Post by organicgirl on Oct 8, 2010 21:01:57 GMT -5
Hi everyone!
This is my first post here. I've been reading thru as many posts as possible and many of the questions I've had have now been answered! But there are a few things I've yet to sort out and haven't found in old posts. Thoughts or ideas would be greatly appreciated!
Here's a bit of background about me and the potential cow were are buying followed by some of my questions (but not all because I don't have all night to type them out!)
My husband and I own a certified organic farm in south eastern Ontario, Canada where we currently raise heritage hogs, herbs, hens, broilers, and veggies. We currently have a cowshare with a local farm so right now we have access to great milk, but my husband and I know that it's time for a family cow. It would mean milk for us, butter for us (we eat an embarrassing amount of butter in our home!) and milk products for our pigs.
There is certified organic farm near by that raises Jersey cows. When they have cows that aren't up to full production, they sell them as family cows to families like us. The cow they have in mind for us is a 'three titter' as the farmers around here say. She injured a teat and now that quarter doesn't milk. She's been bred twice and the farm will bred her for us again and keep her until we're ready to take her.
She may or may not be the cow for us, (we still need to go visit the farm and gather more info) but knowing that there was a cow for us did motivate us to get the barn finished and research a few more things. So here are some of my questions (I'll ask the farmer these questions too, but I like to gather info from lots of sources):
-Winter living for cows: Obviously feed consumption goes up with low temps, but can cows go out in cold weather? I hate the thought of an animal indoors all winter like many farms around here do.
-calf and cow: This cow would calf in July. I read a lot about bucket feeding. Can't the cow stay with her calf? It's not like we need tons of milk. I'm sure I've read accounts of calves staying with the cow.
-length of lactation: I've been told that you can milk a cow (in good condition) while she is pregnant, until about two months before she calves. Is this true?
-Young kids and cows: Our kids are pretty young right now, (three of them 6 and under) and getting regular chores done can be a chore. How do people manage milking and cream separating and cheese making, and stall clean out with all the regular chores AND young kids to tend to?
Thanks for any ideas!
Sam
This is my first post here. I've been reading thru as many posts as possible and many of the questions I've had have now been answered! But there are a few things I've yet to sort out and haven't found in old posts. Thoughts or ideas would be greatly appreciated!
Here's a bit of background about me and the potential cow were are buying followed by some of my questions (but not all because I don't have all night to type them out!)
My husband and I own a certified organic farm in south eastern Ontario, Canada where we currently raise heritage hogs, herbs, hens, broilers, and veggies. We currently have a cowshare with a local farm so right now we have access to great milk, but my husband and I know that it's time for a family cow. It would mean milk for us, butter for us (we eat an embarrassing amount of butter in our home!) and milk products for our pigs.
There is certified organic farm near by that raises Jersey cows. When they have cows that aren't up to full production, they sell them as family cows to families like us. The cow they have in mind for us is a 'three titter' as the farmers around here say. She injured a teat and now that quarter doesn't milk. She's been bred twice and the farm will bred her for us again and keep her until we're ready to take her.
She may or may not be the cow for us, (we still need to go visit the farm and gather more info) but knowing that there was a cow for us did motivate us to get the barn finished and research a few more things. So here are some of my questions (I'll ask the farmer these questions too, but I like to gather info from lots of sources):
-Winter living for cows: Obviously feed consumption goes up with low temps, but can cows go out in cold weather? I hate the thought of an animal indoors all winter like many farms around here do.
-calf and cow: This cow would calf in July. I read a lot about bucket feeding. Can't the cow stay with her calf? It's not like we need tons of milk. I'm sure I've read accounts of calves staying with the cow.
-length of lactation: I've been told that you can milk a cow (in good condition) while she is pregnant, until about two months before she calves. Is this true?
-Young kids and cows: Our kids are pretty young right now, (three of them 6 and under) and getting regular chores done can be a chore. How do people manage milking and cream separating and cheese making, and stall clean out with all the regular chores AND young kids to tend to?
Thanks for any ideas!
Sam