[Ag-eq] dairy cows

[Zach Mason]

I have 25 years of experience with dairy cows. For a family pet-or just
enough milk for you, I'm hesitant to recommend a commercially bred Jersey or
Guernsey as both of these breeds are capable of producing 40-50 LB/day, or
about 5 to 6 gallons of milk. You might be able to find a "dud" that only
makes 10-20 Lb/day, but I'm hesitant to recommend that too as there can be a
health reason they aren't making more. 

I'd recommend goats or sheep before a cow if it's for family consumption.
Some goats can produce 20 Lb/day, but only for a short period of time.
LaMancha and Nubians typically produce less than this. Another option is
Nigerian Dwarves. For sheep breeds, dairy breeds can be difficult to come by
depending on where you are. The two major ones in the U.S. are the East
Friesian and Lacaune, but Dorset's have also been used in commercial flocks
for milk production. 

Hope this helps,

Zac

-----Original Message-----
From: Ag-eq [mailto:ag-eq-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of James K via Ag-eq
Sent: Monday, August 03, 2015 1:05 PM
To: Agricultural and Equestrean Division List
Cc: James K
Subject: Re: [Ag-eq] dairy cows

I do not have a lot of experience with dairy cows. However, make sure that
they are ones bread milk by hand. Money today or bread milk by machine. You
might also consider buying a goat or two.

Sent from my iPhone

> On Aug 3, 2015, at 10:48 AM, Nella Foster via Ag-eq <ag-eq at nfbnet.org>
wrote:
> 
> 
> 
> I think I sent this message last week, but for some reason there was no
text.
> 
> I'm curious to know if anyone has ever owned dairy cows.
> 
> I'm considering getting one and would love any advice or suggestions.
> 
> I'm mostly looking at Jersey and Guernsey cows, they are a little 
> smaller and tend to give a little less milk than some of the other 
> breeds.  I've also researched Dexter and Dexter crosses, but all the 
> ones I've found are very expensive.
> 
> If anyone has cow knowledge I hope you will share.
> 
> Nella
> 
> 
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