Around 6 in the morning, the farmer couple lead their cows to the milking parlour. Winter and summer, there are two milkings per day, one in the morning and one at evening. Department of Tarn, December 2009The dairy farmer leads his cows for the first milking of the day. The winter season is the period of peak milk production. Department of Tarn, December 2009The dairy farmer directs his Prim’Holstein cows to their places on the milking platform for the first milking of the day. Department of Tarn, December 2009In the milking parlour, a dairy farmer disinfects the udder of a cow before attaching the milking machine. Department of Tarn, December 2009At the entrance to the milking parlour two cows wait their turn. The winter season is the period of peak milk production, after calving Prim’Holstein cows produce about 40 liters per day. Department of Tarn, November 2009In the milking parlour, a dairy farmer dries the disinfected udder of a cow before attaching the milking machine. During this period (after calving) Prim’Holstein cows produce about 40 liters per day. Department of Tarn, December 2009Twice a day, the dairy farmer feeds his calves individually in their stalls. They won't produce milk until the end of two years. Department of Tarn, November 2009In the nursery where the young calves are kept, the dairy farmer in conversation with his father who came to get some news. Tonight the veterinarian had to be called to rescue a difficult calving. Department of Tarn, December 2009Scene at the end of the first milking of the day. During this period of peak milk production, milking takes about an hour and a half. Department of Tarn, December 2009After each milking the farmer cleans the room and the equipment. Department of Tarn, December 2009Twice a day after each milking, the dairy farming couple clean the milking parlour and the waiting area, as well as the rear passageway that the cows take. Department of Tarn, November 2009The dairy farmer is preparing to vaccinate his heifers against Q fever. Department of Tarn, November 2009A technician prepares to artificially inseminate this cow, identified as being in heat by the dairy farmer. Department of Tarn, December 2009Early in the afternoon, the dairy farmer begins to de-horn his young calves. This is done mainly to prevent them from hurting each other with their horns. Department of Tarn, November 2009The dairy farmer tethers a heifer in order to give her a vaccination against Q fever. Department of Tarn, November 2009In the stable, the dairy farmer gives a nutritional supplement to a cow who is beginning to lactate. Department of Tarn, December 2009Once a month, with the help of his neighbours and with machinery owned in common, the dairy farmer entirely removes the bedding, cleaning and disinfecting the stable. Department of Tarn, December 2009Once a month, with the help of his neighbours, the dairy farmer entirely removes the bedding, cleaning and disinfecting the stable. Department of Tarn, December 2009Scene in the shed where the bales of straw are stored. Department of Tarn, April 2010Once a month, with the help of his neighbours, the dairy farmer entirely removes the bedding, cleaning and disinfecting the stable, then adds new straw. Department of Tarn, December 2009The dairy farmer uncovers the silo that is going to be used for corn silage to feed his herd. Department of Tarn, November 2009The dairy farmer prepares a feed mixture (a meal made of oil-rich grain) that supplements his own production (silage, hay and barley flour). Department of Tarn, December 2009In the stable the dairy farmer delivers feed to his cows. Department of Tarn, November 2009After the breakfast break, a dairy farming couple and their neighbour (come to lend a hand) watch a video made by the APLI (Association nationale des Producteurs de Lait Indépendants). This is for the purpose of defending the interests of small milk producers in the face of a significant drop in price and a national average decline in revenue of 54%. Department of Tarn, November 2009A dairy farmer checks his balance sheet in the face of a significant drop in price and a national average decline in revenue of 54%. He hopes not to end up in deficit, like many farms that could find themselves out of business. Department of Tarn, December 2009A public meeting organized by the APLI (Association nationale des Producteurs de Lait Indépendants) in a recreation hall in a village. The APLI is trying to create a milk bureau to defend the interests of small milk producers in the face of a significant drop in price