Milk is the foundation of so much of our food, and without milk, many good things that we all enjoy eating would not exist. Cheese, cream, butter, sour cream, yogurt, cottage cheese, ice cream, and many other products are made directly from milk, and many of the best baked goods, deserts, and sauces rely upon dairy ingredients for their texture, taste and richness. People worldwide have been successfully milking cows throughout history without the conveniences of modern life or industrialized agriculture, and continue to do so even today. With good preparation and hard work, it is still possible to keep, and milk, a cow for our own good pleasure, and to feed our family. Although cows can be stubborn, willful and disobedient, it is because they are so intelligent. Successful milking requires consistent kindness, good preparation, compassion for the cow, and perseverance in the face of adversity…as well as a sweet, trusting little Dexter cow to call your own!

Keeping a milk cow requires a long-term commitment to the daily efforts and hard work needed to meet her needs, regardless of what they might be, and what issues might arise. Prior to obtaining a cow, and throughout the time that she is in your care, it is necessary to ensure that she has a safe, comfortable and productive place to live. The minimum requirements that must be met are 1) good fences, in good repair, to thoroughly ensure that she and her calf can’t get out, and that others can’t get in, 2) plentiful, quality food every day, 3) plentiful, clean water every day, and 4) sufficient shelter to protect her and her calf in times of severe weather, extreme cold, and extreme heat.

It is also necessary to appreciate, prior to getting a cow, that cattle are highly social animals and do not do well alone. While a milk cow can, in fact, be kept alone, she will be unhappy and seek to find a herd to join at every opportunity. Therefore, every bovine, whether male or female, needs at least one bovine friend in their paddock with them at all times. While humans, horses, chickens, sheep and goats make good friends, they aren’t a substitute for another bovine. If a second cow isn’t an option, a steer makes an excellent companion that also represents a valuable investment in future beef.


BARNYARD BASICS 101:
If you’re a beginner, you need to start at the beginning. A Dexter cow that receives excellent care will live for 15-20 years, and will likely produce a calf every year between her ages of 2 years and approximately 18 years. Older Dexters produce calves that are just as healthy and robust as the calves that younger cows produce, and they continue to produce sufficient milk to feed their calves throughout their entire lives.

A female bovine that has not yet produced a calf is referred to as a “heifer”, and then is called a “cow” as soon as she has produced her first calf. Throughout a heifer’s first year as a “cow” she can also be called a “first calf heifer”. A female that is not currently pregnant is described as “open”, “unbred” or “unsettled”. A female that is pregnant is described as a “bred heifer”, “bred cow”, or “settled”. A female that is pregnant and will soon deliver her calf is described as “heavy bred”. A milk cow that has just recently had a calf is described as having been “freshened”, in reference to her udder and milk production having been re-started.

An open female will be ready to breed every 21-23 days, and she will be noticeably unsettled in her behavior during that time. In fact, the entire herd will be unsettled and somewhat unpredictable, and it is best to be very careful around them as all of the boys will be focused on her instead of you.

It is very important that a heifer must not be bred until she is at least 15 months old to avoid a “teenage pregnancy”. Dexter heifers and bulls both mature as early as 5 months old, and therefore a heifer must be securely separated at that time from any intact males over the age of 5 months until she is at least 15 months old. After breeding, she will require approximately 283 days to gestate her calf, thereby having her first calf at the age of two years. At this age, a heifer will be sufficiently developed to safely deliver her calf. After giving birth, a cow will typically rest for two or three months before being ready to breed again, and if she is bred three months after giving birth each year, she will be on a convenient cycle of producing a calf every 12 months.


UNDERSTANDING THE LACTATION CYCLE:
Prior to giving birth to her calf, a cow produces a special type of milk called “colostrum” that contains special antibodies, nutrients, and other substances that are critical to the health of her calf. The calf must consume the colostrum during the first day of its life, and therefore the cow must not be milked by anyone else prior to her giving birth, and for a few days afterwards as well. Once the calf has consumed the colostrum, the cow will produce normal milk in abundance.

