I’ll admit it… I’m totally prejudiced.
Try as I might to get all excited over green beans and squash, I’d much rather talk about milk cows and home dairying. That’s not to say that I don’t enjoy the gardening aspect of my homestead, but animal husbandry is just more of my thing I suppose… And did I mention that I have a pretty severe brown thumb? Yeah… that might have something to do with it.
I firmly believe the family milk cow is going to be the next status symbol. 😉 And heck, if you don’t have room for a cow, there’s no shame in a dairy goat (or sheep) instead.
Regardless of what species you choose, home dairying has got to be one of the most satisfying aspects of homesteading–even if you aren’t as prejudiced as I am.
However, since it’s been several generations since the family milk cow was commonplace, most folks have a bunch of questions on the topic. And that’s not surprising, since most of us (including myself) grew up with the white stuff from the store.
I’ve decided to collect all of my most-common reader questions related to milk cows and home dairying in one big ol’ post. Hopefully this will answer any questions you might have on the topic, and prepare you for a dairy animal of your own in the near future.
Common Family Milk Cow Questions
Should I get a cow or a goat?
This is a hotly debated topic, and honestly? I think it very much depends on the person and the homestead. My Cow vs. Goat post will help you to weigh out the pros and cons of each home dairy animal.
How much land do I need for a milk cow?
It depends on where you live and what type of pasture you have available. Generally, it’s recommended you have 2-5 acres per cow. And even though we have 60+ acres of pasture for our small herd of cattle and horses, we still end up feeding hay during the winter when the grass is dormant. If you plan on feeding hay year around, you can have a much smaller pen.
How much does a milk cow cost?
It depends on the cow and location, but dairy cows generally sell for $900-$3000 in our part of the country. The proven family cows cost more, while a first-calf heifer will cost less. Another alternative is to start with a bottle calf, but the turn around time is longer.
How much does it cost to feed a milk cow?
This is a tough question to answer… The cost of feeding a cow depends on:
a) How much pasture you have
b) What type of hay you are feeding
c) How much hay costs in your area
d) The type of cow you have
A general rule is 30-40 pounds of hay per day, per cow. (And again, that number can vary greatly). In our area (depending on the year) hay goes for around $150-$200 per ton (2000 pounds).
What should I feed my cow?
Since we personally are believers in the benefits of grass-fed milk and meat, we feed our cattle a grass-based diet. That means they graze during the summer/fall, and eat hay (usually a grass/alfalfa mix) during the winter.
Many dairy cow owners feed their cows grain to boost production. However, since we aren’t a commercial dairy, I’m not really interested in pushing our cow to maximum capacity. She produces more milk than we need on just a diet of quality hay.
What breed should I get?
It depends. Holsteins are the primary breed of cattle used by the commercial dairy industry. However, while they produce a very large quantity of milk, it has a lower butterfat content, and the milk may not be quite as nutritious as some of the other dairy breeds.
Our Oakley is a Brown Swiss, so I’m rather partial to them. The Brown Swiss is one of the oldest dairy breeds, and they are known for being kind and gentle. However, many homesteaders favor the smaller Jersey, which produces an impressive quantity of rich milk for its smaller size. Other good family milk cow options would be Guernseys or Dexters–a smaller breed that is making a comeback.
If you are interested in choosing your breed based on their milk componets and nutrition this article: Milk Components: Understanding Milk Fat and Protein Variation in Your Dairy Herd will be a big help.
Will I be chained to my homestead forever and ever if I get a milk cow?
You don’t have to be! We practice a share-milking program on our homestead and leave the calf with the cow for a portion of the day. This enables me to only have to milk once per day (during most of the year), and I can leave for the weekend when I need to.
Do you have to breed a cow to get milk?
Yes–in order for a cow to produce milk, it needs to have a baby first. Most cow owners breed their cow every single year so they have a fresh lactation cycle. However, you don’t *have* to do this. As long as you continue to milk, a cow can go for several years on one lactation cycle. But they must have a calf initially to get the lactation going.
Can I have just one cow or do I need a whole herd?
Cows are definitely herd animals and enjoy the companionship of other cattle. However, there have been various times on our homestead when we’ve only had one cow, and they still seemed happy to hang out with the goats or horses for companionship.
How much milk do you get?
A lot! Again, the exact amount depends on the cow and what she is eating. Once we wean the calf in the fall and are milking twice daily, I can usually expect to get 3-4 gallons per day. And if we really pushed her production with grain, we could get even more.
How exactly do I get the milk out of the cow?
With a little bit of practice! 😉 Check out my “How to Milk a Cow” video for all the tips and tricks.
How do I keep the milk clean?
I usually brush off any hay or “dirt” bits that are hanging on the cow’s udder or belly before I start. I also wipe off the udder to remove any dirt or manure. This goes a long way in keeping the milk clean. However, it’s inevitable that you’ll end up with some dirt specks or bits of hay in your bucket at some point–I’m personally OK with that, and I just strain it and call it good. However, on the rare occasion that the cow sticks her foot into the bucket, or a big ol’ clod of manure lands inside, the milk definitely goes to the chickens….
