Sharing the Milk

Since Rosie calved and has freshened, we have milk once again.  Rosie makes more milk than her little bull calf can drink, but we have to have a plan to efficiently to share the milk so that we both get enough.  Over the years we've worked out a process that seems to work for us.  There are probably better ways, but this arrangement has worked, so we stick with it..

In the late afternoons at about 6 pm, we separate the little bull calf from Rosie.  They are on opposite sides of the fence, so he can't drink any of Rosie's milk.  From 6 pm until the next morning (5:30 am on weekdays and 7:30 am on weekends) all the milk Rosie makes is for us.

In the morning Rosie is waiting close to the fence.  She wants the dairy ration mixed with alfalfa and the molasses we give her.  She also wants to be milked to release the pressure of her milk-filled udder.

Rosie's little bull is on the other side of the gate and he is wanting one thing - MILK.  It has been 12 hours and he is thirsty.  He will be mooing and so will his mother.

Before we get them together, we bring Rosie quickly into the barn, brush her down, wash her udder and teats, put vaseline on her teats, pour her feed in the trough and milk her.  Then, and only then, we put Rosie and her little bull calf together.  She doesn't have any milk since we just got it all, but that doesn't stop the little bull from trying.  He'll bang on Rosie's bag with his head trying to get milk to drop.  He may get a little - but not much.

However, he'll be with her all day.  Rosie will make more milk throughout the day and he'll get it.  At around 6 pm, we'll separate them again and start the whole process all over again.