Dairy farmers are always willing to share their knowledge about cows. The trick is catching up with them as they do their work (day in and day out, year after year and usually over 12 hours/day). We were honored that a few of the ones we have interviewed in the past took the time to share some of their expertise with us.
John Miller at Winterplace Farm in Leeds, Maine
Phone conversation: I have been raising Jerseys since 1971. I recommend them because they are smaller and easier to handle than other breeds.
Before you get a cow, please be prepared to house them in the winter months and to give them plenty of land for pasture and exercise. A Jersey needs 1 1/2 acres. They also consume a lot of water, and on a hot summer day, a Jersey may need up to 50 gallons!
You can choose a young cow, and, if you do, pick one that is docile and friendly. However, I would recommend an older one because it will be more patient with you. A Jersey at 5 or 6 years old will have only lived for half it’s life span.
Another consideration in the length of the teats if you will be hand milking. Choose one with longer teats and it will be easier to milk.
Rashel Harris at The Promiseland Farm in East Texas
Most important is getting a cow that’s never had mastitis, milk that has clumps or strings when put through a filter. Second most important is the udder. If you’re hand milking, you need long teats. Machine milking it doesn’t matter as much. Except if the teat is really fat, it won’t fit in the milking claw.
Most important of everything is a cow that does not and has not ever had mastitis. The bad mastitis is passed in to her calves and her whole calving line will be ruined. I’m telling you this from 8 years of experience. We had it happen to us.
Another tip: Go to once a day milking.
Reuben Leinbach at Cream of the Crop Farm in Russell, MA
If it’s just a family cow, the milk production isn’t going to be the first concern. One cow will produce more than what one family can use. The quality of the milk should be a higher priority. I can highly recommend Jerseys for this.
Gentleness is a key thing for a family cow. Can you walk up to her and pet her? Again, Jerseys are often gentle, curious cows.
Don’t go for a 10 year old if you hope to be able to get some milk out of her for a number of years. Bearing young will soon be difficult for her. And, to be able to keep milking, she will need to bear young.
Susan Adele O’Dwyer at Lone Wolf Cheese in Harrisville, NH
If I were to give any advice to someone who wants to get a cow, I would say, Read, Read, Read, find other farmers to talk to and know what you’re getting in for. A cow is an enormous responsibility and a lot of work. It is wonderful work and I love it but one has to be ready to tackle this huge effort. To date, the best book on the market is The Family Cow by Dirk Van Loon.
Be ready for lots of milk, work, worry and testing of your intelligence and stamina. But, the rewards are great!
Nancy Falster at Falster Farm in Winnsboro, Texas
If you are buying a “milker,” make the seller sit down and show you how she milks, what he does and how she reacts.
Plus, know a bit about the breed. We bought a Jersey cull – I was told she was a hand milker, the seller walked over to her and, with her back to the cow, leaned down and squeezed a teat and milk squirted a bit – the cow did nothing but eat her bite of hay she’d just been given… Great, I thought!
I get her home. Hubby sets her up to be milked by hand, she kicks a bit, we tie her leg, she stands, but backs up and put a foot in the bucket… next day she actually falls over- 4 feet in the air. We thought she died on the spot. Head lolling, tongue hanging, all of it. We could not get her to move. Hubby said, well, I guess I’ll go get the tractor and pull her out. When we got back to our “dead”cow, she was up in the paddock enjoying fresh grass, pleased as punch with herself.
I called another friend out of state and told her what was happening and she laughed so hard she dropped the phone and she asked, “Is she a Jersey?” When I said yes, she proceeded to tell me a bit about their capability for drama (not every cow of course).
Katie settled down and realized we were not buying her show and she ended up being an acceptable family milk cow.
We’ve learned a lot and still learn every day! The best part is learning to make cheese 🙂
