Milking a corriente roping cow

[Their Other Mother]

We live in the Roping Mecca of the World where 1 in 3 homes has their own roping arena thus providing for a surplus of Corriente Cattle. I grew up on a dairy in Western PA (but moved to the wilds of AZ as a small kid) and really miss the fresh milk and other dairy products. My Sister & I have been talking about getting a cow to milk and her neighbor has a bunch of the Corrientes that they breed and sell or lease the steers out to ropers. So here's our thinking: We would like one of the cows to milk. No they're not a dairy breed but we don't need or want 5 gallons of milk a day, just enough for our families and to make butter, yoghurt, some easy cheese and cream for coffee and baking. Our other thought is to get a beef breed, milk the cow and have a beef steer every year for butcher. Are we being naieve or is this as logical as it seems to us?

(I Know: I should ask this on BYCows, but I forgot my pass word there)

 

[hcammack]

Some of the Beef breeds don't have the temperment to be milked. I might by a young heifer and raise her tame and then train her to milk. I may be immpossible though dairy breeds have often been selected for their temperment though they can be wenches to. I guess I would say good luck and go for it. Not sure if it will work. Another option is a lower production dual purpose breed of cow Belted Galloways or Dexters are two of them.

Good Luck I wish I could have a cow of my own and I am already starting to save for when I can.

Henry

 

[Farmer Kitty]

Some milk beef breeds but, they tend to be a bit more tempermental. Many will get a dual purpose breed or a jersey for a family cow.

As for a steer to butcher every year, you could get a heifer calf. A virgin heifer is actually more preferred for butchering. The meat is said to be better.

I emailed you about your password.

 

[hollybird]

many people claim that they are an old cow breed and were originally dual purpose. i would give it a try if you have the time to try to tame one to the handling.

 

[onthespot]

make sure your health insurance is current. I am not joking, just being practical. Teach her to hobble first.

 

[Haviris]

Well I cull for temperment, I'll keep a mediorcer cow w/ a good temperment over a really nice ill tempered one (these are actually my mom's cows since I only own one). I guess I never really thought about it. I could milk my beef cow if I wanted, course she was a bottle baby. My dad also has some I think he could probably milk, he calls them the wild bunch, which they are anything but.

I think the biggest problem if you get a young one is not knowing how they'll act after they calve. Some really sweet cows and turn into demons once they have a calf to protect.

 

[laughingllama75]

Hurry on over to Backyardcows.com

it's the second best info site on the web (I know I don't have to tell you the #1)