During the first month, the cow’s udder will be notably engorged as her production is high but the calf is consuming little due to its tiny size and restful nature. The calf will grow quickly, and as it does, it’s consumption of milk will increase.

By the second month, the calf will be very active, and will typically consume all of the milk that the cow produces, therefore emptying the cow’s udder at each feeding. As the calf grows, its demand for milk will increase, and the cow’s production will typically increase to meet that demand up until the age of approximately four months. At that time, the calf will begin transitioning to grazing, and soon thereafter the cow’s production will begin to slowly decline.

As the calf reaches the age of approximately six months, it may be ready to be weaned. At this time, the calf will be independent and will not require milk, but will continue to desire and consume it. The cow might begin to walk away, or kick, when the calf tries to nurse, in an attempt to wean the calf, but our experience has been that our Dexters will seldom wean their calves naturally. Therefore, the calf will likely need to be separated from its mother at the age of 6-7 months to force the calf to be weaned. The calf must be moved to a separate, fully-provisioned pasture with at least one other bovine friend to keep it company, and it must remain so for at least a few months to ensure that it is fully weaned. If the cow isn’t milked beginning on the same day that the calf is separated, her milk production will quickly cease, her body will slowly absorb any remaining milk, and her udder will slowly shrink.

If the cow is to be milked during the months after her calf is weaned, milking must be done each day to keep her in production. Failure to milk the cow just once might start the process of “drying-off”. Failure to milk the cow for more than a day can noticeably reduce production, and failure to milk the cow for two days might result in a rapid shut-down of lactation.

If she is milked out continuously, the very best cow might produce for more than a year, but it is generally unhealthy for her to do so. It is best for a cow to lactate for only nine months, and then have three months to dry-off and rest her entire system before she produces her next calf and freshens again. These three months are necessary to allow the cow’s udder to relax, to provide time for her to regain body condition, and to allow her to complete the gestation of her next calf. If the cow’s pregnancy was timed for an early-spring birth, then the three months of drying-off time will conveniently occur during the coldest months of winter when milking efforts are less pleasant.

Whether you’re dreaming of a refreshing bowl of yogurt on a warm summer morning, or a hot cup of cocoa by the fire on a cold winter’s night, we encourage you to get out there and milk your sweet little Dexter girl to make that dream come true. Savor the Blessing!
 

Our sweet herd of Dexters happily grazes the pasture beside our house as I work to complete my morning chores. The day is sparkling, and the skies are blue and cheerful. A perky wren hops playfully along the stone wall looking for worms for her tiny chicks that she secretly hatched in a nest stuffed between the rafters of our back porch, while a hen sings from our chicken house to let us know of the momentous arrival of yet another beautiful egg. The pastures are dotted with ancient oaks, and a particularly large tree dominates the area directly behind our house. The wizened old oak frequently provides a shady spot for our herd’s morning relaxation and brushing, and as I glance out upon the scene, I see that our cow Daisy waits for me in silence under the tree. I’ve been hoping for an opportunity to milk Daisy this morning, and this is my chance. I grab my milking pail and towels that I’ve prepared for this moment, and quickly draw a bucket of warm water. With my supplies in one hand and my milking pail in the other, I carefully balance a small feed tub filled with alfalfa pellets between my hip and elbow as I hurry out the back door.

Daisy knows the routine, and eagerly hustles over from where she was waiting on the other side of the house. If she gets her treat within sight of the other members of the herd, there will soon be a stampede in our direction, so we must work quickly and in secret. I place the tub of alfalfa pellets on the ground at the base of a small oak that is only about twelve inches wide, and position it so that it’s hidden from the remainder of the herd. Daisy eagerly lines up in front of the tub, and although the treat may be hidden, her wide, excited body certainly isn’t. I work quickly in hopes that the herd doesn’t notice what we’re doing. My bucket fills with milk from her pudgy little udder, and within minutes the job is done just as Daisy finishes devouring her treat. She eagerly turns to me in search of more, and I whisper sweet praises to her with a pat and a smile. My stealth milking mission is successful, and I sneak back into the house with my pail of cream just as distant heads turn languidly in my direction, wondering what I’ve got in my bucket.


