Qualicum Cheeseworks and HFF! (Set 1 of 2) (+8 insets!)

(+8 insets!) (please view large!)

Trip Talk: Visiting Morningstar Farm
If you can believe it, on the same day that we went to Englishman River Falls and Little Qualicum Falls, we also visited the Qualicum Cheeseworks! It was actually our first stop because it was a mere 10 minutes' drive from our campsite so we began our day there (I have included a map inset that shows the three locations we visited that day so you can see how close all three destinations were).

I was really excited about visiting this cheesery because it wasn't just a store to buy dairy products from. Instead, the shop was located on their busy farm which was also a totally accessible tour destination. Visitors are offered a self-guided tour map that included clear signage along the way and explanations of what happens on a dairy farm. Other than the complete cow-to-dairy process, there was also petting area to meet farm animals, antique equipment to look at and even a video area with seating to watch their farm presentation! How cool is that?!

Steve and I were extremely impressed by the Qualicum Cheesework's operation. We are fascinated by how things work so getting a chance to look behind the scenes of a dairy farm was so much fun!

Today's Pictures
My main picture isn't really beautiful but it does show the main stars of Morningstar Farm! Every day the cows are fed in the main barn and nearby is a robotic milking system which cows line up to go into! They are treated to the most delicious food inside, individually blended for each cow and based on the data gathered by the special collars they wear!

The process goes like this: a gate opens, a cow enters the milking machine area and the gates close behind her. A milking machine washes and disinfects her udder, attaches onto her teats, checks to make sure the milk is free of issues and then proceeds to milk her. When no more milk is detected from any teat, the machine then detaches and pulls away, the gate in front of the cow opens and out she walks! Meanwhile, the next cow is waiting for the gate to open so she can have her turn! This entire process takes less than 10 minutes per cow and results in content and happy cows which aren't over-milked and have current information on their health and well-being. I invite you to watch this video which shows what a robotic milking operation looks like--it's totally fascinating! Video: how automatic milking works (By the way, you'll also see an automatic rotary brush as an enticement for the cows and Morningstar Farm has one too! It's so funny to watch the cows turn this way and that to get the brush scrubbing exactly the right spot!)

Insets include pictures of a day-old Holstein calf licking Steve's hand and another one which shows it relaxing in its softly bedded stall (there were three other babies for company!); there's a picture of workers using farm equipment with a grain silo in the background, an image of a darling goat and finally three pictures of lovely pair of Welsh ponies relaxing in the warm sunshine.

Pam, I can't remember if you mentioned living on a dairy farm before. I think you grew up on a farm though, yes? You lucky stinker. I know it's a lot of hard work but it was always a dream of mine to live in such a place. It's no wonder the James Herriot books continue to be favorites to this day! I would love to stay at a farm for a week sometime to get the opportunity to experience this life. :) Hey, thanks for your lovely comments on my last presentation--you left me all a-glow! :D *BIG HUGS from southern Oregon* :D

Explored on 2/29/20; highest placement #7.