restarting milk production

[Ken in Maine]

I have an opportunity to purchase some really nice milkers. Their owner has dried them off approximately 3 or 4 weeks ago.

From those with more experience... what do you think the chances are of re-starting their milk production. I have done it after 10 days but don't know if 3 or 4 weeks may be too long a time.

I'm probably going to get them anyways but was wonder what others might think.

[Vicki McGaugh TX Nubians]

Not very likely, even though you may have some udder that intially haven't been emptied out, once you empty the amounts that come back will be dismal, even with grain. It's worth a try, but biggy is to get them bred back now. If this sale is weeks away have her breed them for you. The worst thing you can do to dairy does is to give them these long 5+ month dry periods. Vicki

[saanengirl]

It's a lot harder this time of year than it is in the spring, but there is always the chance that it will work. I had a doe that I dried off last November but never got bred and I started stimulating her udder in early April and she came back into full production. It took about two months to get her into full production, but all summer she has been milking as much as she did last year. I had the help of the time of year, but I wouldn't give up on getting a doe back into milk after two or three weeks. It really depends on the individual doe and her will to milk.