No milking tomorrow - need counseling!

[DJ in WA]

Since our kids are leaving the nest, thought I'd get rid of a few animals. Today I sold a cow I was milking. Hated to see her go. Alot of memories, from getting the bull to be her daddy, to her birth, to raising her, halter-breaking, staking out, getting her bred, seeing her calve, my kids brushing her, etc.

My other cow freshens in a week.

So, I'm wondering what to do with myself. Normally I'd go out and let the calf in to nurse, then separate so milk accumulates overnight. Alot of little rituals. Wondering why I should go to bed if I don't need to get up and milk.

Many tell me milk cows are a hassle. For me, they provide motivation - better than Prozac, I suppose.

Hope I can make it til my other cow calves

[Teacupliz]

I know I could not help but think I am so blessed to have adopted two other shildren ages 12 and 13- last year would of been very hard with my last birth child off to college and my mother dying- Would of been a year to put me under wiht out my daughters and cows.
Hope the next two weeks are restful to you and blessed- and that you look forward to milking agian.

Life is forever changing-
liz in NY

[vquinn2]

Maybe you can just think of it as a weeks vacation. Since your other cow with calve in a week. It is amazing how milking, feeding, cleaning (up after cows), etc. is motivating, etc. I have said many, many times "I could have worse habits and it's beter than prozac!"

Good luck...maybe cow #2 will need somen special brushing, etc. before she calves.

Valerie

[DJ in WA]

I think part of my problem is that when I sell them, even though it's fair market price, it doesn't seem worth it considering all the time, feed, breeding, etc I put into them. But I can't keep accumulating them, especially with feed prices.

Can't keep them, and don't like to sell them.