Guest guest Posted October 23, 2004 Report Share Posted October 23, 2004 Hi, all. I am so happy to have my new source of raw milk. I'm experimenting with the cream and a batch of yogurt right now. I know the milking family lets the cow graze as much grass as possible, but also feeds grain and alfalfa hay. I think they are feeding 15-20 pounds of grain a day. They don't have a ton of acreage, so are probably limited in available pasture. I'm sure their motivation is to feed as little as possible, as grain is expensive, but they also want to keep the cow's production fairly high. My dilemma is that on the one hand, I am thrilled to have the milk and I know it is much better than the pasteurized from the health food store, but on the other, I am concerned about the amount of grain fed. Some people say any grain is bad, but I recognize the reality is that it is very hard to manage a dairy cow on pasture alone, especially as one is just starting out. They have not mentioned any bacterial testing of the milk at this point. Does this mean that the bacterial count in the milk could be too high for me to safely leave the milk out on the counter for all these great raw milk recipes? Am I just being paranoid given this is my first experience with raw milk? Thanks for any advice! Sara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 24, 2004 Report Share Posted October 24, 2004 The breed of cow you milk has a lot to do with how much grain you have to feed it. Some cows are better at converting grass to milk than others. With the higher production bred cows they have been bred to produce so much milk, regardless of their personal condition that they have no hope of maintaining healthy body condition on grass alone. Some cows particularly heritage breeds and those bred for management intensive grazing have a better shot of staying healthy on forage alone. If their forage intake has to go down for some reason their milk production will drop slightly to compensate, this allows them to maintain body condition and still nurture their unborn calf. It is not easy to find such cows, I know because I am looking to buy such a cow for our family cow. RE: the testing of the milk, many dairies consider testing as just part of the dairying routine and wouldn't necessarily think to advertise their practices, or results. But definitely ask, the testing of raw milk is important, as is sanitary milking procedures. Raw milk does have natural antibacterial properties to protect you from garden variety bacteria that gets on and into everything around us, but dirty milk and milkers are a different story. I asked when milking time was, and asked if I could watch soup to nuts how the milk got from the cow to the tank. Spending a bit of time with the farmer creates a sense of familiarity that makes it easier to ask questions, in a less accusing way. Offer to help with chores, who knows you may learn a lot more than you even want to. I live where raw milk is legal and regulated, so its easier, but if you are purchasing under the table in an unregulated state, you have to educate yourself about the dairying process and develop a good trusting relationship with the farmer. Search such terms as "milking your cow (goat)", "dairy equipment disinfecting", "teat dips", "washing the udder", and many more. I started learning because I milk our goat and want to get a cow, but it may be a good idea for those of you who want to buy unregulated raw milk. Kim Raw - Grass + Grain OK? Hi, all. I am so happy to have my new source of raw milk. I'm experimenting with the cream and a batch of yogurt right now. I know the milking family lets the cow graze as much grass as possible, but also feeds grain and alfalfa hay. I think they are feeding 15-20 pounds of grain a day. They don't have a ton of acreage, so are probably limited in available pasture. I'm sure their motivation is to feed as little as possible, as grain is expensive, but they also want to keep the cow's production fairly high. My dilemma is that on the one hand, I am thrilled to have the milk and I know it is much better than the pasteurized from the health food store, but on the other, I am concerned about the amount of grain fed. Some people say any grain is bad, but I recognize the reality is that it is very hard to manage a dairy cow on pasture alone, especially as one is just starting out. They have not mentioned any bacterial testing of the milk at this point. Does this mean that the bacterial count in the milk could be too high for me to safely leave the milk out on the counter for all these great raw milk recipes? Am I just being paranoid given this is my first experience with raw milk? Thanks for any advice!SaraGet more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 24, 2004 Report Share