strong milk

[wuden]

Our milk/butter from our Jersey cow smells and tastes like "barn". Any tips, suggestions, ideas? We're finally getting enough to use and we're thrilled but now no one wants to eat/drink it because it tastes awful!

Help,
Brenda

[gone-a-milkin]

Things that can cause an off-taste are improper sanitation, and not cooling the milk quickly enough. HOWEVER, chances are that she has some bacteria in her milk. Have you heard of CMT, (California Mastitis Test)? It is a cow-side test you can do to check. When you strain the milk, does it have any clumps or chunks in it. Sometimes it only shows as 'watery' milk. Is there one quarter that seems different from the others? Get that CMT, so you will know for sure. They sell it at most feedstores. Good luck!

[Jay]

How long has she been milking?
What is she eating?
What kind of minerals does she have access to?
Need more info.....

[DJ in WA]

Don't know what you mean by "barn" taste, but another possible cause of off-flavor is ketosis. Happens when cow not getting enough energy for her milk production. Sort of an acetone smell and flavor.

As Jay said, need info - How old is cow, when did she calve, how much milk is she giving (to calf and you), what and how much are you feeding, any soreness to udder, etc, etc.