Help with Milking

[BrokenolMarine]

Tina's cow Molly had that bull calf about a month ago, and he has cut back the milking a bit, but she was still pulling about two or more gallons a day over what he was drinking. That's a good producing cow.

burger and molly 220213c.jpg (250.09 KiB) Viewed 982 times

Yesterday, we drove the 90 minutes down and picked up a little Black Angus heifer to add to the family. Tina wanted some help with milking.
The new girl's name is Sister, but we are already calling her "Sissy." She is cute as a button. (Yup, you know you are county if you call calves "Cute" and say things like "That's a right purty heifer."

Sissy 220213c.jpg (323.46 KiB) Viewed 982 times

Come on now... tell me she ain't cute.

Once she gets to be more than three days old and settles in, the two of them should take care of the milking, and Tina should be free of that chore.
If WE want milk, she can milk her off a gallon or so before the calves take her down in the morning or evening. That's what FRESH milk is all about.

[markiver54]

Yes..I'll say, she IS cute...really!

[dave77]

They are kind of cute when young. What are your plans for the calves? When my neighbor and I had our small herd of goats the plan was to sell them for meat but soon realized that a vet bill or two did away with any profits. Also I get pretty attached to my goats, they become pets pretty easily. Not so much with cows, they aren't nearly so cute when grown and are a lot messier than goats. Also the 2 cows my neighbor had were not friendly at all, all they were interested in doing was eating.

[BrokenolMarine]

The bull calf's name is burger, if that's a clue. He has an appointment on April 18th, 2023. You have to make them a year in advance here. Those guys stay busy. Sissy will stick around and keep Molly company. Both will get bred every two years. Molly is a dairy cow, and will provide milk. Tina makes butter and cheese from the fresh cream as well. The calves from the two can be sold... OR, appointments can be made. I like steak.

Molly is very good natured, comes when Tina calls, and though she can get an attitude like everyone, listens well when corrected. Sissy will be trained early, and well. If she becomes an issue... She'll be sold. Too old to deal with stupid.

Tina bought a pair of Dexters our first few months here, supposed to be friendly and well socialized. They were both nuts, aggressive, and close to a thousand pounds each. She worked with them for several months, but they never got to the point she could trust them enough to milk them. She traded them both for a milk cow.

[BrokenolMarine]

This is what crazy looks like..

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Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, both gals were armed.

[RanchRoper]

Take him in the house. You know you want to.

[Dahliathemeh]

Sissy is cute! Look like she got some attitude though. Look at that side eye.

[daytime dave]

I like the ones you have now. Those other two look like they just were there for the pasture.

I think burger is aptly named, I don't think it's rare to name young male calves after cuts of meat.