and a national average decline in revenue of 54%. Department of Tarn, November 2009The dairy farming couple at public meeting organized by the APLI (Association nationale des Producteurs de Lait Indépendants) in a recreation hall in a village. The APLI is trying to create a milk bureau to defend the interests of small milk producers in the face of a significant drop in price and a national average decline in revenue of 54%. Department of Tarn, November 2009Scene on a family farm. The dairy farmer is getting ready to feed his heifers while his mother prepares cauliflower. Department of Tarn, December 2009The dairy farmer affixes a numbered tag to a young calf which provides for her lifelong identification and monitoring. Department of Tarn, December 2009The dairy farming couple cross the yard leading a young calf to her stall with the heifers. She will begin to produce milk at the end of her second year. Department of Tarn, December 2009Mini-siesta for a dairy farmer. He would like to have one every day, but the workload on the farm doesn't allow one very often. Department of Tarn, December 2009A dairy farmer returns to his barn in the mid-afternoon to get ready for the second milking of the day. Department of Tarn, December 2009The dairy farmer cleans the infirmary side of the barn where a cow in heat waits for the arrival of a technician who will give her an artificial insemination. Department of Tarn, November 2009In the mid-afternoon, the dairy farmer is going to empty a trailer of manure. The manure will be used to fertilize the fields. Department of Tarn, December 2009The dairy farmer has just opened the valve of his reservoir to prevent it from being damaged by the ice. This reservoir provides him with additional water needed to irrigate his fields, of corn mainly. Department of Tarn, December 2009The dairy farmer has just borrowed from his neighbour the tractor and the mixer that he will use to feed his herd. The equipment belongs to a neighbour who rents it in the spirit of cooperation. Department of Tarn, December 2009In the stable, distributing, approximately every day, of the feed that is produced partly by the farmer himself. Department of Tarn, November 2009Everyday in the wintertime, before the evening milking, the dairy farmer goes to the shed for the straw (which he produces mainly by himself) to bed the stable. Fresh bedding is important to prevent the risk, for example, of mastitis. Department of Tarn, December 2009At the end of the day, cows are led back to the milking parlour for the second daily milking. Winter and summer, there are two milkings per day, one in the morning and one at evening. Department of Tarn, December 2009Everyday the dairy farmer provides fresh straw for the stalls of the little calves. Department of Tarn, December 2009During the evening milking, the dairy farmer injects a local antibiotic in a cow that has mastitis. Without treatment the mastitis might become chronic, and in rare cases become aggravated and lead to the death of the cow. Department of Tarn, December 2009In the milking parlour, the milk inspector (who comes one day per month at the time of the two milkings) takes some milk samples which are sent to a laboratory for analysis. Department of Tarn, December 2009Twice a day, the dairy farmer feeds the calves individually in their stalls. Department of Tarn, December 2009The wife of the dairy farmer sets aside some milk for making yogurt, under the eye of her father-in-law who has come to lend a hand in the stable. Department of Tarn, December 2009Milk collection every two days in the evening. The milk collector measures the volume of milk in the tank. On this farm, during this peak period, the production is 2 700 liters in two days for forty cows. Department of Tarn, November 2009At the end of collecting the milk which is now on its way to the dairy. This milk will then be transported to Barcelona where it will be packaged in milk cartons for Spanish consumption. Department of Tarn, December 2009In the middle of the night the dairy farmer comes several times to check on a cow who is about to calve. The birth has been expected for a week. Department of Tarn, December 2009In the middle of the night, the dairy farmer is obliged to call the veterinarian for a complicated calving because the calf is too big. Even with a calving device it is impossible to pull the calf out. Department of Tarn, December 2009In the middle of the night, the dairy farmer is obliged to call the veterinarian for a complicated calving because the calf is too big. The veterinarian