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maryjane
7074 Posts
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Posted - Oct 22 2014 : 12:25:19 PM
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My little Lacy Lou, daughter of Samson (mid-size) and Etta Jane (miniature), born 8/15/2014, is stealing hearts right and left. When Karina took these photos, she'd just received a spit bath from her mother.
I have Samson and Etta Jane together again hoping for another little Lacy Lou. They make a great team! Lacy Lou is perfect in every way.
Even her, uh, teats seem perfect.
Hearth throb!!!!! I love her liquid dark chocolate eyes.
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MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~ |
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NellieBelle
11217 Posts
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Posted - Oct 22 2014 : 1:27:31 PM
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What a beautiful girl! She has a Bambi face. What size do you think she will end up MaryJane? Yes, I can see where she can steal hearts. Just a beauty. |
To laugh is human but to moo is bovine. Author Unknown |
Edited by - NellieBelle on Oct 22 2014 1:28:05 PM |
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Ron
4666 Posts
Ronnie
Peever
SD
USA
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Posted - Oct 22 2014 : 6:03:14 PM
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Now that is a gorgeous calf ! A great example of proper breeding and lots of love! Is She going to be a keeper? |
With a moo moo here and a moo moo there, here a moo, there a moo, everywhere a moo moo. |
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farmlife
1413 Posts
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Posted - Oct 22 2014 : 7:07:49 PM
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You make us all wish for beautiful cows, MaryJane. It doesn't get much cuter than Lacy Lou!
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maryjane
7074 Posts
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Posted - Oct 23 2014 : 1:52:54 PM
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Keeley, I spoke with these folks about the possibility of a Jersey cow for sale. They have sold some recently because that's where Mike (here on the chatroom) purchased his. http://grasswayorganics.com/
Unfortunately, I won't have any for a while because I haven't been able to part with any yet:) I keep seeing breeding potential (different wonderful traits in all of them) so I keep trying my prowess with cupid's arrow. But at some point ...
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MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~ |
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Ron
4666 Posts
Ronnie
Peever
SD
USA
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Posted - Oct 23 2014 : 1:57:36 PM
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You cow hoarder you ! :) |
With a moo moo here and a moo moo there, here a moo, there a moo, everywhere a moo moo. |
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farmlife
1413 Posts
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Posted - Oct 23 2014 : 2:12:30 PM
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If I had cows like MaryJane's I'd be a cow hoarder, too!
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Ron
4666 Posts
Ronnie
Peever
SD
USA
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Posted - Oct 23 2014 : 2:34:50 PM
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Hmmmmmm could be? :) |
With a moo moo here and a moo moo there, here a moo, there a moo, everywhere a moo moo. |
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CloversMum
3486 Posts
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Posted - Oct 23 2014 : 8:27:00 PM
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Absolutely love Lacy Lou's eyes...perfect eyeliner too! |
Loving life and family on our Idaho farm, Meadowlark Heritage Farm; A few Jersey cows; a few alpacas; a few more goats, and even more ducks and chickens |
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chives
313 Posts
Victoria
Shelton
WA
usa
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Posted - Oct 23 2014 : 8:34:55 PM
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She is just beautiful. Vicki |
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farmlife
1413 Posts
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Posted - Oct 25 2014 : 4:08:22 PM
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I love Wisconsin, MaryJane. In fact it is my favorite state that I've visited in the US with the exception of Montana, of course. However, I don't see us driving to Wisconsin this time of year. It looks like a great operation, though. Ron also gave me the information on Knapps Guernseys in Iowa. I think for now we'll stay focused on cows that are within 8 hours of us. If that doesn't pan out we can always look farther away in the spring.
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Ron
4666 Posts
Ronnie
Peever
SD
USA
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farmlife
1413 Posts
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Ron
4666 Posts
Ronnie
Peever
SD
USA
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Posted - Oct 26 2014 : 04:52:00 AM
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Bummer, Mary Jane did mention I think to me a while back here that most of the smaller Jerseys would require a milk machine. I know most here do use the smaller setups with good success. Might be food for thought.
I do know it is a chore to hand milk especially over two gallons. And especially two times a day. You might ask Janet and MJ I know they both use a Milker. |
With a moo moo here and a moo moo there, here a moo, there a moo, everywhere a moo moo. |
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farmlife
1413 Posts
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Posted - Oct 26 2014 : 06:39:39 AM
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It is also a chore to do all the dishes associated with the milk machine. Have I mentioned I hate dishes? At this point we aren't set up to have a machine. I question my ability to keep it as clean as it should be and I don't have a second dishwasher. The one I do have runs twice a day as it is. Maybe I'm just not set up for a milk cow and should wait.
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maryjane
7074 Posts
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Posted - Oct 26 2014 : 06:54:42 AM
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What you'll discover about milking, whether by hand or machine, is that the time alone with your cow (cows) brings you great solace, especially needed when you're a busy mom. We all know we SHOULD meditate, do yoga, etc. every day. A cow makes you do just that, no matter the weather or the busyness in your life. And the rewards? Milk, cream, butter, good health, cheese, yogurt, mozzarella ...
But yeah, if you hate dishes, you don't need more. I hand milked for many years and loved it. But I always like getting dishes done. It's like putting loaves of bread to rise on the counter. Done! But don't ask me to vacuum. I loathe vacuuming. That's why there isn't a single carpet in my home. Sweeping I love, noisy vacuums, no thanks.
