Birthing pg 5 8-23-12
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- Category: Past Issues
WOODSTOCK — There is nothing more special than the joy of watching a new life enter this world and it’s something that Woodstock fairgoers will once again get to experience this year.
For the sixth consecutive year, the Woodstock Fair presents its birthing center where cows calf right before wide-eyed spectators.
“We’re the only fair in New England that has a birthing center and we have always had at least one cow give birth during the fair,” said birthing center superintendent Doug Child.
Like in most cases, when a cow actually gives birth is not an exact science, but those who run the birthing center have tried to take the guess work out of it. There are generally about 25 cows from two local farms, ValleySide Farms and Fairholm Farm, that are due near the time of the Woodstock Fair.
“The goal is to have two calves every day,” Child said.
Last year, two cows gave birth when the Fair was open. That’s not necessarily the case at all times and when births happen without fairgoers around, they are filmed and shown throughout the day at the birthing center.
“It’s a chance for people to see something they have never seen and kids really love it,” Child said.
In addition to the birthing center, the barnyard babies will feature a sow and her litter of 8 to 10 pigs; at least 20 baby chickens, two baby Alpacas and approximately five mother goats with their babies.