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Barnyard Buddies:  Info on a dairy cow please  |
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sacredwolf
Farmgirl in Training
44 Posts
Kristy
Narka
Kansas
USA
44 Posts |
 Posted - Dec 27 2010 : 10:02:08 AM
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I have dairy goats right now but would like to venture into the dairy cattle. I am doing research on the internet but personal information is always the best. I am looking for information on different breeds, milk quality and quantity and any other information you could provide.
Thanks,
Kristy |
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karla
True Blue Farmgirl
1308 Posts
karla
Pella
Iowa
USA
1308 Posts |
Posted - Dec 27 2010 : 3:06:24 PM
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I believe it is Jerseys that have the jighest butterfat, small in stature & gentle. My friend has one and swears by them.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
http://rua2j-grammysheirlooms.blogspot.com/ |
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Wende
True Blue Farmgirl
353 Posts
WENDE
Kansas City
Missouri
USA
353 Posts |
Posted - Dec 27 2010 : 5:47:51 PM
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Hi Kristy,
I have been helping on a farm with Brown Swiss. THey are the most docile cows I have worked with and the have the highest butterfat, but do not produce as HIGH a quantity as a Holstein.
A Holstein crossed with a Brown Swiss will give you the highest quality and quantity.
There is a research paper online about cross breeds and their quality to quantity ratio.
They are also very adaptable to varying tempatures. Also, easy to freshen if you get one with good hooks and pins ( pelvis assembly).
Jersys are great for good quality , but not hight quantity so for a small family use it mght be a better choice.
I myself like the good cream for butter from a Brown Swiss.
Enjoy. WENDE
You know your a Farm Girl when...
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sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Dec 27 2010 : 6:18:55 PM
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well howdy farmgirls, thought i would chime in a little too. lisa my friend here and i both have jerseys. we love our girls. i agree brown swiss are wonderful too. how much milk do you want? how mant times a day do you want to milk. if only once a day then feeding a large cow for a small amount of milk sometimes doesnt pencil out. i milk twice a day. isabelle is a rescue cow. she gives 5 gallons a day. she has only a fron and rear quarter. wonderful cream too. the keeping a family cow book is good to read. the web site can help you too. many there will say number one is disposition of cow matters a lot. i can lead push pull my cow. she is kind gentle and obeys me as head cow. she follows the tractor to pasture or my golf cart. comes when called and knows how to learn new things. this makes it very fun for us both. she will get her own bowl for food. very cute. we use all her milk. we sell some raw to others. we make butter cheese ice cream lots of goodies. i milk with a machine. kris here milks by hand. depends on what you like. i love new girls coming on and sharing their farm experiences. keep us posted to what you decide. there are also minis. we had a mini jersey. hope this helps happy days sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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Rejena
True Blue Farmgirl
149 Posts
Rejena
WY
USA
149 Posts |
Posted - Dec 29 2010 : 7:56:24 PM
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Oh, Oh, Oh...this is perfect. I just posted elsewhere about how we are planning to get a cow next year. I have gotta do some refresher on cows before one arrives at our barn.
We are presently raising goats (30 right now) and chickens and ducks, but I am ready for some farm fresh milk. I worked for a spell as a milker at a local commercial farm. It was fun, hard work but VERY mechanized. I am looking to hand milk our girl. This past kidding I hand milked my share of goatie Mommas, but I was wondering how long does it take to milk out a cow by hand?
What is a good age to be looking to bring onto our farm? I remember VIVIDLY the "bad" attitudes we had at the barn I was milking at. There were some pretty bored cows hanging out in that parlor....so, when I'd come around...let the excitement begin. Long story short...I don't want any bad attitudes....any way for me to spot them a mile away vs. when they are stomping on my foot so they could reposition me just right to eat my hair at the same time?
Hugs,
Rejena
So, what is up with these Minis? How much milk can you expect?
www.violetacresfarm.com
"Kid Run Boer Goat Farm" |
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Barnyard Buddies: Info on a dairy cow please |
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Info on a dairy cow please