Do you have to pasteurize the milk?
Nope. You can if you wish, but many home dairyers (including myself) enjoy fresh, raw milk. Here’s why we prefer our milk unpasteurized, and also some tips for safely handling your raw milk.
Can I sell the milk?
It depends on where you live. In the majority of states in the USA, it is highly illegal to sell raw milk for human consumption (crazy, but true)… However, there are a few states where you can–so be sure to check the laws first. Another option is to set up a cowshare or goatshare program, in which participants “own” a portion of the dairy animal and receive milk as part of the benefits of their ownership. This way, no money is actually exchanged for the sale of the milk itself.
How much time does it take you to care for your milk cow?
We have a small herd of other cattle and horses, so Miss Oakley generally gets lumped in with them. We feed large bales, so those have to be fed usually on a weekly basis with the tractor (during the wintertime.) Daily maintenance really doesn’t take much time–just filling up the big water tank and scooping poop out of the barn several times per week.
Milking usually takes around 15-30 minutes, depending on how full her udder is and how many times I get interrupted by children or dogs…
Do I need to have a stanchion in order to milk?
Nope! We’ve never used a stanchion or head-catch (contraptions that hold the cow still so you can milk) with Oakley. If you have one, it can be handy, but not necessary. It took a little work in the beginning, but she now quietly stands tied while I milk. Sometimes I feed her hay during the process, but not always. She’s usually happy either way.
Will I have to help her calve?
Probably not, but it’s a good idea to be prepared anyway, just in case something goes wrong. Find a large animal vet you trust, and keep their number handy during calving season. This post will help you watch for all the signs of calving (tons of pics!).
At What Age Should You Retire Your Milk Cow?
Commercial milk cows are retired between the ages of 6-7 usually, but a family milk cow can be retired at 10- 12 years of age. It really depends on the breed, and how they handle calving each year. If you notice that your milk cow starts having trouble calving on her own as she ages it is time to consider retirement.
Where can I learn more about family milk cows?
There are many different resources, but one of my all-time favorites has been Keeping a Family Cow by Joann S. Grohman (affiliate link). I’ve read it cover to cover several times!
I definitely don’t claim to be a “milk cow expert,” but hopefully this post gave you a little glimpse into the adventure of owning a family cow. It’s a lot of work, but totally worth it!
And listen in here for the full scoop on how we breed and calve our cows:
More About Home Dairy:
- How to Train a Heifer to Become a Family Milk Cow
- Caring for a Cow and Her Calf After Delivery
- Cheap Milking Equipment for Home Dairy
- From Barn to Fridge: 6 Tips for Safely Handling Raw Milk
Hi Jill, Really enjoyed your post this morning and it led me to go looking at so many other posts of yours around milking. I’ve been thinking about getting some kind of dairy animal here but it’s just my husband and I when I don’t have kids out for classes.
So I’m thinking about a dairy goat. I have sheep and goat fencing everywhere. I already have sheep for wool so maybe I need to consider a milking sheep.
I’m really wanting the raw milk which is illegal in Wisconsin; though I manage to steal some on a semi-regular basis from friend who has a Jersey cow. Like a little fairy, I leave her a case of kombucha and I sneak off with my milk.
Julie I spent my summers as a kid in northern wisconsin, on beautiful Long Lake in
Washburn County. There were farms within walking distance and I learned at an early age about the taste of fresh milk and how these farmer kids had to make butter as part of their chores. There has never been any milk to surpass Wisconsin milk and cheese. I am so ready to have a milk cow – even though I was a city kid with country summers. I am now retired on a 100 acre Registered Angus farm and I long for a good milk cow, and the taste of that wonderful whole milk. I wonder if the animals have to be tested first or innoculated?
We had our cow tested for TB and brucellosis. It’s always nice to have extra peace of mind before drinking the milk raw.
Don’t forget about BLV. 😮
how do you get that test done for your milk?
Can you tell me how much milk you get daily from a cow that you milk for several years on one lactation cycle? Is it a steady amount per day for several years? Does it decline over time? I would want to avoid getting a bull if I can help it!
Hi. We raise Nigerian Dwarf goats. They are just the right size for a small family, and their milk is delicious. Goats prefer to be part of a herd, so a doe and a wether (castrated male) might be perfect for you.
Jo Marie
Isn’t it ironic that anything natural, without a ton of preservatives and pesticides, are “illegal”?? Things that make you go hhhmmmmm…. Love the post. I really wish we could have a small homestead.
Jill: Just found your website recently and really enjoy your posts.
