An Iowa dairy farm is so proud of its operation, it would like to show you around. It’s an invitation you should not pass up. Every summer, Jones Dairy Farm in Spencer, Iowa gives public tours that give visitors a chance to get a behind-the-scenes look at a working dairy farm. It’s a window into a world that’s pretty incredible.
Read on to see why.
The Jones Dairy Farm milks 1,000 Jersey cows and you’ll meet them on the tour. The Jersey breed is known for its high butterfat content, which makes it perfect for making cheese.
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The farm has 1,100 acres of crops that help feed the cows - the farm grows corn, alfalfa and winter rye.
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The Jones family has been milking cows for five generations. They opened the current facility - Jones Dairy - in 1997.
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The farm uses technology to keep cows healthy and comfortable. The cows lie down in stalls padded with mattresses and fresh bedding. When you meet them, they will likely seem very happy and relaxed!
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Each cow produces 7 gallons of milk per day the farm can produce 2.1 million gallons of milk in a year! The farm’s milk is shipped to a cheese plant in Minnesota - one of its largest brands is Kraft.
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On the tour, you’ll get to try your hand at milking a cow and you can bottle feed a newborn calf. You can learn all about the farm, see where dairy products come from and how cows here live. You’ll also meet a few llamas that live on the farm.
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Optional: you can kiss one of the cows.
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While this is permitted, it’s not a recommended part of the tour!
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Tours at the farm run from May to August. Get more information on the tour here. Learn more about farm animals at this Iowa farm sanctuary.
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Address: 2544 270th St, Spencer, IA 51301, USA
