Training a milk cow

[Guest guest]

Here at Paradise Farm, we don't milk, due to a hand injury. We do train our cows to be milk cows by constantly handling them from weaning. Yet the fact is, they've never been properly milked when they leave here.

So it was with pleasure that I heard back from Misty. We'd sold her to become a milk cow, even though she was already nearly 5 months along in her lactation and her udder had shrunk considerably. The expectation for quantity of milk was low.

Sure enough, the report was that they only got a pint each of the first two milkings. The calf had not been separated from her yet, so the quantity would probably go up when he was separated overnite and also from the increased demand for milk. What was remarkable was that she was no trouble to the new owners at all in going into the stanchion and standing to be milked. Her training had paid off.

She went readily into the stanchion and by the second day had learned how to turn her horns in order to get in easily. Then she never resisted milking, and even moved her leg back to provide easier access. She just behaved flawlessly and made me proud.

Good girl, Misty.

Genebo

Paradise Farm