Milking Cow

Cow shopping,

Visited a friends farm, looking at milking cows.   This one is a mixed breed, about 6 years old, pregnant with calf.   She’s feasting for two!

My grandfather was an incredible farmer, he not only had a sustainable farm but also took cattle raising to heart.  He had cows for both milking and meat content.

So, whether it runs deep in my veins or it just the notion that one can’t have a farm without a cow grazing on the pasture – looking forward to having our own milking cow.  Before we bring a cow onto the farm we need to secure the perimeter and clear the field of weeds.

Our new farmer friend Jose from Deland, Florida was so accommodating with information.  He took us on his 80 acre farm, showed us the different hold corals for the cows.  Showed us the bails of hay he had stored in the barn – he said they weighed about 300 lbs each.  Mostly for feeding during the cold season when the grass tends to slow its growth.

He shared tops on how cows eat with their bottom teeth and the importance of clearing the field of weeds…as the weeds will get in their tongue and cause infection.  He said cows tend to eat most about anything.

I was full of questions, because it will be my first time caring for a cow.. needless to say a pregnant cow.  So I asked …where do they have the baby calf.. would I need to prepare a special area for her?   Jose said that they’ll just pick a corner of the field and pretty much nature takes care of nature; What I found interesting was when he mentioned the placenta, so I said… what should I do with it?   He said, not to worry the cow eats it.

>> Cow eating Placenta CLICK HERE

Tip:  If the cow has horns you can count the rings on the horn — times 2 and you will get an approximate age of the cow.