Stupid newbie question

[barnyardfun]

We have a 1/2 Holstein 1/4 Jersey and 1/4 Limo cow that just freshened yesterday evening. This morning we milked out about 1 gallon of colostrum and this evening I know we had at least 1 and 1/2 gallon maybe 2.....would know for sure if she hadn't kicked the bucket over!! It is quite a chore to milk her! Hubby and I have to take turns and sometimes milk at the same time to ever get it done! I know it will get better once we are used to it!

Anyway, question is.....how much grain should we be feeding her?? Right now she is locked in the barn with no access to green grass because she is our fence jumper and will be gone before we know it! We plan to let her out within the next day or two and just leave baby inside so she won't go far.

Oh, we are leaving baby on her and just milking excess......if that makes a difference.

THANK YOU!

[tinknal]

Depends on how much milk you want. If you want maximum production you will want to grain the heck out of her. If you only want a couple gallons a day, take that and just keep her on grass. She will adjust her production to what is being taken.

[savinggrace]

Not a stupid question-a very good question!

What else are you feeding her? If you are feeding hay that is mostly grass hay, you can offer more but if your hay contains a good amount of alfalfa, and/or she has access to rich pasture, you will want to limit the grain somewhat.

Personally, I offer free choice grass hay, approx. 2 hrs pasture time and 8 lbs or so of grain at milking. That is for a 1600 (yes-big) lb cow milking 2-2.5 gal per day above and beyond what her 300# calf is taking.