The Family Cow
the heart of the farm
We raise Dexter, Jersey, and Belfair cattle. These are smaller, more manageable breeds that are perfect for small homesteads. Our cattle are mostly polled (naturally hornless). We train our cows to the milk stand, so you don't have to! We make sure your cow can be milked by both hand and machine. If you're interested in a turn-key family milk cow, get in touch! We take reservations early. Your family cow will come home once she has calved and been trained. She will come with her calf alongside. We can even transport her for you if you'd like.
What do I need to keep a family cow?
Not much! A standard size cow needs about an acre of pasture, a Dexter needs 1/2 an acre. With good pasture management that should mean you won't need to bring in hay except in winter. Our cows get organic alfalfa pellets on the milk stand. Some people like to incorporate a dairy grain ration. It is up to you if you want 100% grassfed or want to introduce a small amount of grain. In our experience Dexters and Belfairs have no issues without grain, they really are great at keeping body condition even while lactating. Jerseys are higher producers but do tend to get skinny unless they have very good forage and alfalfa. Some may need grain to keep condition.
Beyond that, you want to make sure they have a constant source of fresh water (lactating cows drink a lot)! You'll also want a milking pail and rags to wash udders. We do not dip teats in iodine before milking but some folks do.
If you are interested in machine milking, we recommend Melasty milk machines from Mitty Dairy Supply. It is tempting to buy a cheap $300 machine, but you will quickly run through multiple cheap machines and wish you had invested in the Melasty! And no, we don't have a relationship with them or get any kind of kickback for recommending them - just sharing our personal experience!
We recommend building a milking stanchion for your cow. Although some cows do have a gentle enough temperament to be milked in the field or just tied up to a fence post, cows are large animals and their size should be respected! Even the gentlest cow may get frightened and kick. The stanchion helps keep you safe while milking and your cow also feels safe and secure. We'd be happy to show you how to build a sturdy and inexpensive stanchion.