We have Missy, a jersey/holstein cross, and have been milking now for four years. Missy has been dry the last 60 days and I am so ready to go back to home milk (due to calve any day now). We only wanted a moderately productive cow but Missy did not get that memo, she produces 5-7 gallons/day during peak lactation. I have learned how to make cheddar, mozzarella, sour cream, butter, ice cream, greek yogurt, queso blancho, farmers cheese and other miscellaneous things. We also feed bottle calves in batches of 4-5 depending. Last year we raised 13 bottle calves. Since she gives so much milk, we often milk two people at a time, one on each side. She does not seems to mind. Of course, she does not mind when friends bring city relatives to the farm either — pictures, strange people, strange people trying to milk, —— she is really laid back. Often, milking time is the only time of the day I have time to sit, so I find milking to be very relaxing. Enjoy your cow!
Yes– milking is a good time to relax, isn’t it? It sounds like you have a wonderful operation–and 13 bottle calves–wow!
This is the first I’ve heard that it’s actually ok to go for a few years on one milk cycle. Can you tell me more about that?
Hi Karen! Every cow’s milk cycle tends to be a little different, and milk cycles can also be impacted by weather, the cow’s diet, and other factors. But I personally successfully milked a dairy cow on the same milk cycle for over two years! In the dairy industry, milk cows are bred back as soon as possible to keep the milk supply up and keep the cows freshly in milk, but in a smaller homestead setting, where maybe production isn’t the main goal, there doesn’t always have to be a rush to breed a milk cow back as soon as possible. But again, this all depends on personal preference, along with the health of your cow, her diet, and so on.
Hi Jill,
I have a question my young 4 year old JERSEY is com8ng into heat now 8 months after her calf, and I think she may have 8njured her leg or something bullying with the other pregnant cow, I thought she had something in her foot as she was favoring her left rear while I was milking. I looked scraped with hoof knife nothing, in either hoof. Is it possible she pulled something mounting and mounting? Is there anything I can give her to get her thru this it’s 20 degrees here tonight in OK, and she doesn’t get a coat in the winter, as she was show bred… so I have to blanket her.
Thank you in advance
I’m moving my jersey cows to South Texas from Utah. Will my milk cows do ok there? I’m kind of worried about the change of climate.
Karen Barber, my name is Carolyn Robinson. I read your message about what you milk on your cow, Missy,, And what All you make with some of the milk that you get from your cow, Missy.. I would love to be a friend on Facebook so we could continue to talk about cows, and goats , if you have any. I am also interested in goats. If you don’t mind texting me on Facebook look me up at carolynrobinson1957@icloud.com . If you don’t, I will understand. Thank You And God Bless You And Yours. ????
Hi Jill, how do you train your calves to stay back while you are milking? I’ve been just jabbing at the calf underneath my cow with a plastic pitchfork when he tries to nurse from the other side, but I am wondering if there is a better way. I don’t have the set up yet to separate them during milking, and up until recently, I had him trained to nurse off of one specific teat on the other side while I milked the rest. (My cow lets down her milk so much easier that way). Problem now that my calf is bigger, he slobbers so much that his drool goes everywhere, including in my bucket, gross! Hard to strain calf drool out of milk, haha!!! Thanks a bunch for your blog!!!!
I lock mine up in a small pen while I milk. Oakley can still see him that way, and I don’t get slobbered on/run over! 🙂
When you have more milk than you need, do you ever freeze it?
Cathy, I would encourage you to check out familycow.proboards.com A forum of dairy cow owners. Friendly, helpful and a wealth of collective knowledge.
Nice article Jill. I always enjoy your perspective – maybe because it seems so similar to mine!
Yes– I love those forums!
I love dairy cows and reading anything and everything about them. I read that book to and it was great! We are looking…and as soon as we find the right cow I will be happily milking as well. and writing about the adventure…or miss-adventure at that. 🙂 Keep the cow posts coming. Really enjoy them.
We don’t have the room for a milk cow 🙁 but next weekend we are picking up our first milk goat! A young alpine I shall name Rosemary. 🙂 I am SO excited but terrified too! I haven’t milked anything since I was a little girl and visited my aunt who was cowsitting a little jersey. We have a couple of pack goats and thought it would be great to add a lady into the mix. SO EXCITED!!!
Hi, how much acreage do you need for a milking goat,and aso the best fencing for her?
Thanks, prem
Thanks for the FAQ. Very helpful. There was one question that wasn’t answered though that I am very curious about. Since your cow makes multiple gallons a day and it’s impossible to drink that much, what do you do with all that extra milk?!
We milk 6-8 Jersey cows a day so we have a bunch of extra milk. We use ours to feed our pastured pigs. Most home dairies also make lots of cheese during the summer months…
I make lots of cheese/yogurt, and then give the chickens/pigs whatever we can’t drink.
Wow that’s a lot of cows! 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing! I love how you mention that some of us are several generations removed from owning the family cow. It’s so true!