THE MILKING PARLOR:
On a calm, warm morning, milking in the pasture can be a wonderful shared experience when it is just you and your sweet cow. However, if the weather is hot, sunny, cold, muddy, wet or windy, or if other members of the herd want to get involved, milking in the pasture can be stressful. Most people choose to milk their cow in a shelter of some kind, and the place that they do their milking is referred to as a “milking parlor”.

Your milking parlor can be as simple and rustic as the corner of a run-in shed, or as fancy as a custom, dedicated structure with heating and air conditioning. There is no standard or typical definition, design or configuration of a milking parlor, but rather, it is a place to make your milking efforts more comfortable and convenient based upon your own personal needs. A milking parlor protects you and your milk cow from heat, cold, rain and wind, and it also provides the opportunity to utilize working surfaces and storage for items that are involved in completing the milking task. Because each milker’s situation is unique, the only way to design an appropriate milking parlor is to milk your cow for a season or two to learn what would work the best for you. Experience will teach you what would be most helpful for easily getting your cow in and out, what equipment you need, what is required to maintain the area, and how you would best like to manage the resulting milk. The following are a few of the basic supplies that you will need in your milking parlor:


TREATS:
While some cows will simply stand still for milking, most require a treat to keep them busy and distracted throughout the process. The treat also importantly provides the cow with additional protein to compensate for the nutritional burden of making milk. As a treat, some people feed only hay, some feed grains, and we feed alfalfa pellets mixed with fermented fresh alfalfa ("Chaffhaye"). Our cows get very excited at milking time, and will eat their alfalfa pellets very quickly if we don’t add an equal amount of high quality hay, alfalfa hay or Chaffhaye to them.  Hay can be cut into small pieces using a pair of Bypass Pruning Shears before mixing it in with the pellets. Our cows are forced to chew the hay along with the pellets, which slows them down. Experience will teach you how much of a treat she will require, as it varies upon factors such as how far along she is in her lactation, how much milk she will give, how recently she has eaten, her overall body condition, and current weather conditions.


FEEDER:
Treats can be provided in a container on the ground, or in an elevated feed stand. The container should be secured in place, as your cow will likely attempt to push it around while she eats. The more she struggles to get the treat from the corners of the container, the more she will move herself around, which can make milking difficult. We constructed a feed box from cedar that has sides that slope to the bottom to minimize corners that are difficult to reach.


WARM WATER:
Before milking, the cow’s udder should be gently washed with a soft towel soaked in warm water. As well, milking should be done with clean hands. Water can be taken in buckets to wherever milking is performed, but if warm water was directly available at the milking area, the process would become significantly faster, easier and more convenient.


TOWELS:
A few small, soft, absorbent towels are necessary for washing and drying the cow’s udder, and for drying washed hands.


MILK CONTAINERS:
One or more containers are needed for collecting milk. We usually milk directly into a stainless-steel bucket that is placed on the floor under the udder. However, if the cow kicks, the milk in the bucket can be splashed, dumped or soiled. If we suspect that a cow might kick, we place our stainless-steel bucket off to the side, and instead milk into a small 32oz stainless-steel Frothing Pitcher that is held up close under the udder while the other hand is used for milking. This small pitcher is less vulnerable, and can be quickly withdrawn if the cow kicks. When the pitcher becomes full, we dump it into the bucket. This method is especially desirable when milking a previously-untrained cow.

Additional factors that might make milking more pleasant and convenient include the following:

GATES AND FENCES:
If you have other herd members, their activity can interfere with the milking process. Good gates and fences assist in management of your milk cow, as well as other members of the herd, to separate her and keep others away. Other herd members may be jealous or excited because your milk cow is enjoying a treat and attention, which can lead to frustration and difficulties. Gates and fences should be designed to allow you to calmly lead your cow in and out of the milking area, and preferably to keep her out of sight of other herd members throughout the milking process. It is also very helpful to have a second, side-entrance gate to use as an alternative, in the event that other members of the herd are waiting at your main gate.


STORAGE:
If supplies can be kept conveniently close at hand, milking can become easier and faster. Storage must be designed such that your supplies reliably remain completely clean. If you have cabinets, you might consider storing supplies in sealed plastic bins within them.


