Post by greatday on Jul 9, 2008 14:58:13 GMT -5
Hi Everyone! Since I've already made a few posts, thought I should greet the board. Just want to say that I have been a long time lurker and have gleaned so much information and knowledge from the posters here. Hope you all realize that you help many, many people that don't ever register but probably read here every day as I have. Joann's book was a life saver for me, as I knew nothing about dairy cows or any other kind of cow for that matter.
We live in East Central Missouri having moved here from Minnesota in 1998. All though my SO grew up on a dairy farm, we obtained our first dairy cow in 2004. A poor rundown Jersey we call Lizzie. Got her at the sale barn, she was a dairy cull and being sold for slaughter. She had some health problems as I'm sure she was pushed for production and burnt out. We're guessing she was 4 or 5 years old when we bought her. She is a diamond in the rough, providing us with plenty of milk and cream. And has produced 4 heifers in the four years we've had her. These past 2 years she has been a nurse cow to her calf and her daughter's (Lucy) calf. We started milking Lucy last year who is Jersey-Angus cross. The first year milking her had some rough spots and not a lot of production. But Lucy is making up for it this year. We are swimming in milk and cream. Right now with green grass she is giving almost 5 gallons a day which has a little over a quart and a half of rich cream. So far we have kept all her calves, but will probably have to sell a couple this year.
Along with the milk cows, we raise a few Angus beef cows, a few chickens for eggs. Last year we bought some Muscovy ducks. Not sure that was a good idea as they like to hatch eggs. Have over 20 little ducklings running around now and they are starting nests AGAIN!
Sorry for the long post, just wanted to express my appreciation for all the wonderful people on this board and to let know you that the knowledge you all share has helped me many times. Thank you very, very much. Have a GREAT DAY!
greatday
We live in East Central Missouri having moved here from Minnesota in 1998. All though my SO grew up on a dairy farm, we obtained our first dairy cow in 2004. A poor rundown Jersey we call Lizzie. Got her at the sale barn, she was a dairy cull and being sold for slaughter. She had some health problems as I'm sure she was pushed for production and burnt out. We're guessing she was 4 or 5 years old when we bought her. She is a diamond in the rough, providing us with plenty of milk and cream. And has produced 4 heifers in the four years we've had her. These past 2 years she has been a nurse cow to her calf and her daughter's (Lucy) calf. We started milking Lucy last year who is Jersey-Angus cross. The first year milking her had some rough spots and not a lot of production. But Lucy is making up for it this year. We are swimming in milk and cream. Right now with green grass she is giving almost 5 gallons a day which has a little over a quart and a half of rich cream. So far we have kept all her calves, but will probably have to sell a couple this year.
Along with the milk cows, we raise a few Angus beef cows, a few chickens for eggs. Last year we bought some Muscovy ducks. Not sure that was a good idea as they like to hatch eggs. Have over 20 little ducklings running around now and they are starting nests AGAIN!
Sorry for the long post, just wanted to express my appreciation for all the wonderful people on this board and to let know you that the knowledge you all share has helped me many times. Thank you very, very much. Have a GREAT DAY!
greatday