My only thought on owning a dairy cow (we have a Jersey) is that you have to be prepared for *anything.* We planned to share milk, too, but lost the calf at delivery and are doing 2x a day milking – which means we ARE chained to the farm. Keeping in mind that something like that may happen it should help inform your decision when you get a dairy animal. Also having a vet fund is a good idea, large animals rack up large bills when they get sick – ask me how I know. (Cow nearly died from pneumonia last month!) While this post is informative it seems to give the idea that it’s easier than it might truly be to have livestock. After reading this blog and others like it we went ahead and started our dairy operation without a stanchion or chute – which was great until we had a sick cow and could really have used a way to restrain her to medicate/examine her. Also our girl did very poorly alone – even with chickens and goats for company. She wasn’t content until we got her bovine friends. It all depends on the animal and their personality (and trust me, they have one!)
All that being said I do *love* having a cow – it is an incredibly rewarding part of keeping a farm and the milk is wonderful. I just went into it a little haphazard after reading many posts/blogs/books very much like this that made it seem easy. Which it IS when there aren’t complications. My advice to anyone who wants a cow is to start with a goat first and then read, read, read, read about cows. Line up a local vet and do research about the cows available in your area. Read some more. THEN buy a cow. But that’s just my 2 cents.
Just a suggestion – but you could get a calf for your jersey to foster. That way you aren’t do tied down. We have two jersey mommas and one is intended for milking, so we have one nursing calf and milk once/day. But we have had a crazy busy winter and decided it best to put two meat calves on her (so we didn’t have to milk her at all). We had to hold her halter in the begining to allow them to nurse a few times a day, but now I have two big healthy meat cows and no milking commitment.
I agree– keeping animals isn’t easy– and it’s wise to be prepared for anything. This post is just a snapshot of owning a cow–there is definitely more to it that people will need to research for themselves before taking the plunge.
Jill, thank you for just down to earth info. We have just moved back to our family farm and have talked about a milk cow. We still have a lot to consider before we jump in the deep end. I love your blog!
Our Jersey heifer, Margo is due in about 5 weeks. My husband and I are trying to get her used to our hands all over her, and we are studying all that we can before the “due” date! I grew up on a dairy, with all the paraphernalia, milkers, tank and suction pump with all those pipes to clean! I stood in a pit as the cows came into the barn I faced the udder right at my hands. I’m contemplating a 2 teat milking machine that you hand pump. The unit connects to gallon jars. Have you any experience with anything of the sort? We are determined to try the hand method first, but I’m afraid our old joints won’t keep up! Gardening and other chores are getting us in shape, so maybe it will all come together. I enjoy your site, and have gleaned a lot of info. from you and your readers. When we decided to leave Retail Hell that was our occupation to return to the farm, we didn’t realize that there were so many others doing the same thing at the same time.
I don’t have any experience with milking machines, just my own two hands. It hurts at first, but your muscles adjust quickly. 😉
The FB farming groups that I belong to, when asked, nearly all recommended the “simple pulse” milking machine. They offer attachments that allow the same machine to also milk sheep and mini goats.
I really enjoyed your blog. First time reader and now homesick for Wyoming. Lived there 15 years then off to Puyallup, Wa, which is about 20 miles south of Seattle. I’m very interested in your
essential oil book and unable to down load in my computer. Is there a source to purchase a copy?
I love and follow Jesus also and my walk has become more intense and dear to me in the past
10 years since moving west You are an inspiration. God Bless you. You are a beautiful young oman. Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, plans to
prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Thank you so much for your kind comment Sally! I’m honored to have you as a reader! Just send an email to info(at)theprairiehomestead(dot)com and we’ll make sure you get your ebook! 🙂
what age is that cow ?
Great post! I would love to see your routine with the milk once you get inside. Straining and storage. What do you keep the milk in for refrigeration. My husband and I are hoping to buy a dairy cow soon. Do you have any info on starting with a bottle calf to then raise as your family cow?
Here are a bunch of equipment/straining ideas! https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2010/11/goat-101-milking-equipment.html (it’s an old post, but still good) You can definitely start with a bottle calf, it just takes more of an investment in feed to get her to the point where she’s ready to milk.
My Dad took a stainless steel tall stock-pot and braised/welded a small turn-style tap on the bottom of it. Mom would strain the milk through a double cheese-cloth into it from the morning milking, and before the evening milk was to strain the cream had risen and you just drained off the milk (on the bottom of the pot) until the cream started to show then put it into a separate container for butter later etc. It worked wonderfully!
Spot on, Jill. I agree with all you have to say. We were filled with horror stories about kicking chains, tying up legs and stanchions, and in the end, we just filled a tire with yummies (vegetables, chaff, etc) and never had to use any of the above. We never managed to even halter train her, so could not tie her, but it is wise to halter train when they are young so that is an option. Thank you for bringing up the humble, small, gentle, low maintenance dairy sheep, too. If one is on a small amount of land, or only wants a small amount of milk, this is the way to go. =)
I’m hearing more and more folks talk about how much they love their dairy sheep!
Nice article! How does a person go about getting a bull for the cow, so she will have a calf at least every couple years or so and not dry up? Do you truck a bull in for a “visit”, or arrange for artificial insemination, and what does it cost to do these?