then performs a Caesarean section. Department of Tarn, December 2009In the middle of the night, the dairy farmer is obliged to call the veterinarian for a complicated calving because the calf is too big. The veterinarian then performs a Caesarean section. Department of Tarn, December 2009In the middle of the night, the dairy farmer is obliged to call the veterinarian for a complicated calving because the calf is too big. The veterinarian performed a Caesarean section and now he is getting ready to suture. Department of Tarn, December 2009A dairy farming couple, in the middle of the night, just after a difficult calving that required a call to the veterinarian. There are no more than two hours left for them to sleep before the first milking of the day. Department of Tarn, December 2009Springtime in the garden of the dairy farmer’s father. He is watering his onions. Department of Tarn, April 2010The dairy farmer fills the bin of the manure spreader. The equipment is provided by CUMA (Coopérative d'utilisation de matériel agricole) of which he is a member. Department of Tarn, April 2010The dairy farmer spreads manure on his fields where he is planning later on planting barley, maize, ryegrass or clover, which he will use to feed his cows. Department of Tarn, April 2010The dairy farmer, with the help of his retired neighbour, is cleaning the manure spreader before returning it to CUMA (Coopérative d'utilisation de matériel agricole) of which he is a member. Department of Tarn, April 2010To plow his fields, the dairy farmer has just borrowed a tractor from CUMA (Coopérative d'utilisation de matériel agricole) of which he is a member. Department of Tarn, April 2010To plow his fields, the dairy farmer has borrowed a tractor from CUMA (Coopérative d'utilisation de matériel agricole) of which he is a member. Department of Tarn, April 2010The dairy farmer brings some coffee and chocolatines to a farm worker that he shares with another farmer and who works on his dairy farm once a week. Today his job is to plow a field. Department of Tarn, April 2010After plowing his field, the dairy farmer cleans the borrowed tractor before returning it to CUMA (Coopérative d'utilisation de matériel agricole). Department of Tarn, April 2010Close to the water reservoir that he uses to water his fields, the dairy farmer rounds up his cows to lead them to the milking parlour. Department of Tarn, April 2010An agricultural technician mixes a herbicide solution to spray on the fields of the dairy farmer. Department of Tarn, April 2010An agricultural technician mixes a herbicide solution to spray on the fields of the dairy farmer. Department of Tarn, April 2010An agricultural technician spays a herbicide solution on the fields of the dairy farmer. Department of Tarn, April 2010The dairy farmer is getting ready to spread fertilizer on one of his fields. Department of Tarn, April 2010The dairy farmer is getting ready to spread fertilizer on one of his fields. Department of Tarn, April 2010The dairy farmer is spreading fertilizer on a field where this year he will be planting maize. Department of Tarn, April 2010To plow his fields, the dairy farmer borrows a tractor from CUMA (Coopérative d'utilisation de matériel agricole) of which he is a member. Department of Tarn, April 2010While his mother looks on, the dairy farmer is getting ready to plant maize with the tractor and planting equipment borrowed from CUMA (Coopérative d'utilisation de matériel agricole). Department of Tarn, April 2010The dairy farmer is getting ready to plant maize with the the tractor and planting equipment borrowed from CUMA (Coopérative d'utilisation de matériel agricole). Department of Tarn, April 2010On a field that has now been plowed, the dairy farmer is planting maize with the help of a tractor and planting equipment borrowed from CUMA (Coopérative d'utilisation de matériel agricole). The maize, which he will silage, is an important grain that feeds his cows throughout the year. Department of Tarn, April 2010Late at night the dairy farmer is planting maize with the tractor and planting equipment borrowed from CUMA (Coopérative d'utilisation de matériel agricole). Department of Tarn, April 2010The dairy farmer is mowing a parcel of land where this year he has planted ryegrass. He will put it in silage tomorrow. Department of Tarn, April 2010Late into the night the dairy farmer is still mowing a parcel of land where this year he has planted ryegrass. He will put it in silage tomorrow. Department of Tarn, April 2010The dairy farmer, with the help of his neighbours, is