Posted October 24, 2004 Bacteria is not the enemy, PATHOGENS could be a concern but a healthy family cow on pasture as much as possible is more than likely FINE. I give my cow enought grain to bribe & thank her which is far less than your source cow but if I had no cow, I would be pleased as pudding to find someone willing to share thier milk cows milk -and not worry -and make all the yummy raw milk stuff. I can't find anyone willing to do the milk testing either. The dairy next door won't add a vial of my milk to his cow's vials when the milk tester comes. The state says since I only have ONE milk cow that I don't meet the definition of a dairy so they won't test my milk. So I just do what people have done for 10 thousand years. Enjoy raw milk produced in the cleanest possible way. Full of goodness. Management of the family cow sometimes includes concentrated feed. -Sally L > I recognize the > reality is that it is very hard to manage a dairy cow on pasture > alone, especially as one is just starting out. They have not > mentioned any bacterial testing of the milk at this point. > > Does this mean that the bacterial count in the milk could be too > high for me to safely leave the milk out on the counter for all > these great raw milk recipes? Am I just being paranoid given this is > my first experience with raw milk? > > Thanks for any advice! > > Sara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 24, 2004 Report Share Posted October 24, 2004 Re: Raw - Grass + Grain OK?Bacteria is not the enemy, PATHOGENS could be a concern but a healthy family cow on pasture as much as possible is more than likely FINE.I give my cow enought grain to bribe & thank her which is far less than your source cow but if I had no cow, I would be pleased as pudding to find someone willing to share their milk cows milk -and not worry -and make all the yummy raw milk stuff.I can't find anyone willing to do the milk testing either. The dairy next door won't add a vial of my milk to his cow's vials when the milk tester comes. The state says since I only have ONE milk cow that I don't meet the definition of a dairy so they won't test my milk. So I just do what people have done for 10 thousand years. Enjoy raw milk produced in the cleanest possible way. Full of goodness. Management of the family cow sometimes includes concentrated feed. ---Sally L> I recognize the reality is that it is very hard to manage a dairy cow on pasture alone, especially as one is just starting out. They have not mentioned any bacterial testing of the milk at this point. > > Does this mean that the bacterial count in the milk could be too high for me to safely leave the milk out on the counter for all these great raw milk recipes? Am I just being paranoid given this is my first experience with raw milk? > > Thanks for any advice!> > Sara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 24, 2004 Report Share Posted October 24, 2004 > I can't find anyone willing to do the milk testing either. The > dairy next door won't add a vial of my milk to his cow's vials when > the milk tester comes. The state says since I only have ONE milk cow > that I don't meet the definition of a dairy so they won't test my > milk. > > -Sally L I have my milk tested for Sematic Cell Count (SCC), Butterfat & Protein through the WA DHIA lab. They are very nice to work with and don't care how many animals you have to test. I'm getting other reports, so it costs me $10.69 a month and I have 4 goats on test right now. But if all you need is the SCC, Btf, & Pro then it would only be around $5/ month! Here's a website to see if there's a DHIA lab in your area and their contact information. Contact them and see if they will work with you! If they don't I might even contact the WA DHIA and see if they will let you join up with them. I LOVE working with them. ;-) http://www.dhia.org/members.asp ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ :-) Shelton, WA (NW of Olympia) @ Jekuthiel.com Jekuthiel means: God will support -- Luke 12:29-31 <>< http://Jekuthiel.com/ --come visit!!! (Last Updated 9/23) Registered Nubian Dairy Goats (Buck Service Available) 2004 Kids available NOW! Check out my " For Sale " page & home to a bred Jersey Cow to freshen Mar/Apr!! -------------------------------------------------- **Jekuthiel's Handmade Gifts!** Silhouette Potholders'n Wall-hangings, Shawls & Appliquéd Goat Shirts!!! Goat Breeding & Records Calendars! *NEW* Goat Cross-Stitch Patterns! http://jekuthiel.com/gifts.html (Last Updated 10/22) **Online Shopping Cart!** -------------------------------------------------- Proud Sister of TWO US Marines (Sgt & LCpl)!!! http://Jekuthiel.com/MarineEGA.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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