You can do either–the cost greatly depends on where you live, and if you have generous neighbors/AI techs available locally. 🙂
I have a question for anyone out there that’s bred a milk cow! ???? I purchased two nursery cows in January and they are nurse moms to three calves. One of my mommas is looking really big – in the belly! How can you tell if your cow is pregnant & how do you determine how far along if you weren’t the one to breed her? Thank you!
I’d take her to the vet and have them preg-check her. They’ll be able to tell you if she’s preggo and how far along she is.
Great article! Our Annabelle (Jersey) Has been milking straight since 2012 (in May.) She is not giving anywhere near the amount she did the first year, but more than enough to keep us in milk, butter and cheese (when I make it.)
We have also had a pig for the past 4 of the 5 years we have had AnnaBelle. Pigs LOVE fresh cow milk! Whatever we don’t need goes to the chickens as well as *PIG-PIG.* It’s a great circle – the cow feeds us, we feed the pig and the pig feeds us. 😉
Love your blog!
Amanda
Matthew 6:33
Amen! I think pigs and milk cows were meant to go together. 😉
Can you use a cotton t-shirt (one the kids grew out of) to filter the milk through? If so, is it ok to use any color , or does it have to be white?
You *can*, but I’ve found that fabric filters are harder to keep clean. I prefer a cheap reusable coffee filter. I just toss mine in the dishwasher.
Hello!
I just read your post and had a question. We have a milk cow that we just bred and she is due in about a month. We bought her after she had had her calf and the lady who owned her before us had let the calf nurse full time. The calf had kind of ‘raked’ her utter with his teeth, leaving raw scrapes and stuff that just took a long time to heal. It was hard to hand milk while trying not to break open the scabs, yet we managed. However, I have heard about milking one a day and would like to do this with the new calf, but I would not want to repeat the utter prob. Do you have any problems like this with your calf?
I love the blog! Sooo glad I found it! 🙂
~Emma
Do you vaccinate for anything?
What about worming?
Thanxs!
Was your milk cow a new heifer, or had she been milked before? We have a new mama, and are expecting her calf within the month. Now that is is getting close, I have heard all kinds of horror stories about milking new heifers. Have any words of wisdom? We have had her for almost 3 weeks now. We go out and talk with her, pet her, brush her down, and try to touch her udder some to let her get used to us and her milking future. She is pretty well tempered, but can get pushy about pressed alfala treats we give her sometimes. Any advice would be great!
She was a first-calf heifer when we bought her–it just took some patience to figure each other out. You can also feed some hay while you milk to keep them occupied. 🙂
We had a milk cow years ago while living on a small acreage. I hesitated for a time because I didn’t want to be tied to milking at 4 am and 4pm as the neighbouring dairy farmers were. Then I reasoned that 12 hours was 12 hours so I milked at 9:30 am and pm. As we had small children we were usually home from wherever by that time.
I enjoy your posts. This one, on milk cows, reminds me how much I enjoy not being tied down by cows.
Hi Jill, We just bought a very pregnant/will calve any day Jersey and I’m concerned that the only company she has at the moment is a cat, some ducks and Guinea chickens. We ‘ll be getting a horse in the very near future, but it could be a few weeks though. She sends out a “moo” to the cow/calf pairs she hears to the west of us, and she’ll be able to see them when we put her in the pasture that runs next to them. Will it be safe to do that or will she try to get through the fence to be with them? Or will just being close to them be enough?
Hi Jill, I’ve enjoyed finding your blog and getting familiar with it.
What are you thoughts on feeding our cows with GMO alfalfa crops {because it’s so hard to find non-gmo hay!}? I’ve heard that the GMOs don’t get in the milk because of the process it goes through in the cows stomachs, but that sounds like a fairytale to me!
What do you know about this?
Thanks!
~CowboyOle.guru
Good question– I haven’t really heard conclusive evidence either way so far… We try to avoid GMO alfalfa, but unfortunately, sometimes it’s hard. 🙁
We have two dairy cows, a milking shorthorn and a brown swiss. As long as they were eating hay and grain over the winter, their milk was sweet and good. Now that they are on lush pasture grass, their milk tastes cowy and has a bad aftertaste. Not good! We sell our raw milk! I can’t have that! Any suggestions? Are there particular pasture grasses that affect the taste of the milk in a positive way? Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks,
Becky
Hi, Sometimes if a cow has been milking for too long her milk will begin to have an bad taste to it. Also I know that a change in diet will definitely affect the taste accordingly, but it is odd for new grass etc to give the milk a bad taste. Hope this helps with some ideas.
If the milk has a blue tint to it she may have a slight infection, try giving her a bit of honey and baking soda on a piece of bread every day for a week and that so clear it up.
