Wednesday: Mother Nature made her own schedule

Mother Nature decided to run her own course on Wednesday. It was a busy day for the animals at the AgStar Miracle of Birth Center. The births started early in the morning at 1 a.m. with a sow who had 14 piglets. During the evening we have someone on staff to watch over the animals and assist the births if necessary.

Piglets shortly after they were born.

The next sow decided to start farrowing (giving birth) at about 7 a.m. This sow delivered 19 piglets.

Piglets drinking from their mother.

While the pig was giving birth, the cow also went into labor at about 8 a.m. With all the morning action, the Miracle of Birth Center staff tried to get the gates to the Center open as soon as they were able. By 10 a.m., the third sow decided it would also give birth to 11 piglets.

More piglets.

At 2 p.m., the calf name was revealed. Through text messages, the most popular name was Daisy. She and her mother were transported home to Gar-Lin Dairy Farms later that evening.

By 3 p.m., the next cow looked like she was next. But it turned out to be a false alarm. She decided not to have her baby yet.

A crowd watches as the veterinarians on staff checked the cow. 

However, the fourth and final sow didn't want to feel left out. At about 4:30 p.m., the last sow gave birth to 13 piglets.

More piglets after they were born earlier that day.

Although we would have liked to space out the births and had them all during the hours we were open, Mother Nature had a different idea.

Throughout the day, visitors were able to visit with Princess Kay of the Milky, Mary Zauhrones, and Goodhue and Olmsted County dairy princesses.

Princess Kay poses for a picture with Miracle of Birth Center visitor, Leah Sheehan.

Princess Kay reads a book to visitors to the Miracle of Birth Center during story time.

The first newborn calf of the fair!

The AgStar Miracle of Birth Center is open and people are coming to visit! We started off the morning with a newborn calf at 6:30. He is a bull (boy) calf whose name is Charlie! Come out to the fair to visit him!

A bull calf, Charlie, was born this morning at 6:30. 

Charlie got his name from people who are a part of the mobile club and texted in their choice. To be a part of this process and receive texts before and after animals give birth, text the word "birth" to 82942.

The afternoon kicked off with the second annual celebrity milking contest. Mayor Ardell Brede started off the competition.

Mayor Ardell Brede milking the artificial cow, Milkshake, in the 2012 celebrity milking contest. 

County Commissioner Ken Brown was the second person in the celebrity milking contest.

County Commissioner Ken Brown takes his turn to milk Milkshake during the 2012 celebrity milking contest.

After the "milk" was measured, Commissioner Brown won the contest! To try Try milking Milkshake for yourself! Come down to the AgStar Miracle of Birth Center in building 43 next to the dairy barn and across from the horse barn. 

The measuring of the "milk."

Jeannette Sheehan, AgStar Miracle of Birth Center planning committee member, stands with County Commissioner and winner of the 2012 celebrity milking contest, Ken Brown.

The two friendly rivals.

Ken Brown with Milkshake.

It's here!

The Olmsted County Fair has started and the AgStar Miracle of Birth Center is open today! Stop by between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. to see the animals. Maybe you'll even be able to catch a birth!

If you come out to the fair around 1:30 p.m., we will be having a special milking contest between Mayor Ardell Brede and County Commissioner Ken Brown. Come cheer on our special guests who will be milking, Milkshake.

Dawn Zollman helps Kia milk the Birth Center's artificial cow,
Milkshake, during the 2011 AgStar Miracle of Birth Center. 

One cow decided to give birth this morning. Although we would have liked for her to wait until we were open today, we can't help Mother Nature! The cow had a bull (boy) calf. He'll be ready for visitors when the Center opens and will be named later today!

Check back often for updates about births and events at the Birth Center! You can also find information on our Facebook page. Search AgStar Miracle of Birth Center or go to www.facebook.com/Miracle.Birth.Center

See you at the fair!

Another exciting day of births!

It was another exciting day yesterday at the AgStar Miracle of Birth Center. We once again had Princess Kay of the Milky Way join us. Along with that, we welcomed eight new piglets and a beautiful bull calf to the Center.

The day was filled with excitement as we listened to Princess Kay of the Milky Way during story time. After that people were able to participate in a scavenger hunt to learn more about agriculture and the AgStar Miracle of Birth Center!  

The rain decided to hit us. Luckily, we had a sow that was ready to farrow so those stuck inside were able to experience the miracle of birth. The sow had eight healthy piglets and they are all doing great! Stop out to to building 43 at the Olmsted County fairgrounds and visit them along with the other three litters of piglets!  

The fun didn't stop there. Shortly after the piglets were born around 5:30 p.m., one of the cows went into labor. Unfortunately, the calf was coming backwards. So we had to assist the cow in giving birth for her safety and the safety of the calf. The bull calf was born around 7 p.m. We am happy to report that mother and baby are doing fantastic!

Today the birth center was crawling with people as well! Everyone loves visiting the new piglets and seeing the chicks, ducks, calves and lambs. At 3:45 p.m. today, the AgStar Miracle of Birth Center welcomed a healthy heifer (girl) calf! The mother did great delivering her and the calf is about ready to start standing!

We still have some chicks left to hatch, a cow to calve and a pig to farrow! So come check out all the baby animals at the AgStar Miracle of Birth Center and learn how to milk a cow!  

Let the fun begin!

Yesterday was a very exciting day and busy day! Princess Kay of the Milky Way, Katie Miron, was able to join us for the day she helped kids learn how to milk a cow and read a story about how milk become the cheese on our pizzas. It was great to have her here interacting with the kids and teaching them things about the dairy industry.

Princess Kay assisted a child milking "Milkshake."

The dairy industry was in full swing yesterday. Not only did Princess Kay join us, but one of our cows calved last night. At 9 P.M we welcomed a healthy baby boy to the AgStar Miracle of Birth Center. We will be naming him tonight at his feeding at 5 P.M., so if you want to help us name him please be here by 5.

Not only did we have a cow calve, we had chicks and ducks hatching. Our first duck hatched yesterday morning as well. There were many visitors that enjoyed holding chicks, petting calves and lambs, and learning more about agriculture.

So please come on out today to view a sow giving birth, meet Princess Kay of the Milky Way, and take pictures with the baby animals!

Grand opening!

Wow, these last couple of days have been crazy at the AgStar Miracle of Birth Center at the Olmsted County fair. Our grand opening occurred yesterday at 12:30 p.m., but one sow could not wait until then. On Monday around 11 a.m. we had our first sow give birth to nine beautiful piglets. If you were not able to be there to see the sow give birth we have footage from the event.

Tuesday was our grand opening; however, before we could get to that event, one of our cows gave birth to a bull calf we named Milky Way. Both mother and calf are doing great. You can come  see Milky Way today and watch him being fed at 5 p.m.

At 12:30 p.m. we had the ribbon cutting ceremony. It was a great event and it was so amazing to see all the people who were there to support the AgStar Miracle of Birth Center. Ardell Brede, the Mayor of Rochester, was there and he even participated in a cow milking contest!

After the grand opening, we had another cow ready to give birth. At 1:30 p.m. Miracle Maddie was born. We named her Miracle Maddie because she was born backwards and upside down. Thankfully, we have a very talented veterinarian on staff to assist the cow while giving birth. There was much concern over the calf, but I am happy to report that both Miracle Maddie and her mother are doing well and are back home at Gar-Lin Farm.

This morning at 2 a.m. we had another liter of piglets born. This time there were 15 piglets! They are so adorable. I encourage all of you to come out and visit the AgStar Miracle of Birth Center today and view the piglets. Princess Kay of the Milky Way will also be here for story time and to take pictures with visitors.