Best type of breed, or animal to use as a milk cow?

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nate53

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Mar 26, 2011
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North East, Missouri
I've been throwing around the idea of buying a heifer or goat to use as a animal to supply drinking milk for my family ( we had a milk cow when I was a kid, but all I remember is she was reddish brown).  Any suggestions as far as what breed of bovine or goat would be best.  I know zero about goats (never had one, so am leaning toward bovine).

Thanks for any suggestions
 

Limiman12

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SW. Iowa
A small jersey will provide more then enough and not eat you out of house and home.  I helped a family show milking shorthorns a couple years.  A little larger and. Good cows plus would not necessarily be an eye sore in your pasture if you had some other cows with color..
 

blinggirl

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Illinois
im sure someone will disagree with what i say but we had goats and i felt taking care of them was just like taking care of a cow ..and i like jersey .small breed but would produce enough milk for a family
 

CAB

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If you have never drank goats milk make sure that you & your family try it before buying a nanny. I just can't do the goat's milk personally.
I would also lean towards the Jersey breed not only for the milk, but x-bred Jersey fats make excellent freezer beef.
 

Diamond

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If you can find them the Randall linebacks are really neat, smart cattle, and they would look better out their then your typical brown cow. As far as goats, an oberhasli
 

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cowman 52

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I bred 3 jersey s for a neighbor,  she feeds 4 kids, sells butter and cheese and makes homemade ice cream to sell.  Works her self silly but makes a good extra dollar or 2.  I like the jerseys,  less body mass to feed and they have a good disposition.  And they seem to live forever.
 

breyfarm

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I was always told if your to keep a cow to support the family its a jersey
 

RidinHeifer

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I'd say stick with a cow.  Look into mini jerseys...they'll he a tad more expensive to buy, but it will be less to feed and easier for your kids to mess with.  Granted the milk production will be reduced but I'd talk with a breeder on how many ppl one can milk for.  I hate goat milk as well, however I have done a couple shots of sheep milk and it wasn't bad but I prefer it straight from the cow.
 

nate53

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North East, Missouri
Thank's  for the replies, I had not thought about the milk tasting different between cows and goats (makes sense).  I will look into the Jersey's more.  Thanks
 

PDJ

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blinggirl said:
im sure someone will disagree with what i say but we had goats and i felt taking care of them was just like taking care of a cow ..and i like jersey .small breed but would produce enough milk for a family
My great uncle always said Jerseys were for people too poor for cows, and too proud for goats. ;D  I would definately look to a Jersey tho,
 

RidinHeifer

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Easy butter-get the cream separated from milk and put cream in a tight sealing canister(mason jar with lid is great).  Wrap in a towel just in case it leaks and shake, shake, shake. And shake some more.  Pass it around the family shaking until it gets lumped up and butter consistency.  Heresy usually still some fluid that you have to drain.  It takes a while, but its pretty easy to do.  We then form little logs with the butter and wrap in wax paper, but you could throw it in a tupperware just as easy.  Obviously refrigerate. 

Our UPS guy's mom has 2 cows(don't know what kind) that they milk and she does all that stuff, and uses the whole milk and cream for cakes...they are the best cakes ever!  You say you have a Gilbert cake and anyone in the county knows what you're talking about.  They are about 1/3 the price of a store cake and about 10 times better!  Had one for grad party and people wondered why we cut pieces so small till they tried it and found how rich it is.  A 2"x2" piece is about all you can do they are so good. 
 

ploughshare

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May 30, 2008
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Jersey, Guernsey or Brown Swiss would be my choices.  All produce high butter fat milk.  I love the Swiss for their teddy bear temperament and the Jersey-X beef, as others have mentioned, is great in the freezer too.
 
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