Hi Jill,
A girl after my own heart, I’m never so happy as when I’m tromping around in my rubber boots. =) We grew up having two milk cows and alternating them so when one was dry the other had freshened and was milking. Now that my husband and I have our own farm I have been trying to figure out how to have our own milk and still have full-time jobs etc (paramedic and long haul trucker) hard to milk twice a day consistently around erratic shift work. Anyway in my search I found a web site called “Once a day milk cows”. I looked it up and found some very interesting information that I had never heard of before. A1 and A2 milk variances. This explained the difference in these two milk types and how even our raw milk might not be as healthy as we thought (unless it is the proper A type). Check this website out, I think you will be interested.
Always learning – Esther =)
That sounds like a fascinating site Esther–I’m definitely gonna check it out!
There is a great book on the subject called “Devil In The Milk” by Keith Woodford. I had my cows tested for A1/A2 milk protein from UC Davis and it is easy to do. An important topic.
Thank-you, I actually got a small book (forget what it’s title was) about the A1/A2 milk issue, and saw Woodfords book also. It is a little technical but something that needs to be known. I figure that anyone interested in going to all the effort to have their own milk cow would want to have one producing the best possible milk type.
Oh Esther, I do hope you get your own cow! We have always milked ours once a day, and keep the calf on as well, so you could milk in to morning or evening, whatever is convenient. Getting tested for A2/A2 is easy as well. Good luck!
Thank-you, yes I was thinking that once a day, sharing with the calf would be a good option. I would like to possible raise and sell A2 heifers once I get established. I have always been a little partial to the Jersey’s. Mom and Dad had two for the “house” with our Herfords when I was little. We also had a Brown Swiss and a Holstein throughout the years, all great cows, just had a soft spot for our Bessie and Daisy and their wonderful creamy milk.
I have two milk cows. Ideally I would like to breed them alternately every second year so that I always have one dry and one with a calf so that I only need to take as much milk as I need, since I am only supplying myself and I don’t have the time to be milking every day. I know this isn’t cost effective but it is illegal to buy raw milk and this is the only way that I can have a supply for myself. Is it unhealthy for a Jersey cow to remain dry for a year?
No– they can be dry for a year with no problem. 🙂
hi I have a small herd of beef cows and calves I have one cow that is a pet cow we sit on her walk her etc… I have a calf on her right know and when he is weaned I plan on milking her have you ever milked a beef cow? and how to you pasteurize the milk? thanks love your website.
I haven’t milked a beef cow personally, but it is possible. You just won’t get as much– and there might not be as much cream. We drink our milk raw, so we don’t pastuerize. 🙂
I just got a milk cow and have a calf to nurse. The problem is she hates me. I got a jersey because I thought she’d be gentle. What am I doing wrong? I just got her. Does it take time for her to gentle down?
I have always wanted a milking cow! Unfortunately we live in the burbs and that doesn’t seem like it’s going to change anytime soon! It was a fun read and I hall continue to live vicariously through all homesteaders!
Hello Jill,
I have a question on milk testing. Because we are going to drink the raw milk…what is your best suggestion on the LAB to use that tests for bacteria and pathogens in the milk? NOT the
Mastsis profiling testing because that only shows up issues with the udder and how to treat it.
I live in South Florida but do not mind doing my milk test in a LAB that fulfills my needs elsewhere. My E mail address is: Singcanary@aol.com
I was told that a DHIA lab will do your milk testing…but found some do not do bacteria or pathogen testing. DHIA = Dairy Herd improvement Association. Do you have your milk tested? Thanks Linda
Your massive shaking essential oils advertisement has completely turned me off to the idea that you have anything intelligent to offer in every sense of the term.
I apologize for that– I am currently canceling my relationship with the company that services these particular banner ads, as I feel they are too intrusive. Reader experience on the blog is very important to me.
I think you have a lot of intelligent things to say 🙂
Hi Jill,
I know it’s relative, but 3-4 gallons a day seems like a lot of milk. How do you use it all? Does much of it go to waste? Do you know of particular dairy cow breeds that produce lesser quantities of milk?
Thanks!
Tim
I have a question and thought you might be able to help. I have a brown Swiss also and are very new to having a cow. We’ve had her for almost a year. She had her calf a few months back and since then she seems to have a hard time keeping her weight up. We are feeding her strictly alfalfa and she was on grass while she was at the end of her pregnancy. She acts like maybe she’s deficit in something wondering if you have any suggestions. Thanks
Hi there– definitely make sure she is on a good mineral. And it sounds like she might need some grain to supplement the alfalfa. Some cows can maintain on just hay, but some will need the grain as well.
Hi there,I got on your site searching for suggestions on feed for my Brown Swiss. I wanted to ask what you fed yours and if there were other supplements you gave. I’d like to not feed grain and feed just grass fed, hay and alfalfa, but from there not sure what else she needs. Do you mind sharing what a good mineral would be since you mentioned that? Or any other pieces of advice you have found along the way for your cows? Thanks!
We just get a basic cow mineral from a local dealer. We also feed kelp sometimes, and always loose free-choice salt, of course. Other than that, generally all we do is grass/alfalfa hay or pasture.
