I've been anxiously awaiting the birth of our calves for about a month. I expected them in March, and the first one just arrived today. While I was beginning to doubt that my cows would ever have a baby, the wait time did give me time to think through my milking routine for this … [Read more...]
A Busy Mom’s Guide to Owning a Milk Cow
We brought home our first milk cow in 2012. When she freshened, I dutifully began milking her twice a day. After all--that's what you have to do, right? Then I learned about once a day milking. I took the plunge, and discovered I LOVED milking even more. Freeing up the … [Read more...]
Last Year My Cow Kicked Me. What Happened This Year?
Last milking season, I spent a lot of time in tears. My heifer, Annie, had it out for me. My cow kicked me every single time I tried to milk. Or she tried. I stood back and she only made contact once. It was depressing. I was spending at least an hour out in the … [Read more...]
Their Last Bottle
Dust, Shadow and Shade are growing up! All of them are three months old, and this morning was their final bottle! They've had an amazingly healthy start, completely on cow's milk--no replacer. They are also eating a lot of hay, and drinking water. And it's … [Read more...]
Once a Day Milking…2015
My plan way back in March was to immediately milk all but one cow once a day. You know what they say about plans... When I went to get Epi for the afternoon milking that first day, I notice Annie was dripping milk. I couldn't leave her like that, so I brought her into the barn … [Read more...]
Taming a Kicking Milk Cow
Look at this: To you, it might just be a cow in a stanchion. But to me? It's my kicking cow without restraints, waiting patiently to be milked. Annie has come a long way in the past several weeks. Here are a few things that were crucial to … [Read more...]
When Cows Poop…
Well I've finally gotten into a milking routine that doesn't leave me in tears. Annie, my heifer that I'm milking for the first time, can kick! And I mean she can kick. Maggie kicks, but it's always just been at her udder or at the bucket at a slow pace. A "hey I'm done … [Read more...]