The Cow Who Helped Build Our Herd

We had to say goodbye to good ol' Shimmer, our favorite milk cow.

Friday morning, when Matt went out to milk, he found her in labor. A bull calf was partially delivered, but sadly, it had already died. Shimmer had developed milk fever and couldn't get to her feet.

Our veterinarian came right away and administered IV calcium, hoping it would give her the strength to stand. By noon, she still wasn't up, so the vet returned to treat her again. Throughout the day, Shimmer tried over and over to get back on her feet. We moved her to the pasture where she would be more comfortable, and she continued to fight, but despite every effort, she never could stand again.

People sometimes wonder how a farmer can become attached to livestock. After all, they're "just cows."

They're part of our everyday lives. We care for them before the sun comes up and long after the day is done. We celebrate healthy calves, worry when they're sick, and do everything we can to help them remain healthy and productive. When you've spent years caring for an animal, it's impossible not to become attached.

Our family has lots of memories with Shimmer.

Andrew and I bought her at our very first dairy sale. I still remember watching the family selling their herd, wiping away tears as each cow left the barn.

Hannah chose Shimmer for her senior pictures. Andrew included her in his engagement photos. Our kids showed her in our county fair. Whenever visitors came to the farm, Shimmer was usually the first one at the gate, happy to be scratched and admired.

She was the boss of the herd—and she knew it.

Shimmer was born in January 2016 and spent ten years doing exactly what a good dairy cow is meant to do. During her lifetime, she provided an abundance of milk for our family and our herd share owners. She gave us six heifer calves and two bull calves, with only her last calf being lost. Today, her legacy continues through 12 granddaughters and seven great-granddaughters, and many of them are still part of our herd.

For a dairy farmer, a cow's value isn't measured only by the milk she gives. It's measured in years of faithful service, in the generations she leaves behind, and in the countless memories made along the way.

So yes, I cried over a cow, as she was a part of our family farm.

Cows will come and go, but this one will remain a special memory for us.

Thank you, Shimmer, for serving our family so well. We'll miss seeing you at the gate.