Re: Cattle Feed

Posted by Jerry S on March 04, 2002 at 11:49:48 from (63.71.59.98):

In Reply to: Cattle Feed posted by Mark on March 03, 2002 at 18:53:38:

A few things to keep in mind. I have tried to talk Dad out of the dairy business for years. Great way to work your butt off and loose money quickly. You will need to keep about double the number of livestock that won't milk as those that are. Calves, heifers, and dry cows are the non milkers.
It takes about as long to care for one milking cow as it does for several by the time you figure feeding, cleaning the equipment and all.
Milk cows need lots of protein. Alfalfa hay is good for lactating cows. It could be used instead of silage or haylage. Pasture is very helpful to reduce costs in the summer. If you have alfalfa to graze it works nicely.
Get in touch with your county agent and get to know the dairy specialist at your land grant college for your state. They have lots of good information for you most of which is free.
If you get in the loop, you can find a farmer selling out and get equipment cheaper.
If you just want to have some fun about it, get one very tame cow and a vacuum pump with a bucket milking machine and a pulsator. If after a year of that you still want more fun, then buy more. I would suggest asking the neighbor to teach you how to milk first hand.
Learn how to pull calves and keep cows from kicking once they get mastitis or cut open a teat.

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