SINK:
Cleaning of hands and supplies becomes easier with a deep sink that provides water on demand. If your milking parlor isn’t located close to your house, an appropriately sized dry well will be needed to capture the outflow from the sink.


FIRM FOOTING:
Concrete is clean, durable and weather-proof, but some cows don’t like walking on it, and it can be slippery if it has a “polished” surface. Concrete can also require a special effort to clean if the cow makes a mess during the milking process, or if she tracks in mud. A milking parlor with a concrete floor must be specifically designed with cleaning, and associated splash management and drainage, in mind.

A dirt floor is the most common option for a milking parlor. Dirt is less expensive, although dust and mud can be a problem, and true cleaning isn’t possible. Covering the dirt floor with a thick, packed layer of hay can make a dirt floor more pleasant, while still being aggregable to the cow, although dust will still be present despite being reduced.

Note that our cows usually do not like walking on wooden floors.


LIGHTING:
If the cow is to be milked in the early morning hours, or in the late evening, lighting can be beneficial. Lighting should be positioned such that it illuminates your efforts at the udder, rather than casting shadows upon it.


HEATING:
If milking is performed during cold months, heating can be desirable if the milking parlor is a small, enclosed space. However, heating is difficult to implement, it must be started in advance to warm the area, and large open areas will not contain heat. Safety factors must also be considered when heating is involved. We have milked in our large, spacious barn without heat in single-digit temperatures, and the effort was reasonable because we were fully protected from the wind.


AIR CONDITIONING:
Air conditioning would be the ultimate convenience in a milking parlor, but is realistic only for small, fully enclosed, insulated spaces. A fan would provide a nice alternative when milking in large open areas. If you have a fan, be sure that it doesn’t blow across the udder, as it will blow the milk away from your bucket.

Sweet Daisy and her wonderful mama Sabrina were the first cows that we ever milked regularly, and we learned much from that early experience. While they were excellently cooperative, we had not yet learned the value of facilities and routine, and hope that we now provide our Dexter girls with a superior experience. We were blessed that Daisy and Sabrina worked with us despite our lack of knowledge, and while we still don’t have a fancy milking parlor, we have an old barn, and an excellent corral, that provide shelter as well as the ability to prevent interference from others. Perhaps you’ve avoided milking your sweet Dexter girl because you think that you don’t have proper facilities for doing the job, but if you look closely at the corner of that old run-in shed where she sleeps in the winter, you might start to see it as a fine milking parlor with all the conveniences necessary to fill your bucket. By the way, what’s in that bucket that you’re carrying…have you got a treat? If it’s creamy, Savor the Blessing!

Milk is so simple, unglamorous and commonplace that most people take it for granted. However, milk contains proteins, butterfat, carbohydrates, and a rich variety of other valuable components such as calcium and phosphorous that make it one of the most complex, nutrient-dense foods available. If a Dexter cow produced two and a half gallons per day for the first six months, and then one gallon per day for the following ninety days until she was dried off, she would have produced approximately 540 gallons of milk. This is an amazing amount of nutrition that she gives of herself, and the greatest wonder is that she makes it from the simplest food of all: grass. Our herd enjoys plentiful green grass and quality hay, and these are sufficient for our cows to maintain themselves, to produce and feed healthy calves, and to provide us with milk.

A female Dexter fundamentally eats to sustain herself. A heifer, or young cow, requires more nutrition than a mature cow because she is still growing rapidly. When she is bred, she requires additional nutrition because she is now feeding the growth of her unborn calf. As her gestation progresses, her nutritional needs increase to the extent that during the final three months of gestation, over 50% of her nutritional intake is used to develop her calf. When her calf is born, her nutritional needs further increase for the following three months to their highest levels as she is then producing an abundance of milk. If she is a heavy producer, she will require even more nutrition. If she is subsequently re-bred, her nutritional needs remain high as she is then feeding herself, her milk production, and the gestation of her unborn calf. Furthermore, if temperatures become cold, she must expend additional calories to keep herself warm, and the colder it gets, the more nutrition she will require for warmth.

