A few weekends ago we quietly celebrated a year with our sweet Jersey cow, Creme Brûlée. Becoming a new cow owner is like having a baby in that it really does take several months to get your bearing! And caring for a cow after many years of caring for goats was very much like having my second child; in some ways everything was same-old, same-old, but in other ways, it was completely brand new! For months prior to Creme's arrival, I had been reading about cows, dreaming about cows, talking to cow owners, and preparing for her arrival. Creme Brûlée is one of the sweetest, most wonderful cows imaginable, thanks to excellent training from her previous owner. But when she arrived at our … [Read more...]
Can I Afford to Buy a Family Milk Cow?
Can I afford to buy a family milk cow? We considered this question long and hard before we welcomed Creme Brulee to our homestead three years ago. I like getting real about money on the homestead, so I think it's important to publicly talk about the financial side of this really big investment. And yes, a cow is a large investment - in money, in infrastructure, in time and effort. But it's also a hugely positive investment in your homestead, your pasture, your community, and your family's well-being. Brian and I looked seriously at our finances before purchasing a cow, as we would with any major purchase. We are able to get delicious raw cow's milk from a family farm, as well as … [Read more...]
Homestead Dairy Cow Basics
The addition of animals to our off-grid home is what made our beautiful piece of land feel like a real homestead. Even before we moved onto our land, we raised 10 chicks, and we had a chicken coop set up before we had a house to live in! We keep a variety of animals for the joy and companionship they bring to our lives, but more importantly for the food security they provide. We raise chickens and ducks for their eggs, lambs and pigs for their meat, and a homestead dairy cow for her milk. Many people wonder whether a goat or a cow is more ideally suited to a small homestead, and having raised both animals, I think that is a very complicated question that is as much about your personality … [Read more...]