Milk cow quit giving milk

[GrannyCarol]

I was talking with a friend today and she said their Jersey just pretty much quit giving milk. The cow's situation hasn't really changed, though my friend was concerned that the horses in with her were running her and that the cow might be missing other cows (which are on the other side of the fence). Her feed hasn't changed, she's in the same pasture she's been in since they got her last fall. The one other clue I have is that her milk tastes odd, kinda chemical? Acrid? Something off in the flavor.

Any ideas what might cause this?

[tinknal]

How deep in lactation is she? What kind of condition is she in? Has she taken the cow's temp? Is she bred, and if so when is she due?

[tinknal]

Are the blood sucking bugs bad there yet?

[GrannyCarol]

Well, had a longer conversation with the owner (rather than his wife!) and he said she goes off her milk with wet weather, when she's lonely or because she doesn't like the horses and he's confident she'll be fine once the horses go and a couple of heifers come in to keep her company.

He also said that she eats ragweed when it comes up and that gives her milk an odd flavor.

She's not bred, not sure about how deep in lactation. She was giving 3 gallons a milking, now a gallon here and there, maybe a gallon a day?

It's not such a big deal, she's a family cow, not a commercial one, and they don't need her to have tons of milk. She's in great shape, he takes really good care of her and there aren't any biting bugs particularly - its pretty dry out here. I guess the wife is a bit of a worrier... hehe I groom their dog, so I was talking with her this morning and him this afternoon!

[linn]

Why in the world would the owner keep a milk cow in a pasture where the horses run her? No wonder the poor old girl quit giving milk.

[GrannyCarol]

The older horse that has been in there all along was no problem, I think they didn't realize there might be a problem with the new horse until she quit giving milk. I don't know.

[springvalley]

I never suggest keeping cows with horses, unless the horse is very quite. Most horses love to run, and cows don`t. I would highly think that it is from running the poor old girl. > Marc

[mary,tx]

Originally Posted by GrannyCarol

He also said that she eats ragweed when it comes up and that gives her milk an odd flavor.

I can confirm that eating ragweed will make the milk bitter. I've had that problem with my goats, and didn't know what was causing it until I read about this problem in a weed book. Turned out that was, in fact, what they were eating.

I could only guess that being run by another animal would stress her out enough to make her not give milk. I've had a goat go down from being run by a dog.

[willow_girl]

Most horses love to run, and cows don`t.

I don't think I ever saw my old mare, Honey, move faster than a waddle except for the time my granddaughter rode her with spurs. LOL

[cowkeeper]

Some horses hang out with cows with no problem. A lone horse will even bond with a cow companion. BUT, it is very common for horses to run cows for entertainment, and anyone attempting to pasture cows with horses better be aware of the potential for problems. And, how much decent pasture does that cows have that she would eat enough ragweed to affect the milk? Sounds to me like an animal under a lot of stress. Don't expect her to breed back easily either, under those conditions.ck