What do I need to know about owning a milk cow?
My family is going through 3 gallons of milk in a weekend! Not to mention cream which we use for coffee, ice cream and cooking. As well as probably a pound of butter a week. I make everything we eat from scratch so these fresh items run out faster than in the average American household.
We have a small ranch on 3 acres with a fenced pasture with good grass and a barn. My neighbors buy steers from a local dairy farm, so I’m sure I could talk to them about buying a heifer. I also know that I will have to breed her before she will give milk. After that I’m totally lost!
What kind of care do cows need besides daily feeding? What’s best to feed a milk cow? What kind of vet care do they need? Who much does it cost to breed? Do I need a vet in for delivery? I have been active in the birth of cats, dogs and goats but I’m not sure about this one. Does she need to be breed every year to continue to give good milk? How many years will she give milk? Any other info?
you would like to milk cows. well come on down to my farm and you will learn all you need to know.(lol)
first, depending on where you live a 2 day old heifer calf will cost you $600. with an average $1 per day after that to feed and house the eloquent animal for 2 yrs. before she has a calf. (witch you can sell or raise for beef)
its cheaper to buy $10.00 a gallon milk than own 1 milk goat, let alone a milk cow. (with time involved, equiptment, vet costs, housing, bedding, etc.)
dont get me wrong. i love the dairy and wouldnt trade it for a thing. it is very rewarding, but can be extremly exasperating.
the best option for you is to go to a local dairy farm, check ALL of your preconceptions at the barn door and ask the owner for a deal. check that the product is decent. with dairy farms, appearance isnt everything, but its 99%. if the farm looks like it makes good milk, it usally does. the opposite is often true.
maybe offer to work on weekends. (maybe the kids) the owner not only will give you a check, but also fringe benifits. (milk, beef, use of a tractor/bush hog, or plow your part time garden, etc.)
some times its cheaper to just pay the bill than run the resturant .
good luck!
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