A Family Cow
(Page 3 of 5)
1970-03-01
By the Mother Earth News editors
Also, you'll need a place to store two tons of hay. Hay can be stacked outside the barn and covered with canvas, but this should be considered only an emergency measure. Of course, if you're going to buy your hay, you can buy it by the bale and then you'll need very little space. Eventually, you'll want to make your own hay, and you'll need storage space of at least 10 x 10 x 10, or the equivalent, to store two tons of loose hay. Incidentally, the rule for finding the number of tons in a mow is: Multiply length x width x height (in feet) and divide by 400 to 500 depending on the length of time the hay has been in - there's also a slight variation depending on the type hay.
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Another thing you'll want is between one and two acres of good pasture. The pasture should be fenced into three small pastures to let you rotate the cow. Although many people stake out their cows, this is needless trouble compared to fencing a pasture so the cow can simply be turned loose into the pasture from the barn.
You'll need some equipment: milk pail, water pail, milking stool, square manure shovel, 6 prong manure fork with tines not over 1 3/4" apart - wider tines allow droppings to fall through - cow halter and rope, curry comb and brush, barn thermometer, udder wash cloths, milk scale, milk production record chart, insect spray gun, hay forks - one in loft, one in barn level - and a metal wheelbarrow. Total cost about - $30.
You should also run water to the barn. And you'll want to work out a manure pit or compost system for easy handling of manure.
Then there are certain items needed to handle the milk efficiently. Milk setting cans . . . milk strainer and filter discs . . an inexpensive butter churn and, if you can afford it, a small separator.
That'll be most everything - except for the cow.
What Breed To Select?
There is no best breed. Oftentimes a Jersey is the first choice for a family cow because its milk is richer and it is a smaller cow. A few people find a Jersey's milk too rich. (See table.)
One thing to determine before selecting a particular breed is how you're going to get your cow bred each year. Find out from your County Agent about the availability of artificial insemination. If this isn't possible, then you'll be better off by getting a cow of the same breed as the most convenient bull, if you intend to raise any heifers.
Buying a Cow
When you set out to buy a cow the most important thing to do is to be sure that you buy a healthy one. Have her tested for both tuberculosis and Bang's disease, and see that her udder is free of mastitis. Your veterinarian will check up on these.
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