making silage from a field where this year he has planted ryegrass. Department of Tarn, April 2010The dairy farmer, with the help of his neighbours, is making silage from ryegrass which he will use to feed his cows. Department of Tarn, April 2010A mid-day meal break at the farmer’s house with his neighbours. Every year they help each other make silage. Department of Tarn, April 2010The finishing touches to an extension of the dairy which will now hold a second tank. The investment was necessary because the collection truck comes less frequently, every 3 days now instead of every 2. Department of Tarn, May 2011The dairy was enlarged in order to install a second tank. This investment was necessary because the collection truck comes less frequently, every 3 days now instead of every 2. Department of Tarn, May 2011The dairy farmer calculates the yield per hectare of barley that he has just harvested. It was just about halved because of the dryness during the spring : 45 quintals (hundredweight) per hectare. Department of Tarn, July 2011The dairy farmer checks the rain gauge. The spring of 2011 was exceptional for its low rainfall, the ground all over the country experienced a level of dryness not recorded in late spring for the past 50 years. As a result, autosufficiency is out of the question and it will be necessary to buy straw. Department of Tarn, May 2011 The father of the dairy farmer looks after the fences and with his sickle he cuts back the weeds that entangle them. When they touch the electric wire they cause a useless discharge of electricity. Department of Tarn, May 2011The dairy farmer tests if the ryegrass is dry enough (by smell and whether it is dry to the touch) before making it into hay bales that will feed his cows. This year, because of an exceptionally dry spring, his crop is barely sufficient. Department of Tarn, June 2011The dairy farmer is mowing ryegrass. Afterwards he will make bales of hay to feed his cows. This year, because of an exceptionally dry spring, his crop is barely sufficient. Department of Tarn, June 2011The dairy farmer, with the help of his neighbour (who raises sheep), picks up the bales of ryegrass he will use to feed his cows. This year, because of an exceptionally dry spring, his crop is barely sufficient. Department of Tarn, June 2011The dairy farmer, with the help of his neighbour (who raises sheep), picks up the bales of ryegrass he will use to feed his cows. This year, because of an exceptionally dry spring, his crop is barely sufficient. Department of Tarn, June 2011The father of the dairy farmer checks that the ryegrass is well dried. These bales of hay will be used to feed his cows. This year, because of an exceptionally dry spring, his crop is barely sufficient. Department of Tarn, June 2011 The dairy farmer, assisted by his neighbour (a sheep farmer) and the owner of the machine, prepares to wrap the bales of hay (which preserves the quality of the hay). Department of Tarn, June 2011The dairy farmer wraps up the bales of hay, this preserves the quality of the hay. Department of Tarn, June 2011On a walk with her young son, the dairy farmer’s wife has come to see the last of the hay wrapping. Department of Tarn, June 2011Outside the stable, on a walk with her young son, the dairy farmer’s wife in a conversation with her husband’s father. Department of Tarn, June 2011After breakfast in the dairy farmer’s kitchen. Today’s schedule and a shopping list for the trip they make to town about every 15 days. Department of Tarn, June 2011Scene in the kitchen-dining room of the family house. Department of Tarn, June 2011Reading the mail in the kitchen of the family house while the dairy farmer is at work on the farm. Department of Tarn, June 2011Scene in the kitchen-dining room of the family house. Department of Tarn, June 2011At CUMA (Coopération d'Utilisation de Matériel Agricole), the dairy farmer picks out a tool to repair his tractor with one of the employees at the site. Department of Tarn, August 2011The dairy farmer and one of the CUMA employees (Coopération d'Utilisation de Matériel Agricole) inspect the tractor that he has just returned after using it in his fields. Department of Tarn, July 2011The dairy farmer welds the forward steering arm of the tractor his father is in the process of repairing. Department of Tarn, July 2011The father of the dairy farmer has replaced the arm (welded by his son) of the forward steering mechanism of the tractor. Department of Tarn, July 2011Every day the father of the dairy farmer cleans the stable. Department of