[Ag-eq] milking machine question

Thu Nov 12 17:21:48 UTC 2015

Zac, if you are reading this I would love some advice.  Anyone else with
suggestions please jump in.

I've been reading about small milking machines for the family cow or a few
goats.  I'm interested in getting one someday, especially when I will be
milking Bonnie and the goats at the same time.  I want to know which ones are
best and which ones I could use for both cows and goats.

I have some problems with my left hand so can not milk as well with it.  It
takes me a little longer, so think when I'm milking several animals a milking
machine might be good.  It looks like it is easier to keep the milk cleaner
with a machine to.

I would greatly appreciate any feedback.

Nella
Quoting Tracy Carcione via Ag-eq <ag-eq at nfbnet.org>:

> Mmmm Nella, hot chocolate with fresh milk.  Yummaroo.
> You could make yogurt, if you wanted.  I heard an Indian cook describing the
> process the other day.  She said you boil the milk a bit, take it off the
> heat, and stir in a starter, which is usually a bit of yogurt from the last
> batch.  Wait a bit, and there you are.
> A local place makes their own Greek yogurt, and it is great.
> You could make cottage cheese, too.  See, I'm just full of ideas for your
> milk and your time. :.)
> Tracy
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ag-eq [mailto:ag-eq-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Nella Foster via
> Ag-eq
> Sent: Wednesday, November 11, 2015 2:55 PM
> To: Agricultural and Equestrean Division List
> Cc: nfoster at extremezone.com
> Subject: Re: [Ag-eq] introducing Bonnie
>
> Tracy:
>
> Yes, she is very easy to handle, Jersey cows are usually pretty docile.  She
> has the traditional Jersey look, a lighter brown color with big dark brown
> eyes that have long lashes.  Her face is dished and she is smaller, but
> average for a Jersey.
>
> I have a goat bell on her, it looks like a cow bell, but smaller.
>
> If she has a bull I will definitely sell it.  If she has a heifer I might
> keep it.  This will be her 6th calf and she has only had 1 heifer.  I will
> just have to wait and see if I enjoy owning cows as much as I enjoy the
> goats.  I don't have enough pasture to have more than a couple.
>
> I just made some wonderfully rich hot chocolate with some of her milk.
> Maybe a cow isn't such a good idea, I might get as big as a house.
>
> Nella
> Quoting Tracy Carcione via Ag-eq <ag-eq at nfbnet.org>:
>
> > Hi Nella.
> > How exciting!  She sounds great.  And I imagine she's quite lovely, in
> > a cow way.  Is her bell an actual cow bell?  Will you keep the calf,
> > or sell it?
> > Tracy
> >
> >
> > > Hello to all:
> > >
> > > Well, I finally made my decision about dairy sheep and dairy cows
> > > and purchased a Jersey milk cow.  Her name is Bonnie and she is 7
> > > years old.  She is currently in milk and will calve in the beginning
> > > of May.  I got to see 2 of her off spring and they were big and
> > > healthy.  I just got her home yesterday, so she is settling in.
> > >
> > > She can be hand milked or by a machine.  She walks on a halter and
> > > lead and stands quietly while being milked.  I just tie her and she
> > > eats while I milk.
> > > Sometimes she walks away when I try to catch her, but she will
> > > always come for food.  I put a bell on her so I know where she is in
> > > the pasture.
> > >
> > > She was shown at the fair when young and has been a family milk cow
> since.
> > >  She
> > > is used to different people milking her, even children.  She likes
> > > to be scratched, especially around her horns.  She was never
> > > dehorned, so has long curving horns, which do not bother me.
> > > Another woman was interested in her, but was afraid of her horns.
> > >
> > >   I'm going to save the cream and make butter.  I will also make
> > > some cheese.  I already have people that want to buy any extra,
> > > which is good since she has more than I can use.  I will stop
> > > milking her in the beginning of March.  Her body needs a couple of
> > > months to get ready for the new calf.  She is bred to a North Devon
> > > bull, they are red.  During the summer I will have both goat and cow
> > > milk to sell; it will keep me busy.
> > >
> > > I really thought about the dairy sheep, but they are so hard to
> > > find; it would be hard to find new animals to bring into the heard.
> > > They just aren't common around here.  I also didn't want to deal
> > > with sheering.  Also compared to the goats the sheep produce a
> > > pretty small quantity of milk.  My other concern about the sheep
> > > were diseases.  There are some diseases that goats and sheep can
> > > share and I don't want my goats getting sick.  There are few
> > > diseases that goats and cattle can exchange.  It will be a lot
> > > easier to find bulls to breed Bonnie with, there are several very
> > > close.
> > >
> > > I will keep everyone posted on Bonnies progress.
> > >
> > > Nella
> > >
> > >
> > >
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