Post by daisy2019 on Jul 15, 2021 22:12:07 GMT -5
Hi all! I haven't been on here for ages! Life gets busy haha. Anyway, I'm back because I have questions (big surprise there, right?). My cow Daisy was bred Dec 23, so if my math is right, she should calve about Oct 1st. Which means I need to dry her up August 1st. Which is sneaking up on me. I've never dried off a cow that I had any intention of milking again, my last cow just had her calf on her and then she went to freezer camp. So I'm nervous about it all. She's currently producing about 2.5 gallons per day, on OAD milking.(I'm impressed with how long she's been at this exact production, it being her first lactation). She gets like 3# of grain, maybe a bit more, I can't remember what it weighs. I think she's in good condition, she gets hay and some grass depending on if I bring her out or not. Mostly just hay tho. Anyway, how do I go about drying her off? I've read so many different ways! I have like 2 weeks worth of sorta not great hay that I was thinking I would feed once I stop milking,then feed her regular hay. Is this right? I'm hoping I'll have some second cut for when she freshens.
So I'm thinking this:
-cut her grain down, milk every other day, then every 3 days, then once more to empty, and stop grain completely and feed the lower quality hay. Should I use tomorrow? I haven't had any mastitis issues, all I use is fightbac after milking.
Lol,I feel like such a newbie to this kind of stuff,like I've had cows for 3 years but
I don't know anything!
I'm also terrified of milk fever and ketosis, because I don't have a vet and I don't know how to do any of that stuff. I know nothing about the milk fever prevention stuff that I can't remember how to spell (xelit? I know that's not how it's spelled). Anyway, would it be worth the peace of mind? And where do you buy it? Cost?
I have too many questions to type out right now! Thanks all!
So I'm thinking this:
-cut her grain down, milk every other day, then every 3 days, then once more to empty, and stop grain completely and feed the lower quality hay. Should I use tomorrow? I haven't had any mastitis issues, all I use is fightbac after milking.
Lol,I feel like such a newbie to this kind of stuff,like I've had cows for 3 years but
I don't know anything!
I'm also terrified of milk fever and ketosis, because I don't have a vet and I don't know how to do any of that stuff. I know nothing about the milk fever prevention stuff that I can't remember how to spell (xelit? I know that's not how it's spelled). Anyway, would it be worth the peace of mind? And where do you buy it? Cost?
I have too many questions to type out right now! Thanks all!