I am purchasing a jersey dairy cow this week and am looking for some dairy supplies. I read about a deep setting creamer with a spout at the bottom and a narrow window above the spout to see how much cream has gathered above the skimmed milk. Does anyoneone know of a source for these? I have looked in Lehmans and the cumberland general store but nothing with a spout at the bottom. Also , any input for a first time dairy cow owner. I have had my share of dairy goats, but have never had 3 gallons of milk a day!! I am looking forward to making cheese but would like to know if there is an inexpensive way to make an assortment of cheeses without purchasing all these expensive starters. I'm hoping no one is going to talk me out of this. I just want milk for my family and cheese, butter etc. I have another question: does anyone know of a place to get relatively cheap barn plans? We are looking to build a 30x40 barn this fall or spring and would like some concrete plans that do not cost almost as much as the barn itself. If anyone has any info thanks in advance!!! cara lewis cnllewis@email.com

-- cara lewis (cnllewis@email.com), September 01, 2000

Answers

Have you thought of getting a feeder pig or 2 ? Extra can go to the chickens , cats, dogs , and neighbors .I have a jersey calf and can't wait for her to grow up ! Enjoy .

-- Patty Gamble (fodfarms@slic.com), September 01, 2000.

The absolutely cheapest place to get cheesemaking supplies is The Dairy Connection (http://dairyconnection.com). Established to serve the growing small cheesemaking industry, they sell every variety of DVI starter and rennet at a fraction of the cost that New England Cheesmaking, Lehman's and other retailers charge. Service is great too. I haven't purchased supplies any place else since I found them. Can't afford to...

-- Julia (charmer24@juno.com), September 02, 2000.

My neighbor uses one gallon glass beverage containers with spout on bottom to allow cream to rise in. Takes the milk out of bottom of container and leaves cream in jug. They easily fit in the refrigerator.

-- Terri Perry (tperry@stargate.net), September 02, 2000.

Teri,

I have one of those things and the spout started leaking. Lets milk all over the refrigerator. Are there any better brands? This one has a plastic spout and came from Wal Mart. I think it was for making suntea.

-- R. (thor610@yahoo.com), September 03, 2000.

About the leaking jar spouts for the suntea jars, I went to the local home brewery supply. They had spouts much like those on the jars but much higher quality, and easily disassembled and cleaned.

-- Laura Jensen (lrjensen@nwlink.com), September 03, 2000.

About the deep setting creamer, I have seen a couple in antique shops, and also on ebay, when I searched for "cream separator." Might be worth a try. Just be sure the one you get doesn't have any holes in it, as the ones I actually saw had quite a few.

-- Laura Jensen (lrjensen@nwlink.com), September 03, 2000.

my suntea jar also can be unscrewed and cleaned then put back together. just a thought is the rubber washer in yours still flexible so that it will work. gail

-- gail missouri ozarks (gef123@hotmail.com), September 04, 2000.

About the leaking spout - Are you saying I can replace this spout or does the brewery supply have something like a suntea jar with a better spout?

I didn't think the plastic spout on this jar came off. I am going to have to try it.

-- R. (thor610@yahoo.com), September 05, 2000.

Did you check Lehman's website, or did you look in the paper catalog? Because I get the paper catalog (computer is WAAAAY too slow for the website) and I think I found what you're looking for. They call it an Old-time cream separator and it looks like a smallish stainless steel barrel with a valve in the bottom and a little bitty glass window just above the valve. Holds 10 gallons. Sound right? I have bad news, though...it's $199. If you still want it, though, the item #is 30-119. Hope that helps some! Ali

-- Ali (philipandaleta@juno.com), September 07, 2000.