The Proper Care and Responsibility of Owning a Dairy Cow
Posted Apr 10, 2020 01:24 PM
Did you know that cows can walk upstairs, but not back down because their knees can’t bend properly? No doubt, you do know that cows also produce the largest amount of milk used for human consumption in the world. Obviously, these creatures are blessings to our existence. At an average 1,200 pounds, cows are considered the foster mothers of our race. Taking care of one of these animals is by no means a small feat. Never the less, cows are easy to love and bond with, and having a healthy dairy cow is of upmost importance to maintaining a high-volume milking schedule. Before you can milk your cow, there are many things you must learn about the proper care and maintenance of this farm animal. Today, we are going to learn the ins and outs of nurturing these beautiful creatures, the dairy cow.Feeding a cow is the first step in maintaining a healthy animal. There are quite a few options and decisions you need to make when it comes to nourishing your livestock. Pasture feeding is commonly thought as producing the healthiest milk, and notably so. Milk from grass-fed cows has higher vitamin content, linoleic acids, and greater amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids. These two acids are the two essential fatty acids for humans. Milk from pasture fed cows is said to have a better nutrition profile for human health, resulting in increased weight loss and less cardiovascular and metabolic disease risk. With all these added nutrients it also leaves more raw materials for cheese makers to create exotic cheeses. Unfortunately, pasture-fed milk cows are uncommon in the large-scale milk production industry. A mere 10% of factories in the USA produce milk using grass fed cows. However, Georgia homes some of the leading grazing dairies in the nation.
Pasture feeding is the perhaps one of the easiest ways to feed your cow; still, do not become lazy in the dietary routines of your cow. Many farmers use a 100/0 grass to grain ratio when pasture feeding. This means all grass, no grain. This will be sufficient for your cow, but, ensure that you have at least 2.5 acres of pasture for each head of cow. More grass always means more milk; keep weeds and legumes to a minimal to provide the best possible grazing.
If pasture space is limited, or you feel you need to boost your cow’s diet, you can take total mixed rations in to consideration. Total mixed rations (or TMRs) are one of the most common methods of feeding indoor cows. It has grown popularity among dairy farmers due to the ability to have more precise control over your cattle’s diet, which leads to higher milk production. This method of feeding is the most widespread method in the United States, accounting for 90%+ of our milk production. However, TMRs come with disadvantages. Firstly, mixed rations can be quite expensive, especially for a large herd. You are also responsible for mixing and brewing the meals, which can be a notably time-consuming task. Regardless of time and finances, you are depriving your cattle of their natural feeding and grazing habits. Every animal is different and requires slightly different nutrition based on their body type. Most times, pasture feeding is adequate for cattle, but you can supplement their diet with grain and hay. During winter months, hay feeding may be the only available option. Thirty to forty pounds of hay per day is recommended.
The general care and well-being of your farm pet is of upmost importance. A healthy and happy cow produces the most amount of milk – highest in vitamin content. While during the summer, cows prefer to graze outdoors; they are warm blooded animals - meaning they will need proper housing during the cold winter season. When housing your cattle indoors, ensure that all bedding is fresh and the stalls are cleaned on a regular basis and use a pitchfork to remove all waste matter into a wheelbarrow for proper disposal. Removal of manure is enough maintenance throughout the week; however, once per week, deep clean the stall… switching out the old bedding for new bedding. The layout of your pasture area is also important. Healthy cows need to exercise to produce nutrient-rich milk. You are going to want to encourage an lively animal via the placement of (fresh) water, shade, and housing.
Not only are you responsible for your cow’s luxuries and living conditions, you are also responsible for any medical or health needs that may occur. The first step to avoiding any medical issues is making sure your cow is up to date on all vaccinations; vaccines are of high importance! It is also recommended to deworm cattle one to two times per year. This could be costly. However, cleaning parasites from your cow does increase milk production significantly. Checking for standard illness or injuries is something that should be practiced every day. Keep your senses aware, make sure your cow is not giving you any signs of discomfort or sickness. A common issue among cows is lump jaw. Lump jaw occurs when something sharp (such as a piece of hay or thorn) gets lodged into the cow’s gum or inside their mouth. Sometimes this will heal on its own, but it may be necessary to lance the abscesses, drain them, and apply disinfectant. Ensure you have a veterinarian that you feel comfortable with and pay close attention to your cow’s well-being.
Caring for a cow is a lot of work, after all, it is a new family member. Although, where does all this hard work pay off? The reason many people decide to farm cattle is for milk production. An average cow can produce around a gallon of milk per day. Dairy cows need to be milked daily. There is no if, ands, or buts about the situation… if you don’t milk your cow then you are trying your luck at some serious risks such as infection (which can lead to yellow pus or even blood in the milk).
It’s time to begin milking! Find yourself a bucket to sit on and approach your cow carefully from the side. Now, take a squat. Before doing anything, we are going to want to clear out any bacteria or residue milk left in the teats. Go ahead and grasp each teat between your thumb and forefinger and give it a few squeezes. Next, we are going to want to disinfect each teat before milking. We need to check for swelling or redness on the teats or udder. You are going to want to apply teat disinfectant to each teat. After applying, let sit for thirty seconds and wipe clean with a towel. Place a milk pan under your cow and grab the teats as instructed before. Apply pressure with your forefinger and thumb. Release this pressure as you begin to apply pressure with the rest of your hand whilst you slowly pull downwards. Repeat this process on each teat until no milk is left. Apply disinfectant to your cow's teats once more and you have successfully milked your cow!
The fridge now has a constant supply of fresh milk every day. All the hard work has paid off, but it doesn’t end here. Keeping a steady milk production also means keeping a healthy and nourished cow. Pasture fed cows are considered some of the healthiest, producing the highest-vitamin-content milk. It is highly recommended to pasture feed your cattle if it is a viable option. Many cows in today’s milk industry are abused. They are never given any time to exercise, enjoy the pasture, eat grass, or lay in the shade. Instead, they are pumped with nutrients, proteins, and total meal rations to strip them of as much milk as possible. Treat the foster mother’s of our race with care and love and you will reap the benefits.
