Looking for milking cow?

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I have been looking for a milker for quite sometime. For some reason they are quite scarce around here. I don't need it to be registered. A friend of ours mentioned he used to have a milking cow about 6 years ago. He put her out to pasture when his kids moved away. She is still alive and giving him calves.My question is he said one of her calfs is a 6 year old milking short horn. He would be willing to sell us for not much. She is very gentle but has never been milked. She has had many calves. Is it hard to get a cow used to milking. Am I way over my head? Am I crazy to be thinking this way? I have goats that I milk and have milked cows but not alot. Please give me your input.

-- Toni in Utah (tmevans66@hotmail.com), October 31, 2001

Answers

Response to Lokking for milking cow?

Toni, if she is easy to handle it might not be too bad. I don't think age has too much to do with it, as I've freshened heifers at 22 months as well a few that missed getting bred for the first time and then finally freshened at well past three years.

Is there any chance you can get this cow on trial, since the owner is a friend? Then if she doesn't work out you could send her back home.

-- Jennifer L. (Northern NYS) (jlance@nospammail.com), October 31, 2001.


Response to Lokking for milking cow?

I'm looking for a Dexter to be our family cow here. The price I was quoted for a heifer calf sure raised my eyebrows ($750) but according to more knowledgeable sources was not an unreasonable price these days. I am going to take a look at a herd tomorrow and if I like 'em (yeah like I won't!!)I will get my name in for a heifer calf for next year. Its a bit exciting getting into a new adventure isn't it Toni?

-- Alison in N.S. (aproteau@istar.ca), November 01, 2001.

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