dry up cow

[misty7850]

Can any one tell me is there a certain process you have to go through to dry up a milk cow ? Or can you just stop milking ? Any information would be appreciated..

 

[buck-wild-chick]

I think you just dont milk them .. Thats what you do with goats

 

[turnerstar31]

You need to be careful when drying them up especially if they are producing to much milk they can get mastitis. There is a treatment called tommorrow that we give them when we stop milking them. We usally stop milking them 2 months before they are due to have their calf. They for the most part are usually ready to stop milking anyway by than and we just give them the medicine to help them dry up and not get mastitis. You still need to watch though as they can get it when they are dry.

 

[wynedot55]

milk the cow out completely an dry treat her with tomorrow.she should go soft bagged in 2wks more or less.

 

[Mahonri]

When I was a kid we didn't have anything to treat them with, so we just gradually milked less. We'd go to once a day, then every other day. They would eventually dry up.

 

[Dodgegal79]

Make sure she is off any high protein feed. Just feed her plain hay will help in the drying up.

 

[Farmer Kitty]

Quote:
That used to be quite common but, with more bacteria in today's world isn't recommended anymore as it more often than not causes trouble. You have to throw away the first few days worth of milk either way. It is better to prevent than to wait and treat in this case.

 

[misty7850]

Thanks eveyone for the input.. all most helpful.