Tarn, July 2011The dairy farmer fills his tractor with petrol. Department of Tarn, July 2011The dairy farmer is installing irrigation equipment in one of his corn fields. The water will come from his little artificial lake. Department of Tarn, July 2011The dairy farmer is installing irrigation equipment in one of his corn fields. The water will come from his little artificial lake. Department of Tarn, July 2011The dairy farmer opens an irrigation valve in one of his corn fields. The water comes from his little artificial lake. Department of Tarn, July 2011Nightfall, the dairy farmer and his wife come out to watch the barley harvest. Department of Tarn, July 2011The dairy farmer and one of the two combine drivers take a break, having a talk and watching the work in the fields where the barley is being harvested. Department of Tarn, July 2011The dairy farmer tests the dampness of the barley harvest that is being loaded into the grain bin. Because of the dry spring this year he will be self-sufficient but he won’t be able to sell any surplus. Department of Tarn, July 2011The dairy farmer is seeing how much room is left in the barley bin where he is loading his harvest with the help of this transporter that he has borrowed from CUMA (Coopérative d'Utilisation de Matériel Agricole). Because of the dry spring this year he will be self-sufficient but he won’t be able to sell any surplus. Department of Tarn, July 2011After the barley harvest, the dairy farmer hurries to finish baling the straw before a storm ruins everything. This year, because of an exceptionally dry spring, his own crop won’t be sufficient and he will be obliged to buy a larger quantity. Department of Tarn, 2011After the barley harvest, the dairy farmer bales straw. This year, because of an exceptionally dry spring, his own crop won’t be sufficient and he will be obliged to buy a larger quantity. Department of Tarn, 2011The delivery of straw to the dairy farm. This year, because of an exceptionally dry spring, his own crop won’t be sufficient and he will be obliged to buy a larger quantity. Department of Tarn, 2011With equipment borrowed from CUMA (Coopérative d'Utilisation de Matériel Agricole) of which he is a member, the dairy farmer stacks the straw he has just purchased in his shed. Department of Tarn, July 2011Settling up for the delivery of straw in the home of the dairy farmer. This year, because of an exceptionally dry spring, his own crop won’t be sufficient and he is obliged to buy a larger quantity. Because of its scarcity, the price is higher than usual. Department of Tarn, July 2011The dairy farmer is fetching some ryegrass that was wrapped up in June to feed his heifers. Department of Tarn, September 2011Following the morning milking, the dairy farmer is conducting his cows to pasture. Department of Tarn, July 2011The dairy farmer is carrying a bale of ryegrass that was wrapped up in June to feed his heifers. Department of Tarn, September 2011The dairy farmer is distributing a food mixture (meal pellets - oilseed) that supplements his own production (silage, barley hay and flour). Department of Tarn, July 2011The dairy farmer sells the butcher a cow that limps and isn’t productive any longer. Department of Tarn, September 2011The dairy farmer finishes detatching the placenta from a cow that has just calved. Department of Tarn, September 2011The farmer is feeding this little newborn calf with her mother’s milk so that she will incorporate the antibodies as quickly as possible. Department of Tarn, September 2011The dairy farmer is taking this little newborn calf to the nursery. Department of Tarn, September 2011The wife and the son of the dairy farmer watching him returning the cows for the 2nd milking of the day. Department of Tarn, July 2011A visit to the farm by the family and some friends from Canada. Department of Tarn, August 2011A scene in the stable. Department of Tarn, July 2011The dairy farmer is hand milking a cow who has mastitis (an inflammation of the mammary gland) in order to relieve her udder and make her expell her milk which must not contaminate that of the herd. Without treatment mastitis can become chronic and in rare cases can degenerate and lead to the death of the cow. Department of Tarn, July 2011Scene in the milking parlour. Summer and winter, the milk is collected twice a day. Department of Tarn, July 2011The dairy farmer asks this farm labourer who will work on two farms, his own and his neighbour’s, to sign a contract. He will come to the farm once per week. Finding a good employee is very difficult