my new cud chewing beauty queen

[Nyboy]

If next calf a female will you keep

 

[seedcorn]

Why? In spite of how these ladies treat the male of the species, female animals eat as well as male......

 

[canesisters]

@Nyboy, probably not. My pastures (right now) would be really pushed to support 2 adult mamas year round
I've made contact with several beef farmers around the area. They keep herds of cows and sell off the calves every year. I'm hoping that I might be able to 'switch' with one of them - give them my heifer to add to their herd in trade for a steer.

But - concerning the pastures , I'm meeting with a friend who is a surveyor this weekend to walk the property lines and re-mark my boundaries. 2/3's of my land is wooded and unfenced. I've just not had the time/tools/money to 'make pasture'.
However - after seeing how beautifully a cow can clear underbrush - I'm going to TRY to expand the pastures bit by bit (as money will allow) into the woods and let Eva and her calf do the clearing for me. It's slow... but it's cheap.
In ideal circumstances, I'd have a beef mama or two raising a couple calves each, plus 1 dairy girl JUST producing for home and sale (herdhshares in VA).

 

[baymule]

I love it that you are living your dream. Having your own cow, milking her and raising a calf for the freezer. That's what life is all about, being able to do what makes you happy.

 

[canesisters]

Mission Accomplished!!!

This is about 1/3 of the meat. I was able to help out 4 other families by the time it was all over.



Can't wait to thaw some out and see how it tastes!
PLUS - I've been getting about a gallon a day from Eva so even more folks are benefiting from al the milk, yogurt and cheese that I can't use up. (I'm not sharing the butter)

 

[Nyboy]

I wouldn't share butter either. You should be very proud of full freezer

 

[flowerbug]

Mission Accomplished!!!

This is about 1/3 of the meat. I was able to help out 4 other families by the time it was all over.

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Can't wait to thaw some out and see how it tastes!
PLUS - I've been getting about a gallon a day from Eva so even more folks are benefiting from al the milk, yogurt and cheese that I can't use up. (I'm not sharing the butter)

my hero of the week award!

 

[seedcorn]

She is still producing milk? Impressed. Both in her and that you are still milking her. Dedication.

 

[thistlebloom]

Good job Cane! Wow that's a lot of meat, very impressive.

 

[baymule]

That is a beautiful sight. That took work, dedication and love for your animals. Yes, we love our animals, especially the ones we raise to eat. Sharing the bounty is a generous thing to do. Good for you.