Cold, windy and wet conditions are especially difficult for a lactating cow. A critical requirement is to provide adequate shelter to protect against such stress. A suitable shelter would be a barn, or “run-in”, with its back towards the north. The shelter should be deep enough to allow your Dexters to escape swirling winds and driving rain, and should be large enough to hold your entire herd. Straw can be provided on the floor for bedding, and hay can be provided in a crib or ring. Clean water must also be available at all times. The shelter needs to be situated where it can be easily and readily cleaned and serviced, and its floor needs to be suitably elevated from the surrounding area to prevent rain water run-off from entering or saturating the floor from the outside. Keeping a lactating cow dry, warm and stress-free will reduce her nutritional burden.

A cow requires quality grazing to satisfy her nutritional needs. Winter grasses are important, as they supplement the nutritional content of hay, but their nutritional content is typically low. Grasses in late spring and throughout the summer provide the greatest nutritional content of the year, while the nutrition provided by fall grasses is somewhat lower. Hay provides critical nutrition while pastures are dormant, but it is lower than green grasses, and its nutritional content varies widely depending upon the type of grasses included, as well as where and when it was grown and cut. Alfalfa hay may have a protein content of 17-20%, Bermuda hay may have a protein content of 11-16%, and hay made from native grasses might have a protein content of 4-13%. Summer hay has a higher nutritional content than fall hay. The nutritional content of hay that was cut when it was overgrown, old, stressed, wet, moldy, or allowed to lay in the pasture too long before being baled is especially low. Quality hay should smell good, have no hint of mold, and consist mainly of dried leaf with very few stems. Be aware that some hay producers will wait until late in the season to bale in an effort to maximize the number of bales that they produce, which can result in very poor quality. Hay should be cut when the grass initially begins to put up its seed head, at which time it primarily consists of green leaf with very few course stems or seed heads. Stems and seed heads contain very little nutrition. Also be aware that the longer baled hay sits in the pasture where it is subject to the elements, the more nutrition it loses. When you are purchasing hay, ask when it was baled, inspect the hay closely, and use your nose. If it doesn’t look and smell good, it probably isn’t very nutritious. It is easily worth paying extra to obtain quality hay.

Our experience has been that unlimited green grass of good quality, or unlimited availability of quality hay, should be enough to maintain a pregnant Dexter cow throughout the year, even when temperatures drop. However, if a cow is pregnant and also lactating during the winter months when she is predominantly eating hay, and if the temperatures begin to drop, her nutritional requirements may exceed what hay alone can provide. We have had success providing a daily ration of alfalfa pellets to any of our cows that begin to lose body condition during the winter. Alfalfa hay would provide similar protein, as would grain products and mineral tubs if desired.

It is best to closely monitor the body condition of a lactating cow and to immediately augment her nutritional intake if she begins to decline. It is much easier for a cow to maintain her body condition than to regain it. If efforts to increase her nutrition are not successful at stabilizing her condition, she may need to be dried-off in an effort to reduce her nutritional burden. Doing so will allow her to better maintain herself and complete the gestation of her next calf. The health of the cow and her calf is always more important than the desire to obtain milk.

One strategy for effectively meeting the nutritional needs of a milk cow is to intentionally time her pregnancies such that her calves are born at the time when spring grasses begin to appear in her pastures. If this occurs, she will have maximum availability of fresh grass for the longest time while she is lactating. As her nutritional requirements climb through the first four months of her lactation, she will have increasing availability of green grass. As her production peaks, she will be grazing summer grasses that provide maximum nutrition. Then as her calf approaches the age when it is no longer dependent upon her milk, it can transition to grazing fall grasses that will fuel its continued growth while also allowing the cow to regain body condition prior to the arrival of cold winter months. This strategy makes effective feeding easier and less costly.

Once we understand and appreciate the cycle of the nutritional burdens that our cow experiences throughout the year, we can then effectively accommodate her needs in an effort to ensure her health, and thereby maximize her future milk production. The time when it is easiest to improve her body condition is when her nutritional burden is lowest, which is during the time when her calf is weaned at the age of 6-7 months old. By intentionally improving her condition during these months, she will have an easier time completing the development of her new calf, and have a greater ability to produce an abundance of milk when it is born.