I'll time myself today to see how long it takes for me to wash my milking machine parts. BTW, I didn't always have the second dishwasher for storing essentially my clean machine. Not at all necessary. Sorry if I conveyed that. I was just showing how I do it presently. |
MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~ |
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farmlife
1413 Posts
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Posted - Oct 26 2014 : 07:28:56 AM
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Just saying I don't mind doing dishes via dishwasher, but mine is usually busy. I love it when all my dishes are done as well, but it is my least favorite household chore. Give me laundry any day of the week, especially if I can hang it out on the line. There's something so calming to me about doing it that way. Vacuuming isn't my favorite, but I much prefer it to dishes. However, I usually make my kids do the vacuuming.
Are you saying that you don't actually use your dishwasher to wash the milk machine, but just put the pieces in there once you have hand washed them so that they dry? So maybe some racks mounted on the wall could do the same thing? It still seems like lots of parts and crevices, though. Plus an added expense.
I agree completely with your assessment about calm time with your cow. It is wonderful to have that and also be able to provide a valuable resource to your family as well. I think that's why I'm so worried about making the wrong choice in a cow. I don't want my imagined peace at milking time to turn into a rodeo.
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Ron
4666 Posts
Ronnie
Peever
SD
USA
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Posted - Oct 26 2014 : 07:31:46 AM
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Elaine says here,here on the no carpets! About the only house work I don't care for is washing silverware! Lol |
With a moo moo here and a moo moo there, here a moo, there a moo, everywhere a moo moo. |
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maryjane
7074 Posts
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Posted - Oct 26 2014 : 07:40:38 AM
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My dishwasher runs on hot water only without the drying cycle and then after it's done, I open it a crack so everything inside air dries. But before I put the parts in, they're all washed by hand. The dishwasher is basically a very cool rack that's isolated from all the other things going on in my kitchen. But the milk can (I actually use two) are put upside down to dry and they're hand washed also. I do it lickety split and sometimes I walk away from the dishes because hubby or son offers to wash them for me. |
MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~ |
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farmlife
1413 Posts
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Posted - Oct 26 2014 : 07:46:50 AM
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Sounds like a good system. Especially the part where you get someone else to do it for you. I love that part! I think I could do something like that in my laundry room since I already have a sink in there, but we are pressed for space in that room as it is. If I put a dishwasher in it would take out some of my storage for sure. More thinking and saving to do clearly.
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maryjane
7074 Posts
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Posted - Oct 26 2014 : 07:52:29 AM
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My long-term, 20 year goal/fantasy is to expand what I'm doing here to the point where people come to pick up a lactating cow 5 months away from calving (confirmed pregnant) and spend 2-3 days training with me/us. If they want a milking machine, they leave with the milking machine of their choice fitted and tested on THEIR cow to include EVERYTHING they'll need. A total "cow kit." Along the way, I'd hire a full-time vet tech to help me as my herd grows. How's that for a fantasy!!!???? |
MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~ |
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maryjane
7074 Posts
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Posted - Oct 26 2014 : 07:55:42 AM
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My dishwasher is an old junker that's ancient (gosh, maybe 20 years old) but clean on the inside. Actually, my laundry room would work also. You just need a system for where everything gets put. If you don't have flies, you could hang everything on hooks around the room, as long as the parts can drip dry onto the floor. |
MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~ |
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farmlife
1413 Posts
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Posted - Oct 26 2014 : 07:56:53 AM
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It sounds like a wonderful fantasy! Also, the perfect way to buy a cow with as little risk as possible. I'll start saving right now so I can be your first customer 20 years from now. It may take me 20 years to do all the research I need to get done to feel prepared anyway. I'll only be 55 then and all my kids will be gone and I'll be like Ron wondering what to do with all the milk, now that I finally feel ready.
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Ron
4666 Posts
Ronnie
Peever
SD
USA
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Posted - Oct 26 2014 : 08:31:17 AM
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Not a fantasy MJ but has always been my goal to do! Lol..
Keeley, all you need to do in twenty years is make friends with families with younger members. We get them that show up once a week, get milk,cream an butter and hang out and offer help. Really nice and fun too! |
With a moo moo here and a moo moo there, here a moo, there a moo, everywhere a moo moo. |
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NellieBelle
11217 Posts
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Posted - Oct 26 2014 : 08:47:48 AM
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My dishwasher has two legs and two arms, 70 years old, holding up pretty good. Ha! Good thing Joe doesn't mind doing dishes because he does them almost every night. I like to do my milking equipment myself. I use exceptionally hot water. Bleach (gloves). It doesn't take all that long. 15-20 minutes and that includes any bottles or bowls I use to get milk put away. The rest of my chores, I guess I don't mind them either. Just something that needs done. I don't have carpet as I have allergies and find wood floors work better for me and just some throw rugs. I guess f I had to pick a chore I didn't like it would be cleaning the shower stall. Grout etc. drives me nutters. But, once it's done I'm :) Oh, and MaryJane, nothing is impossible! I always say, our success is up to us. |
Edited by - NellieBelle on Oct 26 2014 08:48:50 AM |
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farmlife
1413 Posts
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Posted - Oct 26 2014 : 08:49:38 AM
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Good idea. I already have a friend who says she will do my AIing for free if I'm willing to share A2/A2 milk. I'd still have to buy semen, but that would save me some $ and it won't be a problem to share milk, I'm sure.
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