The Family Cow - Should We Get One?

On this episode of Homesteady, Kendra and Aust pack up the family and record on location at Local Farm-, a dairy farm in Cornwall, Connecticut. The reason for the trip?

Kendra and Aust are interviewing cows and farmers to figure out for themselves: Is a family cow a good fit for our homestead?

Debra Tyler, the dairy farmer of Local Farm, compares a relationship with a cow to a marriage.

"Somebody I used to milk with said milking cows is worse than being married...and I say, there are good marriages out there, and a lot of advantages to good marriages. And there are a lot of advantages to the needs of a cow."

 As Aust concurs, it makes sense to "court" a cow, the way you would court a partner, as becoming the owner of a cow affects every aspect of daily life on the homestead.

Deb shares with us,"My main focus is getting people and cows together." With this mission, Deb has opened her farm to interested cow owners. Twice yearly, she runs workshops on what the lifestyle of a family cow is like. She also offers other opportunities to individuals and groups on her farm, such as milking and tours, by appointment. 

Not ready for a family cow? Even buying milk from a local farm can facilitate a lifestyle change. Deb has noticed amongst her customers, picking up weekly gallons of raw milk leads to the creation of family rituals; separating the cream, making butter, and spending time on the farm each week.

She says she finds families spending more time together, and more time at home, when they embrace any part of the "cow lifestyle."

Aust and Kendra are particularly interested in a Miniature Jersey Cow. This is the type of cow Deb breeds on her farm. These cows are more expensive to purchase, as they are a specialty breed, but they hold several advantages over a full-sized cow. As they are five to ten inches shorter than the standard Jersey cow, they take up less space, and require less feed.

They produce, on average, one to one and half gallons of milk per day, which is a useable amount for a family of four or more people. It is possible to feed them exclusively on grass and hay, which saves on the cost of purchasing grain for a larger cow.

While owning a cow is a big time and financial commitment, Debra, Kendra, and Aust are quick to note the priceless intangibles of cow ownership.

Taking care of an animal such as a cow necessitates a family to develop a rhythm, as cows need to be milked regularly both to maintain their milk production and for their own comfort. In families with children, cows provide "meaningful" chores, as it is immediately evident to children the effect care taking has a on a cow.

Will Aust and Kendra commit to a family cow? It appears they are still in the courting stage ;)

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