how long milking

[hopalong]

ok rip me up!

wife would like to have a cow to milk (hand)
as i recall jersey, gernsy(SP) brown swiss were high butterfat which is what she wants, (any others)
also bout how long could the cow bw milked before she needed to be dried up?
i have the infrastucture including a stancion(SP) for ttclm benefit.

 

[Rookie]

ok rip me up!

wife would like to have a cow to milk (hand)
as i recall jersey, gernsy(SP) brown swiss were high butterfat which is what she wants, (any others)
also bout how long could the cow bw milked before she needed to be dried up?
i have the infrastucture including a stancion(SP) for ttclm benefit.

Why would anyone be wantin ta rip ya up, hopalong? Sure a milk cow takes a little commitment, but what a benefit it be! I wish me or the missus had time what we could keep a milk cow but we can't do it right now anyway.Sorry I cant answer ya question. Good luck.

george

 

[VanC]

ok rip me up!

wife would like to have a cow to milk (hand)
as i recall jersey, gernsy(SP) brown swiss were high butterfat which is what she wants, (any others)
also bout how long could the cow bw milked before she needed to be dried up?
i have the infrastucture including a stancion(SP) for ttclm benefit.

Jersey or Guernsey would be good choices for high butterfat. Brown Swiss are OK but are generally larger and would need more maintenance. Jerseys are the 2nd most popular dairy breed in US after Holsteins so should be easier to find in your area.

Like beef cattle, dairy cows should be bred to have a calf about every year to remain productive. The rule of thumb is to dry them up 40 to 60 days before calving. Waiting longer than that will reduce the amount of milk they give in their next lactation.

Keep in mind that my first hand experience with dairy cattle came quite a few years ago. There are a couple of dairy folks on here that might come along and give you better advice than I can offer. Hope I helped some.

 

[rkm]

Milk cow should be dried off 30 to 60 days before she is due to calve.

 

[hopalong]

vanc thanks! any and all advice is needed!
rookie it seems to me that a lot of us dummies get ripped for asking questions, makes me not want to ask sometimes
me for mis spelling
others "ya should have known better!" or what you doing is stupid
oh well there are a lot of good folks here but the board is being ruined by a few

 

[rkm]

Just thinking, a holstein-hereford cross makes a good family cow.

 

[stocky]

Jersey cows are real gentle and have very rich milk. They make great cows to hand milk for the family. 60-90 days is recommended for dairy cows, but alot of people I know dont every dry up their family cow. They just keep milking her until she calves again. They dont milk her as heavily as dairies do, so she doesnt have to have to time off and they want the milk year round.

 

[Workinonit Farm]

wife would like to have a cow to milk (hand)
as i recall jersey, gernsy(SP) brown swiss were high butterfat which is what she wants, (any others)
also bout how long could the cow bw milked before she needed to be dried up?

I won't "rip you up".

I have a Jersey, primarily for a nurse cow, as often I get a calf or two from work to put on her. However, another reason for having her is to have some "real" milk now and then, when I haven't got an "extra" on her.

When all she is nursing is her own calf, I can "steal" easily 2 gallons from her a day, usually more and there is still plenty for the calf.

I prefer the Jersey because of her size, not quite as large as a Swiss or Holstein, for her temperament, and the high butterfat, and also I can milk out about a gallon of colostrum (she makes plenty) to have on hand in the deep-freeze.

As the above posters posted, dry her off 30 to 60 days prior to calving. After calving, I wouldn't use the milk for house milk for at least 4 to 6 days, enough time for it to "clear-up" and go from colostrum to straight milk.

Good luck finding whichever dairy breed you choose. Be prepared to spend a little coin as they are not cheap. I got lucky with mine, a case of good timing.

Katherine

 

[Tod Dague]

I've been pondering the idea of AIing one of my cows to a Jersey bull and milking it out.
A friend of mine has a Guernsey that makes great cream for coffee.

 

[shutskytj]

The only thing is if you are thinking about milking by hand jerseys are alot lower to the ground so you will have to bend over more guersneys are good but I feel that they are a frail animal and more prone to catch diseases. They do have portable pumps you can purchase I know my family back in the days milked by hand their hands aren't pretty. How about a cross jersey/holstein or something

 

[Workinonit Farm]

The only thing is if you are thinking about milking by hand jerseys are alot lower to the ground so you will have to bend over more

With my Jersey, she gets tied, and I sit on a stool and do it the old fashioned way, works well here.

I have looked into portable milking machines, and what I have found have been rather pricey, even used ones. Either that or I've looked in the wrong places. Although a machine certainly would be quicker.

Katherine

 

[TheBullLady]

When we lived up north I had one of each over the years. I love the Jerseys, they do tend to be docile (except for the BULLS) and I've had two or three. I also had a Guernsey that was a great cow, and very gentle as well. We actually hauled her to Texas when we came, and she did well down here. Eventually she got mastitis bad and we had to put her down. She was 10 or 11. It would probably be easier to find a Jersey, as Guernseys are harder to find. Nothing better than fresh milk! Except maybe fresh eggs...

