A few concerns/questions
Feb 12, 2019 17:34:22 GMT -5
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lew92, rosalind, and 6 more like this
Post by trina b on Feb 12, 2019 17:34:22 GMT -5
So, Elsie is due in a month, the 14th of March. I have a couple questions, mulling over how to do things this time around.
First, she’s been dry since Thanksgiving - I know, too long, but it’s what had to happen, with Mom’s surgeries. So I’m concerned about her weight. Of course, being half beef she always looks fat, even when she’s not lol. And I’ve been trying to watch her, to make sure she’s not too fat. But I see her every day...
I took some pics a month ago, then some a few days ago. I think she’s lost a little weight, but is still plenty - um, round.
Last month
Recent
(Please overlook the nastiness, I haven’t had time to keep up with “poop mountain” and “pee swamp” lol)
Should I be concerned about metabolic issues with calving? She’s never had any hint of them in her previous 5 calvings, but she is 7 this month...
Another concern is my time to milk her. I’ve always done TAD milking for the first few weeks, but is that critical for her? I’ve only ever gotten 1-2 gallons total a day calf sharing, whether she’s only nursing her calf or hers & a foster. So she’s not a high producer (though even nursing 2 at a time they’re plenty chunky).
I ask, because I don’t know if I’ll have someone available to sit with Mom while I do a later milking. I have a niece who sits with her in the mornings, so that isn’t an issue, it’s just the 2nd milking I don’t know how to work. Of course, if I HAVE to, I’ll figure out a way to get it done, I’m just wondering if I’m stressing about this for good reason or not.
Another thought would be to get a foster. But she HATES nursing 2 calves. I have to keep them both separate and require 2 supervised feedings a day, which doesn’t really save time.
And Mom is not ok to just go out with me to watch or “help”, for many reasons. I’ll just say Alzheimer’s & let that suffice.
Do I really HAVE to milk her at all? I hate to even consider not milking her. I love her milk, the time I spend out there with her, and all of it (you all know what I mean 😊), but what if it comes down to either caring for Mom OR milking the cow? Being half beef, and not producing like the jersey side of her genetics, wouldn’t she adjust quickly to feeding only her calf?
Lannie, your sweet Bandit was similar to Elsie, what do you think?
Anyone else have any thoughts, suggestions, or solutions?
And just for the fun of it, here’s a pic of Mom & I a few weeks ago. 😊
First, she’s been dry since Thanksgiving - I know, too long, but it’s what had to happen, with Mom’s surgeries. So I’m concerned about her weight. Of course, being half beef she always looks fat, even when she’s not lol. And I’ve been trying to watch her, to make sure she’s not too fat. But I see her every day...
I took some pics a month ago, then some a few days ago. I think she’s lost a little weight, but is still plenty - um, round.
Last month
Recent
(Please overlook the nastiness, I haven’t had time to keep up with “poop mountain” and “pee swamp” lol)
Should I be concerned about metabolic issues with calving? She’s never had any hint of them in her previous 5 calvings, but she is 7 this month...
Another concern is my time to milk her. I’ve always done TAD milking for the first few weeks, but is that critical for her? I’ve only ever gotten 1-2 gallons total a day calf sharing, whether she’s only nursing her calf or hers & a foster. So she’s not a high producer (though even nursing 2 at a time they’re plenty chunky).
I ask, because I don’t know if I’ll have someone available to sit with Mom while I do a later milking. I have a niece who sits with her in the mornings, so that isn’t an issue, it’s just the 2nd milking I don’t know how to work. Of course, if I HAVE to, I’ll figure out a way to get it done, I’m just wondering if I’m stressing about this for good reason or not.
Another thought would be to get a foster. But she HATES nursing 2 calves. I have to keep them both separate and require 2 supervised feedings a day, which doesn’t really save time.
And Mom is not ok to just go out with me to watch or “help”, for many reasons. I’ll just say Alzheimer’s & let that suffice.
Do I really HAVE to milk her at all? I hate to even consider not milking her. I love her milk, the time I spend out there with her, and all of it (you all know what I mean 😊), but what if it comes down to either caring for Mom OR milking the cow? Being half beef, and not producing like the jersey side of her genetics, wouldn’t she adjust quickly to feeding only her calf?
Lannie, your sweet Bandit was similar to Elsie, what do you think?
Anyone else have any thoughts, suggestions, or solutions?
And just for the fun of it, here’s a pic of Mom & I a few weeks ago. 😊