Milk is a precious gift that is overlooked and underappreciated by many people. For those of us that pursue the dream of milking our own cow, our efforts aren’t driven by a desire to save money or time from a hectic life, but rather we are driven to achieve the highest quality product from a cow that is treated with loving respect and the greatest of care. We must remain ever mindful of our sweet cow’s health, which requires an abundance of green grass, quality hay, an occasional treat, and a clean and adequate shelter. We must evaluate her needs on a daily basis, considering all of the factors that are currently affecting her nutritional burden. If we feed her well, and are generous with our loving care, she will reward us with that creamy goodness that we so desire and work so very hard to obtain. Savor the great Blessing!

It was a cold February morning as the woman made her way from the farm house to the barn with her young daughter and son following closely behind.  The walk was brief, and the light from her lantern illuminated the path only a short distance ahead, making the pasture crossing seem much longer for the children.  The gentle rains that fell overnight deepened the sense of cold, and the resulting mud made their footing uncertain.  She had made this walk countless times before, and her feet knew the way without help from the lantern.  As they approached, the barn loomed large in the darkness, and the muted sounds of animals could be heard from within.  The children complained about the rain, the cold and the mud, but she remained silent, letting the experience work its meaning and lessons into their lives.

The barn was old, but sturdy enough and in good repair.  It was the center of life on their farm, providing housing for their horses, cattle, sheep, goats and pigs.  Their barn was the source of their food and their income, and without it, life at the farm simply wouldn’t be possible.  Next to it was a small, humble shed built from native cedar posts that provided four stalls for their horses, as well as a sheltered feeding area for their pigs.  The east side of the barn was dominated by a large run-in where their cattle could be fed while protected from bad weather.  Their goats and sheep each enjoyed a run-in of their own on the back side of the barn, with doors that led to inside areas with bedding and hay cribs to keep them protected from the elements, and from nightly predators.  A wide aisle divided the barn interior, along which their buggy and wagon were currently stored.  There was also a nursery pen for their sheep and goats, and most special of all was a stall for milking in the back corner by the gate.  This was the woman’s destination each morning, and was where she was heading now as her daughter and son attended to their chores.

She paused for a moment to soak in the comforting safety of the barn.  By the dim glow of her lantern, she could see the sturdy cedar posts, rough beams and knotty pine siding that provided shelter for so many.  The earthy smells of animals and hay hung in the air, mixed with the quiet bleating of sheep and goats.  She could hear the lowing of the cows hungrily waiting at their feed trough, and the sounds of her daughter tossing flakes of hay down into their crib from the loft above.  Shadows thrown by the lantern played upon the interior fences and gates that separated each area of the barn, creating intricate patterns of light that penetrated into the deep shadows around her.  She retrieved a bucket of grain from the small feed room that separated the milking parlor and nursery pen from the sheep and goats, and prepared a treat for her cow in the feeder at the front of the milking stall.  After inspecting her surroundings, she hooked her lantern on the beam overhead, and opened the gate for her milk cow that was patiently waiting to come in from the dark.

The cow quietly enjoyed its treat while the woman efficiently washed, dried and worked her udder, and soon her pail was full with the day’s milk for her family.  By that time the animals were fed, and the barn sufficiently cleaned, that they could return to the warmth and welcome of their kitchen for breakfast.  As light began to creep into the eastern sky, the woman reflected upon the difficulty of their efforts, but the richness of home and family, and the bounty they enjoyed, empowered her efforts and motivated her to continue on with the new day and the events that it would hold.

Winter soon turned to spring, and as the seasons progressed, so did the years.  When her daughter became old enough, the woman and her husband presented her with a heifer from their milk cow.  The heifer was lavished with loving care, and the daughter won a blue ribbon joyfully showing her in the ring at the county fair.  Her proud father built a second milking stall in the barn, next to her mother’s, as a reward for her efforts.  A year later the heifer delivered the girl a beautiful calf, and so she joined her mother at milking time, sharing many memorable mornings working side-by-side with their sweet milk cows.  Though the cold, the rain and the mud returned as they would, they didn’t seem as difficult as they once did, and life at the barn continued on.  There were animals and pastures and fences to care for, and equipment always needed to be fixed.  There was also cooking and cleaning and housework, and everyone worked in their large garden.  And through it all, there was the daily walk to the barn each morning to milk the cows.

