A New Home for Maggie Moo

As discussed in previous posts, our little 3 acre pasture is just not big enough to carry the amount of animals we have grazing on it now.  Three cows in milk require a lot of grass to keep the 'milk machines' producing. We got a call from a farmer right down the road that had a mama cow that died and needed a nurse cow to provide milk for the little calf.  Our Magnolia (Maggie) was a good fit for him.

Tricia texted me at work and told me that the farmer was coming to pick her up right after noon.  I wasn't even going to be able to tell her goodbye.  I could tell that Tricia was a little sad about selling Maggie.  She has been a real good cow for us.  She gave us a nice heifer in Lili, that we sold last week, and she was a good show cow that gave Russ lots of ribbons, buckles and honors.  Tricia walked out to the pasture to get Maggie.  Maggie looked up from her grazing.  You can tell how they've got the green grass clipped down pretty short.

Hey Maggie

But Maggie is all about eating.  Tricia's distraction was only momentary and she was back with her head down, ripping out grass with her strong tongue.

Maggie loves grass

She decided to give Amy one last drink of milk off of Maggie.  Amy is Rosie's little heifer, but Maggie has been providing milk to her so that we can milk Daisy and Rosie twice a day.  Amy is five and a half months old, so she's ready to be weaned. Enjoy your last milk Amy!  Once Maggie is gone, we'll likely hear lots of moo-ing from Amy.  Although grass and hay is good to a cow, that fresh, delicious milk is hard to beat. Weaning can be a hard process for the calf, us, and our neighbors!

Amy's last milk.

As much as you try not to get attached to animals that you know you might sell one day, it is hard to say goodbye when the time comes to sell them.  Our cows become like part of the family to us .  They're gentle and have provided us with lots of milk to drink and make things like butter, cream, ice cream, and yogurt with.

Tricia loaded her up into the trailer and told her that she was a pretty girl and that we were going to miss her.

You're gonna miss me when I'm gone...

And then the farmer fired up his truck and backed out with our Maggie.

Farewell, Mags!

Things are gonna be a little different around Our Maker's Acres Family Farm without Maggie.  She's been chewing her cud on our place for 2 and a half years now.  We'll miss her, but for Daisy and Rosie, well, with Maggie gone that just means they'll have more grass to eat.  We only have one more sale in the immediate future.  Once Bully breeds Daisy and Rosie, we'll sell him.  That's one thing that differentiates farm animals from pets.  Farm animals provide food and although you get attached to them, you've got to keep in mind that one day you'll either sell them (or eat them). It's tough to say, but that's how life goes in the barnyard.