomach designed to break down tough plant materials like grass and hay. After a cow eats, she brings small amounts of food back up from her stomach to re-chew it (tasty right?) this process is called rumination (or cud chewing). The more a cow chews her cud, the happier and healthier she usually is. It shows she’s comfortable, relaxed, and her digestion is working just right.
So, while they may just look like a cute earring, these little orange tags give us a direct line to our cows’ hearts (and bodies) - helping us keep them healthy and happy, everyday of the year.