Pleasant figures

ozark_jewels · #1 12/25/10, 03:48 PM

Did some figuring yesterday during evening milking.
We are milking 43 cows at this point(due to having to cover bills while we were forced to dump good milk down the drain for 5 weeks this fall, we had to sell 20 cows in a terrible cow market

). Still have a few dry cows to calve but most are milking.
12 of those 43 are late lactation cows (not giving much, milking over a year and due to be dried off soon to calve).
5 of the remaining 31 fresh cows are first-freshening 24 month old heifers. Weather has been nasty.
Even with all that, the 43 averaged 6-1/2 gallons last milk pick-up, plus the milk we pull out every day to feed to the calves. Considering the 31 fresh cows are basicly carrying the 12 late lactation cows, I am super pleased at those numbers out of the herd.
These cows are some older Holstiens, more crossbreds and a few straight Jerseys.
The milkman left us a bag of oranges. Think I'll bake him some cookies.

myersfarm · #2 12/25/10, 04:48 PM

wished I had know you were selling cows....I know of someone thinking about doing what I do...

topside1 · #3 12/25/10, 06:07 PM

Boy I wish I could visit your operation...You are one special person who is able to juggle finance, livestock management, super hard work, and still have the kind heart to help others to the fullest...Merry Christmas Emily,,,smiles.

oldtimer · #4 12/25/10, 07:17 PM

Ozark,
Re:

Quote:

we were forced to dump good milk down the drain for 5 weeks this fall, we had to sell 20 cows

What’s up with that?
OT

southerngurl · #5 12/25/10, 08:02 PM

Big brother was looking out for us OT.

Sounds like great production to me!

topside1 · #6 12/25/10, 09:28 PM

Just our friendly Gov't expressing their viewpoint...right or wrong...Topside

Germandairy · #7 12/25/10, 10:15 PM

Myersfarm What is it that you do?

ozark_jewels · #8 12/25/10, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myersfarm

wished I had know you were selling cows....I know of someone thinking about doing what I do...

Yeah, with everything that was going on, I couldn't take the time to try and sell them for better prices to individuals. Wish I'd known you were looking because I sold a few I'da rather kept! The first few loads we sent off, were ones that would have been culled sooner or later anyway, older holstiens, cows with a limp, mastitis more than once, poor producers. But the last load I had a really hard time sending. I was really looking hard for reasons to sell at that point and sent some pretty darn good cows.

ozark_jewels · #9 12/25/10, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by topside1

Boy I wish I could visit your operation...You are one special person who is able to juggle finance, livestock management, super hard work, and still have the kind heart to help others to the fullest...Merry Christmas Emily,,,smiles.

Well thanks, I think I'm like most folks. Doing what we have to to make it work, no matter what. Ain't that life.
Topside, the operation could use a LOT of work.LOL!! Been working on it for three years now, but still. The pastures, ponds and fencing all need serious renovation this coming year. And we need to work on a better feeding system as I'd still like to feed grain after milking, not during. But it will come.......

ozark_jewels · #10 12/25/10, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldtimer

Ozark,
Re:

What’s up with that?
OT

While the FDA had a presence here, no one could pick up our milk. Even though the milk and milkbarn was never under investigation and tested extremely well through the lab. No listeriosis or staph at all. Heck, they never found ANY, anywhere, not even when they swabbed the DRAINS in the barn and cheesehouse! But we didn't get reimbursed for anything, oh no. The whole story is on the blog page of our farmwebsite:

www.morninglanddairy.com

Though it hasn't been updated in a while.

francismilker · #11 12/26/10, 03:45 PM

Pretty good figures for this time of year with late lactationers and first fresheners I'd say. That's putting 50+ lbs in the tank per cow.

Do you have any aspirations of making cheese again? Or, did the FDA hicky you guys got leave you an uneasy feeling about it?

myersfarm · #12 12/26/10, 04:17 PM

Germandairy I milk cows and feed the milk to dairy heifers...I do not sell milk,,,,,right now milk 12 cows and feed 88
calfs

ozark_jewels · #13 12/26/10, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by francismilker

Do you have any aspirations of making cheese again? Or, did the FDA hicky you guys got leave you an uneasy feeling about it?

Oh, it left us with an uneasy feeling about the whole country, our food supply, you name it! But we are struggling to come back. Our customers and friends have been awesome and if we can get it together again and get the PTBs("powers that be") off our backs, we will have a ready market.