I have a question … So how long do milking cows live? I saw that dairy cows are only good for 4 to 5 years and then you have to bring them to slaughter is this true or is it only true for the dairy cow businesses? That just seems super sad:(
I would expect to get 9-10 years from an average dairy cow
Hi Jill, I have a jersey cow that just calved. We have no grass turning green yet here in northern alberta,Canada. We are feeding her alfalfa and are wondering if you would have an idea of how many pounds of hay (alfalfa) she would need per day. She seems to be the same size as yours looks in the pics.
thanks for your help, Amy
Hi, I have a single cow, and I want to AI her in June, but I don’t know how to tell if she is in heat. How would I tell if she was in heat, is there a test or any indicators to let me know? I would rather not give her hormones to make her go into heat if that is avoidable.
You might find this post helpful: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2015/08/breeding-cow-artificial-insemination.html
We had a great milk cow years ago and she calved and the neighbors called and said they had a calf that could suckle so we went and picked it up, we bottle fed it for a few days. Then we put it on the momma cow and she took right to it. That little calf became friends with a barn kitten and would groom that darn kitten, it’s fur would stand straight up. So cute…
Thanks for all your answers!
What do you do with the calf belly button after birth?
I liked that you had mentioned that you can receive a lot of milk from the cows when milking them. My wife has always wanted to own a cow but we haven’t been sure on how we would fully take care of them or what we would feed them. It’s great to know that we can benefit from the milk from the cow if we get one, I’ll have to look around for the right food before I purchase one.
Very interesting topic, regards for putting up.
Hi, Do you the acreage needed for a milking goat and the best kind of fencing needed?
Also,can a goat exist mostly on an acreage of grass? Land that used to be sugarcane.
Cheers
Hi there 🙂
I was just wondering, is there any schooling/college/university/etc. that is needed to keep one or two dairy cows?
Very Informative, Thank You!
Hi, I enjoy the wealth of information…thank you! I have a few questions, and maybe you have already answered them in a different article, but do you put your cow(s) in a stall where they can roam freely, lay freely, etc. or do you have them in a stanchion type system to make sure that they poop and pee where they are supposed to? And if you do have them in a stall, do they lay in their poop? We just bought our first dairy cow, and are really excited. We are going to pick her up in about a week and my husband and I have yet to decide what to do…whether we should put her in a free roaming stall and or a stanchion type system. We really want to put her in a stall that she can roam around freely, whereas everyone we have talked to thinks that is a bad idea (but they are from bigger dairies and a little more old school). My other question is, is there a list of all of the things that you would suggest having when you finally bring your cow home? Any ideas or thoughts would be much appreciated.
Thank you,
Erin
this is a wonderful article, we are getting our first cow and are very anxious! also raised in the city and moved to the country 🙂 thanks for all the great info!!!!
God Bless
Aneta
Milking cows and farming processes involves beneficial aspects. If it has been processed in standardized ways then the dairy farming will be an advantageous one in all the ways. Good post. Thank you for sharing.
Hi…a question I have. This is my second time around milking my cow and this time it seems like the calf isn’t keeping up with how much milk she is giving. I feel like for the comfort of the cow I need to relief milk her once a day. I haven’t been taking all the milk of course because I want enough left for the cow. We are planning on taking a little 2 day vacation but not sure if it will be fine to just let the calf be on her and not have anyone relief milk mama. Any pointers? The calf has only took to the front two quarters so I’ve been milking just the back two. I hate to see mama uncomfortable. The calf will be 1 week old the day before our vacation. Any help will be great!
Thank you
I like how you mentioned that it’s recommended to have at least 2-5 acres per cow. My wife and I are considering looking for large animal feed dealers because we’re thinking about getting some cows for milk since we try and get our food from its source. I think it’s a good idea to consider shopping from a reputable dealer that has the right nutritional products to help produce the best milk possible.
Total Newbie here, but curious about farming.
2-3 Gallons of Milk/Day seems like a lot of milk!
You mentioned the milk sharing program and some milk going to chickens.
What are all the uses of Milk on your farm or a farm?
I imagine a family of four wouldn’t consume more than 1-3 Gallons/month, that leaves you with quite a bit of leftovers.
My family drinks just about a gallon of milk per day, and the rest is used to make all sorts of other dairy products such as mozzarella (our everyday cheese), cottage cheese and ricotta, sour cream and butter, and so on. If there’s extra beyond that, or if some milk goes sour, it can then go to the chickens or pigs.
Hi there! I really appreciate all the info on this site and look forward to milking our cow when she is ready. We have a holstein who is several months old and she is our only cow. We have boer goats, but they are mostly separated. Also, we have a newly acquired miniature donkey as a companion for the cow. We kept Ophelia(our cow) on the back half of our property, in an area that is maybe an acre, but we have started letting her and the donkey out to graze on the rest of our property. She is really a sweet cow, and we like her, but everyonce in a while she can get a little excited. We give treats to the donkey and she gets them too since she is always with him and she won’t really let you get away with only giving him treats. Now that she is out, she is near when I am trying to scoop out feed for all the animals and she is starting to get a little pushy when I am trying to get the food out. Is there anything we can do to train her to calm down when it comes to food and treats? As she gets bigger, even as big as she is now, when she starts getting really excited (pacing, running towards us at full speed, trying to reach in to get food, or sometimes even jumping and kicking out her back legs) what can we do to try to calm her so she doesn’t present a danger? We would like her to get an understanding of who’s in charge, if that’s possible!
