Family Milk Cow: Tippy Margaret Update

 It is now winter and much has happened in the way of Tippy Margaret. When we purchased her in June of this year, we knew she had been in with a bull for a little while. Thus, hoping she was pregnant. If she had not been, we hope she soon would be - as she was placed with a small herd, with a bull in the mix. 

All that to say that our dreams of having a milk cow come Spring were well under way. Then life happened. We found Tippy to be pregnant, much farther along than conception in May or June. She actually calved mid-October, delivering a bull calf - Angus / American Milking Devon cross - while we were out of state. Life's learning curves are perfectly effective, aren't they?

What does that look like for us now? Well, we are currently calf sharing, with milking attempts being made a few times a week. If I am honest, leasing a spot for your cow and attempting to milk in the wide-open range, with no barn or water access is... difficult at best. We are thankful the calf and mama cow are well and going strong, and I am thankful that Tippy does allow me the opportunity to milk free standing for as long as food remains in the bucket. :)

This process has taught us much in the way of what we will desire once we get land of our own, and until then we will push forward and maybe even get enough milk for our morning coffee. 

Family Milk Cow: Building Trust with Tippy

 I often feel like I am suppose to wait for the time to be ideal, or just right before I leap into something. Sometimes I feel the complete opposite and I just jump, and roll with it. But our newest learning experience was a combination of both. Though we always hoped to have a family milk cow one day, we just figured it would have to wait until we were able to actually purchase our homestead. Well, here I am : on this side of the gate, with a registered American Milking Devon, who needs a family in which she can be a milk cow. 

Her name is Tippy, and she has been hanging with range cattle for a bit. Apparently, she has some mood issues at times - but who doesn't. Right now I am giving her lots of grace considering she just left her familiar herd, found herself with a small new one. Hasn't been milked in a couple years and doesn't know me from Anne.

In just two weeks, we have made some good progress. She will now come at the sound of the alfalfa in the bucket and allows me to rub her head and neck while she is eating. However, Tippy doesn't eat from my hand yet, but I hope to work up to that... 

Right now we are just building trust: getting to know each other - which takes consistency, respect and time.

I am thankful that this isn't my first go around with cows, because I think it would feel rather intimidating to attempt. Admittedly, I am no third generation dairy maid, but I have a pretty solid support and knowledge group around me who would like to see us both succeed. That is a nice place to be standing...