because the trade demands a lot of skills and overworked farmers snatch them up. Department of Tarn, July 2011In the CUMA yard (Coopérative d'Utilisation de Matériel Agricole), the dairy farmer shows his farm worker how to operate this tractor which he plans on using in his fields to aerate the soil with the decompacter. This employee will work on two farms, his own and that of his neighbour. He will come to his farm once per week. Finding a good employee is very difficult because the trade demands a lot of skills and overworked farmers snatch them up. Department of Tarn, July 2011Toward the end of the day the dairy farmer plants clover to feed his cows. He has the help of equipment borrowed from CUMA (Coopérative d'Utilisation de Matériel Agricole). Department of Tarn, July 2011With equipment borrowed from CUMA (Coopérative d'Utilisation de Matériel Agricole), of which he is a member, the dairy farmer runs a cultipaker over the furrows to break up the clods before planting clover to feed his cows. Department of Tarn, July 2011The dairy farmer is moving irrigation equipment from one corn field to another. The water will come from his little artificial lake. Department of Tarn, July 2011The dairy farmer is installing irrigation equipment in one of his corn fields. The water will come from his little artificial lake. Department of Tarn, July 2011While silaging the maize, the harvester has run into trouble and a mechanic has come to repair it. In a single day, with the help of his neighbours, the dairy farmer will put into silage his 10 hectares of maize needed to feed his cows. Department of Tarn, September 2011In a single day, with the help of his neighbours, the dairy farmer puts into silage his 10 hectares of maize needed to feed his cows for the year. The harvester is furnished by the hour with 2 drivers by an agricultural contractor. Department of Tarn, September 2011In a single day the dairy farmer puts into silage his 10 hectares of maize needed to feed his cows for the year. His neighbour who raises sheep drives the tractor trailing the bin to hold the maize. Department of Tarn, September 2011In a single day, with the help of his neighbours, the dairy farmer puts into silage his 10 hectares of maize needed to feed his cows for the year. The harvester is furnished by the hour with 2 drivers by an agricultural contractor. Department of Tarn, September 2011A noonday meal break with the team of neighbours assembled to help silage the maize. In a single day a dozen hectares of this grain have been put in silage. In this way they help each other, each lending a hand on the other’s farm when it’s time for the big harvests. Department of Tarn, September 2011A noonday meal break with the team of neighbours assembled to help silage the maize. In a single day a dozen hectares of this grain have been put in silage. In this way they help each other, each lending a hand on the other’s farm when it’s time for the big harvests. Department of Tarn, September 2011In a single day, with the help of his neighbours and a farm worker who comes to his farm once a week, the dairy farmer has finished the silage of his 10 hectares of maize needed to feed his cows for the year. Department of Tarn, September 2011On the Porsche tractor that he has refurbished, the father of the dairy farmer plows his kitchen garden. Department of Tarn, July 2011The farmer’s mother gathers a salad in the kitchen garden. Department of Tarn, September 2011The first steps of the dairy farmer’s son, guided by his maternal grandfather. Department of Tarn, August 2011In the storeroom the dairy farmer’s father chooses a pumpkin to give to the photographer. Department of Tarn, October 2011The dairy farmer with the help of his mother are filling jars of watermelon jam. Department of Tarn, December 2009The dairy farmer’s father fixes his sister’s broken grandfather clock. He is testing the adjustment of the pendulum by ear. Department of Tarn, September 2011The dairy farmer’s father fixes his sister’s broken grandfather clock. He is testing the adjustment of the pendulum by ear. Department of Tarn, September 2011To counter the acidity of his soil, the dairy farmer has contacted a company to spread calcium on his fields. Department of Tarn, September 2011Every day the dairy farmer’s father (age 80) waits for his son to finish the twice-daily milkings before cleaning up the small pieces of equipment. Department of Tarn, October 2011In the dining room of the dairy farmer's parents, an arial photo of the farm made 20 years ago. Department of Tarn, October 2011
