If the end of the world as we know it came and the financial structure fell apart and people where left to make it or perish - guess who would make it? People would come looking for us to learn what we know.
Mrs. AK-Bird-Brain :
Now, if I could just trade eggs/chicken for fresh garden veggies, and get a cow for milk, I'd be set!
Think goat not cow. Seriously.
2 does and you'll have gallon or more milk a day. Plenty to drink, culture for creams, yogurts, buttermilk, you name it - even making your own soft and hard cheeses.
They eat less, can forage in seasons with brush to eat, keep over grown places eaten down, are affectionate, playful and entertaining. They require less feild space for growing out. You can use any bucklings you don't want for meat. Chevron is very good I am told. (We haven't butchered any goats yet.)
They also can be taught to pull carts and wagons - talk about entertainment for little boys learning to handle a goat team. I am hoping for a matched pair to grow out for wethers from my next kiddings just for that purpose. My husband and FIL woodwork and we have talked about a buckboard for a while now. lol
Rethink the cow and get the goats. Saanana, Nubians, Alpines, Toggs or any combination of crosses from those. I don't like pygmy and mini goats LOL although those would work for you. My does are saanan/nubian crosses and they give a gallon of milk each every day and every night. I even use it to make goat milk soap.
Pssstt - did I tell you?? - get a couple goats and forget the cow.