Though the farm still had many lessons to teach, the promise of an easier life in the city was strong and relentless, and the boy and the girl eventually left behind their mother and father, and their two beloved cows.  There were occasional visits to the farm, as well as family gatherings for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and each time the girl made the morning walk with her mother to the barn to visit the old milk cows with a hug and wistful remembrance of the blessings of days gone by.  Eventually the woman and her husband grew old, and their days were done.  Because the boy and girl had their lives in the city, they sold the farm, the animals, the equipment, and the house.  On the day that the sale was completed, the girl took a final walk from the house to the barn, and looked back upon her years growing up there with her parents.  She poignantly realized that something very precious, rare and irreplaceable had been lost.  She remembered her mother and the special moments milking their sweet cows together in the old barn as tears ran freely down her face.  Her heart was heavy as she now realized the price that she had paid for the comforts and conveniences of city life.  The cold, the rain and the mud gently called to her once more, and she wanted desperately to run to the milking parlor where the glow from her lantern cast shadows that danced upon the walls as her cow waited eagerly at the gate in the dark.  The pain of the moment pierced her heart, though she had no choice but to turn away and continue on with her life in the city.

As the years continued to pass, the old barn slowly decayed and fell into disrepair.  The new owners didn’t use the barn for raising animals, and instead filled it with used appliances, scrap lumber and junk.  Brush grew up closely around it, and its roof rusted and leaked.  The old milking parlor silently declined as its floor eroded, its foundation failed, and gaps between the boards allowed the wind and the rain to seep in.  But the old milking parlor waited, and waited, and waited…until a bright day came when new owners, fresh with enthusiasm and hopeful dreams, purchased the farm.  The old barn wasn’t very attractive, and the milking parlor wasn’t initially recognized or appreciated, but still it waited.  Eventually the brush and junk were cleared away, the run-in was rebuilt, and once again the barn knew the presence of sweet little cows contentedly munching hay on a cold, rainy and muddy winter morning.

Belle eagerly awaits at the gate into the old barn as we prepare her treat and place it in the feeder.  It is a wet winter morning, and she shuffles impatiently in the embrace of freezing temperatures.  The other members of our herd hungrily eat hay from their crib as our milking supplies are readied and the gate is opened.  Belle dashes in, throwing up dust as she turns the corner and trots quickly over to her treat with her eyes bright and her head bobbing.  As she settles down, I encourage her with kind, joyful words, and then gently wash her udder with warm hands, warm water, and a warm heart.  Belle turns to look at me with gratitude as she happily munches an overflowing mouthful of alfalfa pellets, and then returns her attention to the feeder.  The morning sun, just now peaking over the horizon, brightly streams through the gates and fences that separate each area of the old barn, creating delightful patterns of light and dust that play upon us as together we enjoy the ancient ritual of milking that, for a time, graced this barn so many years ago. 

As I run a dry cloth across Belle’s side and belly, I look around me at the sturdy cedar posts, rough beams and knotty pine siding that provided shelter for so many animals in the past.  The earthy smells of animals and hay still hang in the air, and I relish the life that speaks to me from every board, every rusty hinge, and every antique nail.  As I begin to work Belle’s udder and milk sings in my bucket, the old milking parlor in the corner watches my efforts approvingly, and I can see a hard-working woman -- a wife and mother -- kneeling there beside her cow with tearful thankfulness in her eyes for the miracle of the milk, and I can feel the love in her efforts.  As I finish my milking routine, I lead Belle back out to the hay crib and give her a tender hug as I tell her what a great job she did.  I hardly even notice the mud as I carry my treasure back to the warmth and welcome of my kitchen, smiling broadly with the knowledge of the goodness and grace that provides such a blessing. 