Wonderful info!! We just bought a pregnant jersey cow… So excited to have fresh milk for the first time for ourselves… Wondering if you could share where you found your bucket with the lid… We have found 2 1/2 gallon stainless steel buckets but cannot find lids for them..
Congrats on starting your home dairy journey! It’s really a fun ride. 🙂 Here are some places where Jill purchases her dairy equipment: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2015/09/cheap-milking-equipment.html
We have a jersey that has calved a couple days ago. This isn’t her first (her 3rd actually) as she was a dairy cow on another farm and was always a good milker. Now, her milk bag is very (very) full and looks uncomfortable, but she won’t stand for milking… she is restless while we clean her udders. We don’t have a catch, but we are thinking of making one. What do you suggest we try before building a head catch? Thanks, Sunset Ridge Farm TN
This post should answer most of your questions: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2014/08/heifer-family-milk-cow.html
Hi, I’m preparing to get a family cow. I have 7 acres fenced in and a barn. I want to let the cow graze (free-range) as much as possible. I was wondering: will the cow come back to the barn each night by it’s self?
Thank You for sharing the useful information.
Thanks a lot to sharing this article
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Thank you for writing this! Your articles are so helpful. I’m wondering what supplements are best to give the cow and when? I’ve heard of kelp, salt, and molasses, are there any others? Do you supplement when your cows are grazing or in the winter? How about the calves, are there any supplements that you recommend to give them and how soon do you give them to the calves? Thank you in advance!
The proven family cows cost more, while a first-calf heifer will cost less. Another alternative is to start with a bottle calf, but the turn around time is longer. Thank you!
Good point.
I have a 4 year old JERSEY that this is only her second freshening, and she has raised 7 calves and gave milk as needed. This year she calves in December, and she has 2 calves on her her Jersey bull calf and a Angus heifers calf same ages. She is currently giving me 2 gallons just from front quarters, a day milking once a day and calves get the rest.
I will breed her again next year hopefully for a spring calf, the winter calving was a struggle, keeping her dry and warm, in our fullest part of the year.
As far as keeping a bull you can have her Artifically inseminated via vet or licensed inseminated, and you won’t have to have a bull. My Molly won’t cover with AI, but has to have a bull, to get her pregnant spent to much money on AI procedures and nothing.
I have had issues with my Jersey scarfing down feed and getting choked now and then, if you’ve had this issue please tell me your resolve. I grain her due to she was almost starved when I rescued her, from a dairy, she had great breeding but they had pushed her aside due to only 6 gallons of milk a day.
My friend has a Guernsey that have birth 3 months ago . He says he has to leave the calf nursing for six months before weaning and starting to milk her himself.
I never heard of such a thing.
What is the proper way to wean a calf and when should it be done?
Hi,
My daughter has been really wanting a cow and has done loads of research on it but the thing that scares me is drinking raw milk as some of my family members have low immune system and you hear all these tragic stories of people drinking raw milk.But at the same time you hear about all these benefits.I was wondering is there a way to use the cream to make butter but at the same time it being pasturaied.
Hello, my 1 + year out from freshening 5 year old JERSEY, is still giving 2 gallons a day, But she looks really thin, and I have wormed here regularly, with the pour on and used safeguard, she gets around 7 pounds of alfalfa based feed a day, made by Total Equine, can’t get dairy mixes here, and we have beautiful pasture, and had all she could eat Bermuda hay for winter. What else can I do to get here some weight on? I am bottle feeding a Angus calf right now from her milk, but i could dry her off in another 3 months, and wean the calf. She was very healthy when she had her calf , and then has recently just started downward. She is not bred, as we tried covering her and she actually hurt her back, and was on Dexamethosone for about 7 days, and vitamin e supplement which I’m still giving her, to help the nerves heal. She gets around fine, but I’m worried, vets here just don’t get the dairy cows.
Let me check the law if I can eat! That’s where we are going, and not only in US. In Brazil, according to a large number of city hall regulations, you are forbiten to kill your herd in your property to feed yourself and your family. Let´s check with the State first, if I can feed myself! According to those illuminati who rule us, they think we the people are sanitary incapable, and the propensity in human nature to truck, to barter and exchange one thing to another (Smith, A.) must pass trough them now! Go off rids in small farmers and build strong communities are vital necessary. Thank you for the tips! Great blog.
Hello,
I was reading your blogs – they are super helpful thank you. You spoke about showing us in another blog how to handle raw milk and store it but I can’t find that info? Thank you
You can fin that here: http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2013/05/from-barn-to-fridge-6-tips-for-safely-handling-raw-milk.html