A morning surrounded by calves, looking at adult cows and learning about their milk process—that is what the adventurer girl did in Vaquería Martínez farm in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. She loved it! She liked very much that she was able to see the cow’s different development stages during the Vaca Tour (Cow Tour) given by Martínez Dairy.

Pablo Martínez, grandson of Vaquería Martínez’s founder, led the adventurer girl and the rest of the group to different stations. The adventurer girl was hypnotized by a calf at the first station, the nursery. Pablo explained that calves arrive to the nursery right after breast-feeding process ends. Following 40 days (avg.) in the nursery, calves are moved to another station named “Colonias” (colonies) where they are grouped according to their age. The adventurer girl also had fun in this station as she fed calves and mingled with them. It was interesting seeing calves posing for the camera. After six months, their next place of residence is the field, where they stay in different pieces of land as they are separated by age group, as stated by Pablo. At the opposite side of the colony station, beautiful sights of cows walking in the farm were seen. Also, the adventurer girl was lucky to watch pregnant cows in another area where they are better protected until it is time to give birth.

According to Pablo, Vaquería Martínez raises two types of cows: Holstein Friesan breed, a black and white cow, and Jersey breed, a cream or light brown cow. He said these breeds are known worldwide for their high milk productivity. Jersey cows’ milk has higher level of fat than milk from Holstein Friesan and even other breeds, as explained by Pablo. Pablo emphasized that these cows are milked every 12 hours in the farm.

Everyone was awaiting with enthusiasm the next show: milking a cow. Pablo milked a Jersey cow while explaining the steps and tactic for the task. The cow ate its food while it was being milked—good strategy to keep it calm during the process. The adventurer girl was astonished by the milking device’s use. To learn about all the steps, it is preferable you schedule a visit to this farm. It is worthy.

Pablo later showed the tank where milk is stored until Tres Monjitas truck arrives to retrieve it from the tank. Vaquería Martínez sells milk to Tres Monjitas which processes and sells it to consumers in Puerto Rico. The milk from this farm is also used by other company to manufacture Indulac cheese in Puerto Rico.

By the end of the tour, the adventurer girl happily ate artisanal chocolate ice cream made with milk produced at this farm. She liked it very much. We tasted vanilla ice cream, which was very creamy and good.

Martínez Dairy’s tours are available on Saturdays and Sundays, at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm, subject to prior reservation. School or camp groups, and any other group of 20+ persons, may schedule the tour for Fridays al 10:00 am, subject to availability. T.: 787-598-0274