Monday, August 14, 2023

Big Changes Coming!

(photo courtesy of Yahuah's Farm)

For years I have said I didn't want a cow.  The thought of having to milk a big beast with a massive udder that gets covered with poop did NOT sound appealing to me.  And while I did research breeds of cattle which would be good homestead cows, I never considered the breed we are bringing onto the homestead. 

See, while we consume a lot of dairy, we don't consume enough to have a breed that provides gallons a day.  I don't want gallons of milk a day.  Having enough to get us through the day and put a little extra toward butter and cheese is sufficient.  

Are you ready?

We are bringing a herd of Zebu home!   

For more information about the Zebu, you can go here or here

Of course, the plan is to milk the cow, especially when I have no goat milk and won't for at least five months.  But realistically, I will need to allow her to get used to me and vice versa. 

In my research, I also found that they provide "deliciously creamy" milk in amounts of 1/2 gallon a day (or more).  Their milk is A2 which means it is more easily digested by the body.  

To answer the question, what about your goats?  We will still keep goats.  Next year will be a huge year in determining who stays and who goes.  For those who may be interested, these are the goats we have and who will be going and staying:

Does:
  • Amber - retiring
  • Mocha - undecided, maybe selling
  • Jersey - selling
  • Ivy - keeping if she has no difficulty in delivery
  • Juniper - keeping if udder is improved on second kidding
  • Maizie - keeping
  • Yelana - keeping, unless we find she can not be bred
  • Almond Joy -watching for size, selling if her size is too small next spring
  • Bit 'O Honey - same as Almond Joy
  • Serenade - keeping
  • Kahlua - keeping
  • Kit Kat - keeping
  • Snickers - monitoring for size
  • Starburst - monitoring for size
Bucks:
  • Oliver - keeping
  • Noir - keeping
  • Timber - selling
  • Prince - still deciding
  • Napoleon - selling

While we don't know when, we have already set the plan in motion to bring home a herd.  The photo above shows the bull, Aaron, and the cow, Lily.  Lily has a calf, which we will not name because her purpose is for meat.  Each year, Yah willing, we will have a new calf to raise for beef.  

I know it is a big step, but it is a relief considering the burden of finding grass fed beef at a good price. We have done it before and we know we can do it now. 

7 comments:

  1. Those are some big changes for sure!!

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    1. They are definitely big changes. I am excited, but nervous. We have raised beef before, but not a dairy cow. Even if I never milk this cow, at least we will have meat.

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  2. Well I hope your planning works out. DRR

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    1. Yes. We do too. I want to downsize the goat herd when I can figure out who provides a greater amount of milk and who doesn't. Plus, we do have a few goats who are getting quite old.

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  3. Testing…(Jessy)

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  4. It looks like I can comment on my iPhone but not if I am on my MacBook. (Jessy)

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