 

[Jovid]

This may sound stupid but we had a lady buy two of our Red Polls to milk and make cheese with. Tried to talk her out of it but she said she had done her research and that Red Poll milk had a high butter fat and that is what she wanted.

Several of our cows do produce enough milk that you could milk them.

Never argue with someone waving cash in your face.

 

[preston39]

vanc thanks! any and all advice is needed!
rookie it seems to me that a lot of us dummies get ripped for asking questions, makes me not want to ask sometimes
me for mis spelling
others "ya should have known better!" or what you doing is stupid
oh well there are a lot of good folks here but the board is being ruined by a few

=======

hopalong,

Ignore the arrogance of those that like to criticise.

We have had experience with both Guernsey and Jersey and currently have two short horn jerseys for nurse cows and some milk. If you want volume and butter fat...go with the Guernsey. If you want moderate volume and butterfat go with the short horn Jersey. They are easy keepers and have good attitudes...except maybe for a few days when baby arrives. The Guernsey is a larger animal and requires more keeping. Attitudes depend on the individual cow..but, generally good.
Guernsey info here;

http://www.usguernsey.com/

Unless you plan to milk for retail the Holstein is not indicated. Their butterfat is ...oh...1/2 of the above.

For some reason the Jersey site hase moved on me. If you need it let me know.

If you need milk only every couple days.... put a calf on her. Keep them seperated and when you let her in take what you wish and let the calf have the rest. Feed him on the side a little so on the day you take milk give him feed to make up for it. Otherwise, he will be balling until the next feed.

Used milkers....Choreboy,DeLavel,etc., are available. But, the clean up is work and disinfectant is necessary. They are not indicated as long a the hands enjoy the program.

 

[born2run]

Holsteins also tend to be tempermental. High volume, even unpushed (TMR) is common. I like Jerseys...calm and easy to handle.

 

[jcarkie]

i have a 1/2 holstein and 1/2 maine anjou cow. we milked her for about a week until we found another calf, she is raising 2 calves. she has the smallest calves and gives alot of milk. we milked once a day and got a gallon every day from 3 teats and the calf couldn't take the other. i am going to sell her i don't want to fool with all that.

 

[stocky]

JCarkie, Alot of cows have alot more milk than their calves will drink when they are very young. She will start giving less milk naturally as the calf doesnt drink it all. She will raise 2 calves, but she may suckle down too much in doing it. Just dont milk her and she will start giving the amount the calf will drink in a matter of time

 

[K-SHIRES]

ok rip me up!

wife would like to have a cow to milk (hand)
as i recall jersey, gernsy(SP) brown swiss were high butterfat which is what she wants, (any others)
also bout how long could the cow bw milked before she needed to be dried up?
i have the infrastucture including a stancion(SP) for ttclm benefit.

Hopalong - Jersey, Guernsey, Swiss, Milking Shorthorn, Ayrshire, Normande-Holstein cross, Milking Devon, ANY of these can make a good family cow.
Two things neede for good family cow: One is teats long enough for hand milking, two is calm dispostion. Both can be determined when layin' your eyes on'em at time of purchase.

Cow could be milked anywhere from 300 to 425 days B4 drying up, just dry her up 50-60 days B4 she calves, so it depends on when you have her bred. For one family cow, machine take longer to setup&clean than it's worth.
If you have an operating dairy farm in your area, you could check with them and see if they have a cow that lost one quarter but is otherwise healthy(Preferably bred back).
Most of these 3/4 cows make good plenty milk for family and can be bought reasonable.
If you choose a Jersey, try not to buy first-calf heifer. They get swelling of udder(EDEMA) real bad and most of'em like to kick first two months you milk'em. If you get a SWISS, don't even try to take calf off momma or bucket train or it will end up dead.
Biggest challenge with family cow is just finding one - so don't get hung up on any one breed. Best luck, with a little effort you'll find a good one. ---Dairy farmer in WI.

 

[preston39]

ok rip me up!

................. If you get a SWISS, don't even try to take calf off momma or bucket train or it will end up dead.........
===========
I have heard that before...never understood the details. Please share?

 

[Ryder]

Noone said that wanting to own a milk cow and hand milk it is stupid. I personally like the looks of the jersey better. However if i wanted one with high butter fat content I would go with the guernsey. Does anyone around the south recall that add for the golden guernsey milk back along time ago? I know mayfields milk is made with holsteins and alot of their icecream and buttermilk is made with jerseys.

Jersey milk is higher in fat than Guernsey.
Milk production is Holstein first, Guernsey second, and Jersey third (of these three breeds). Fat production on a percent basis is just the opposite, Jersey, Guernsey, and Holstein third.
Kleinpeter dairy in Baton Rouge marketed their milk as Guernsey Gold in the past They have an actual dairy farm as well as a milk plant with shippers, ie. they buy from other farmers. I don't know how large an area they supplied, but are well known in Louisiana.
They have moved their cattle to Montpelier, La. (land price I'm sure was the reason). Their plant is still in Baton Rouge. They added Holsteins to boost production, but I think they suffered too much of a drop in milk fat and milk solids. They have and are adding Jerseys to their herd to improve in fat and solids.