Drying off cow

eacrouch · #1 09/15/10, 06:23 AM

I have a Jersey cow who is around 12 months into lactation or more and due to calf in Dec (10th). I am giving her 9lbs of 16% pellet mixed with alfalfa pellet and all she can eat grass. She is giving 17-18lbs of milk at OAD milking. I am drying her off. Her last milking was yesterday morning. I did give her grain this morning. Should I milk her every other day for a few and then every third day? Also do you pull her completely off grain till she dries up? Will she remember to come in if we stop graining her later in her pregnancy/calving? She is an only cow with goats. Thanks, Erin

springvalley · #2 09/15/10, 07:39 AM

Why dry her up now? Had enough milk? Cows only need two months off before having a calf. Yes, stop the grain, I bet she is not skinny. Then just stop milking when you want to but keep an eye on her, check in a few weeks so she doesn`t get mastitis. >Thanks Marc

eacrouch · #3 09/15/10, 09:52 AM

Yeah I need a break from milking. OAD is great but it is nice not to do it for a couple of months. Erin