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Hay question: 1000 lb cow for 2 gallons of milk
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<blockquote data-quote="farmerjan" data-source="post: 1432187" data-attributes="member: 25884"><p>No, 30lbs of alfalfa will not be enough to maintain the cows condition and produce milk. Part of her production capacity will be genetic. A cow will milk what she is "programmed"to milk in the beginning, and will lose weight if the feed is not enough to maintain body condition and make milk. They will literally milk the fat off their back. You should think twice that amount. to make some milk and keep her condition up, and just alfalfa will not provide for all her nutrient needs. I am not saying you have to feed grain, but just alfalfa hay is not enough.</p><p></p><p>If you are looking for milk, and have limited area and will have to keep an animal in confinement, I would definitely suggest that you find someone and do cow shares or just buy milk. It will be cheaper in the long run and you will not be tied down to a daily milking schedule.</p><p></p><p>A cow not only has to maintain her body, and make milk, but also must be able to build up her body reserves to be able to get bred back and carry a calf so that she will be able to go dry and then calve again so that she can start the cycle all over again . Get a couple of books like Heather Smith Thomas' on keeping a cow , one of the "Storey Publications"and do some real in depth studying before you commit to getting a cow.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="farmerjan, post: 1432187, member: 25884"] No, 30lbs of alfalfa will not be enough to maintain the cows condition and produce milk. Part of her production capacity will be genetic. A cow will milk what she is "programmed"to milk in the beginning, and will lose weight if the feed is not enough to maintain body condition and make milk. They will literally milk the fat off their back. You should think twice that amount. to make some milk and keep her condition up, and just alfalfa will not provide for all her nutrient needs. I am not saying you have to feed grain, but just alfalfa hay is not enough. If you are looking for milk, and have limited area and will have to keep an animal in confinement, I would definitely suggest that you find someone and do cow shares or just buy milk. It will be cheaper in the long run and you will not be tied down to a daily milking schedule. A cow not only has to maintain her body, and make milk, but also must be able to build up her body reserves to be able to get bred back and carry a calf so that she will be able to go dry and then calve again so that she can start the cycle all over again . Get a couple of books like Heather Smith Thomas' on keeping a cow , one of the "Storey Publications"and do some real in depth studying before you commit to getting a cow. [/QUOTE]
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Hay question: 1000 lb cow for 2 gallons of milk
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