Testing the milk?

[RoyalValley]

Starting milking again next week when I bring Beth home. Here is a picture of her, just for your viewing pleasure 6 yrs old, freshened 4/23 and needs a new home because this raw milk dairy only milks once a day and she needs 2 times. She's small--comes up to the owners belly button and he is 6'2". I think I'm in love. <3



and I am going to offer some Milk Shares to sell the extra milk. Colorado requires the share program.

SO--

Question: What testing do you/should you do?

I was thinking of adding the somatic cell count test, but are there others that you would do if you are selling to other families?

If so, where do you get them?

Thanks everyone!

[G. Seddon]

Your large animal vet should know what tests are required...you could also check with a state animal health lab to help locate a vet in your area. Are there regulatory groups in Colorado who can advise you what is needed?

I imagine the cow would need to be tested for Johnes, TB, brucellosis, and maybe even a few other things, but your vet would know and would be able to do the testing (blood draws, TB testing involves 2 visits).

She's a beautiful cow!!!

[myersfarm]

yes down right BEAUTIFUL....and G Seddon has a good post there

[RoyalValley]

I'm not wondering about tests for buying her, which do include the TB, brucellosis and Johns, just wondering what do you normally test for to provide good quality milk. The Milk share law in Colorado doesn't require any testing, but they will want to see something if anyone that has drank your milk gets sick. That's when they would start asking questions.

[RoyalValley]

And THANK YOU! I'm so thrilled to have found her.

I actually emailed the guy of Craigslist because he had a bunch of Jersey bull calves for sale...and where there are Jersey calves, there is a Jersey mama. Sure enough, he had Beth for just for me!

[ozark_jewels]

Ok......that is a LOVELY Jersey mama!!

[sammyd]

local places check for SCC and plate count Organic Valley also checks LPCs

[myersfarm]

I do not know the price but reading your post YOU have not BOUGHT HER YET.....I would suggest you do that quick or she will be gone...nice good looking cows are hard to find...

[Callieslamb]

I'd test her for SCC and Plate count. Then any test that would tell about strep A. I took my milk to a local lab - one that tests water samples for the health dept. They will know what tests would be a good idea to run and how often.

[RoyalValley]

Myers, I haven't got her home yet, but I have spoken for her. She is $1600, what do you think of that price??

Thanks for the info everyone!

[myersfarm]

6 year old COW OFF A DAIRY FARM....that seems WAY HIGH in Missouri...and HIGH in any other area

it looks like she is in a grazing dairy which will help her last longer...

But 6 years is a old dairy cow to me she is in good shape though why I say that I bet she is the oldest cow he has.....

...6 years old for a cow that has been the FAMILY COW all her life will still have a lot left


but I would not expect her to go pass 9 or 10 she is a jersey milk fever is a problem with them at that age so figure that in your price and the butcher price might be way down when the time comes

[myersfarm]

Wonder if he had a heifer calf or a younger cow out of her that he would sell you?

[RoyalValley]

Myers,

He wasn't planning on selling any of his cows actually. When I emailed him because he had jersey bull calves on Craigs, I asked if he had any cows for sale. He said he was thinking of selling this one because she really needs 2 times a day milking instead of the one that his dairy does.

I have been looking for 6 months and this is only the 3rd cow within a 3 hour drive that has even been for sale, let alone one that actually looks like one that I want. $1600 is a little high for what I'd like to pay, but there just many around here.