Comments for Throwback at Trapper Creek

Comment on Family cow III by matronofhusbandry

matronofhusbandry — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:59:00 +0000

Donna, a cow already lactating may be the best to start out with. If you can find one, try to milk with the owners and find out as much as they will tell you. No-no’s would be mastitis, not breeding back easily, milk fever, etc. And if possible try to find one that will calve in the spring for you. Many problems with milk cows arise from not being able to graze, and especially while lactating. It is taxing on their system to be giving milk for the calf on the ground (and you) and be pregnant too.

As for acres, I am a proponent of only having cows if you have grass, I would recommend at least two acres for grass alone. But if you ask that question of 50 people, you will get 50 different answers. Milk cows can be kept on less, but then you have to buy more feed, and that can be expensive, so it depends on what your economic situation is. Keeping a house cow is not cheap, but well worth it

Comment on Butter me up! by matronofhusbandry

matronofhusbandry — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:50:07 +0000

Greenhorn, Hansen here too! There is a Jersey dairy in Oregon City, and their name is Hansen also. Ayrshire’s are hard to find, and a little skittish too I hear – but that may be a myth. Meadowland in Gresham used to have Ayrshires and Holsteins when I was growing up – but sadly they are gone now. No dairies left in this county

The Shorthorn couldn’t be bred yet for a September calf, maybe they meant she was bred in September for a May or June calf? We haven’t had any trouble with Johne’s. See if you can get your hands on Natural Cattle Care, by Pat Coleby. According to her, Johne’s in caused by a mineral imbalance, she says copper, others say other minerals come into play too. Best of luck!

Comment on Butter me up! by greenhorn

greenhorn — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:12:45 +0000

Dear MOH,

I just absolutely love your blog. Takes me to a place I miss the most; my grandparents’ places. My Maternal Grandmother grew up on a farm in Oregon, her father from Denmark – Hansen. She always had an amazing garden and made almost everything herself, buying very little. I grew up next to a dairy in Medford. Never owned a cow or milked one but I want one. I have read half of your entire webblog, and I am determined to get a cow! I am looking for an Ayrshire. I found a small dairy that has a milking Shorthorn bred to an Ayrshire for a calf due in Sept. They said they have had trouble finding Ayrshire around here and especially Johnes free Ayrshire. Do you have any trouble with Johnes Disease in your cattle?

thank you,
Greenhorn

Comment on Family cow III by Donna Clyde

Donna Clyde — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:25:51 +0000

Hello, we just moved to Louisiana, where raw milk is not available. We’re looking to buy a Jersey. Would you recommend getting a calf or a cow already lactating for someone new to owning a family cow?

Also, as we’re looking at land, how many acres would I need to raise one milk cow?

Thanks

Comment on The winter garden by matronofhusbandry

matronofhusbandry — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:44:13 +0000

Emily, probably because it freezes so much harder in your zone than here it does lose a lot of it’s goody. Kale is one of those funny things that when we included it in our mesclun mix, people almost always complained about it. Probably just depends on the area and the age of the plant. White Russian is purported to be cold hardy and it almost always freezes out here, yet Lacinato, or any of Frank Morton’s crosses always perform like champs.

Your comment is perfect because it illustrates how different everyone’s climate is – and one size does not fit all, especially in gardens

Comment on The winter garden by Linda

Linda — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:56:32 +0000

I’d love to be able to leave root veggies in but alas it just gets TOO cold. I have dug a pit, lined it with straw and covered it back in with soil so I had “fresh” carrots in the early spring or during a warm spell in the winter.

Comment on Still preparing for winter by Trisha

Trisha — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:23:45 +0000

Hi, Matron,

I adore your blog. Could you tell me what kind of camera you use for your blog pics? They are amazing!

Thanks in advance!

Comment on The winter garden by Emily

Emily — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:51:01 +0000

I confess utter confusion about the whole “kale tastes better after a frost” thing. I’ll certainly eat kale after the frost, but my kale has always been tender and sweet from first pickin’s in late May or or early June right through Thanksgiving (Michigan/Zone 5b). In fact, I think most kale loses character and texture after frost. I’ve grown many varieties; the curly kales are generally tougher than the Russian or “wild” types, and lacinato/dino kale withstands cold really well.

So if you’re shy to try kale because you think it’s inedible in August, I suggest trying it and seeing – it might be just fine in your location!

Comment on The winter garden by matronofhusbandry

matronofhusbandry — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:52:23 +0000

Hayden, I’m guessing the icy kale pictures are the ones you are speaking of – and I have to give credit to the kid for those two! I take the boring beet and celeriac pictures usually

See my reply to Ali about the cauliflower

Comment on The winter garden by matronofhusbandry

matronofhusbandry — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:50:45 +0000

Diane, you’re welcome!