The Dream, the lessons, and the way of life live on – through you, through me, and through our sweet little Dexters that we so adore.  Savor the amazing Blessing…savor it today.

A cool breeze stirred the trees above as I milked our sweet Dexter cow Maribelle in the welcoming shade. The last rays of the setting sun brilliantly illuminated the tops of the trees and cast long shadows that stretched dimly across the pasture as the breeze chased away the last remnants of the heat of the afternoon. Maribelle calmly munched her treat as she shared the remaining milk that her rapidly growing calf hadn't yet consumed throughout the afternoon, and as the cream flowed into my bucket, I reflected upon the blessings of the day that we had enjoyed.

After completing my morning chores, I spent time with our herd at our rustic old barn while we relaxed under the oaks and relished the cool of the morning following their sunrise grazing. As Maribelle's mother Willow stood before me in the effulgence of her late pregnancy, I noticed that her udder was suddenly much tighter. We had been expecting a calf at any time, and indeed within the hour Willow purposefully walked away by herself and disappeared into a wooded area not far from where she had delivered her previous calf.

Throughout the day we checked on Willow, and to our delight, late in the afternoon we found her surrounded by our excited herd with a tiny calf by her side. All were gathered close to watch her adorable new girl joyfully hopping around her, stopping now and then to take advantage of her mama’s bountiful udder. As I made my way to Willow, her curly, wet calf toddled over and nuzzled my arm, and then quickly returned to Willow for more cream. I tenderly petted her and welcomed her to the ranch as the herd moved off to allow Willow and I time to bond with her newborn heifer.

It is an amazing experience to greet a new calf for the first time, and wonderful little “Rosie” will be well pampered in the days ahead. However, caring for Dexters involves much effort in addition to the joyful moments when we get to delight in the wonder of a newborn calf. We occasionally get asked for the most important bit of wisdom that we have to share about raising Dexters, and our answer is to understand, and effectively use, the power of daily routine. Cows are highly motivated by routine, and management of them becomes significantly easier when you establish efficient routines that simplify your efforts. In regards to milking, the process of training a cow for milking is actually an effort to teach your cow, and yourself, the milking routine that you desire to implement. Without a routine to follow, your cow will be confused about what to do, and what you expect from her, and your efforts will be unproductive.

You don’t need to be an expert cattle handler to train your cow for milking. Rather, all you need is the determination to do the same thing, at the same time, and in the same place, every day. Call her to you in the same way, lead her to the milking area in the same way, give her a treat in the same way, wash and dry her udder in the same way, milk her in the same way, and then lead her out in the same way. Keep it simple, and be encouraging and generous with your praise, and she will learn. With each passing day she will become more ready, more eager, more cooperative, and more relaxed. This will usually result in the milking process taking less time, with less frustration, and yielding more milk. Yes, there are problem cows that never want to participate no matter how hard you try, but we hope that your cow isn’t one of them. If you stay with it, there may come a day when The Dream comes true and you finally get to enjoy a tall glass of her creamy, delicious milk with a huge smile on your face.

If you’ve never milked a cow before, then your first attempts might not live up to your expectations. After all, doesn’t everyone simply walk up to their cow, do a little easy squeezing, and walk away with a bucket of milk? Why won’t she stand still? Why won’t she stop kicking? Why won’t she give me more than a half cup of milk? Doesn’t she know that this is supposed to be fun? Before you begin your milking adventure, set your expectations appropriately. Expect that the first few weeks are about training, and not about milk production. Determine that you will give it your best effort, that you will be kind to her no matter what happens, and that you will stick with it every day. You will likely find that when both of you have finally learned your routine the milk will begin to flow more freely. Your land, your facilities, your herd, the season, the weather, the personality of your cow, and other factors will determine the routine that works best for you, and then you’ll see that there really isn’t much to it.


ESTABLISH TRUST:
It is essential that a cow learns to trust you before she will be willing to share her milk. An untrusting cow will not willingly let you halter and lead her into the corner of a milking stall, and even if you get her there, she may kick if you try to touch her udder. Trust is earned through consistent kindness on a daily basis, providing your cow with plenty of encouragement and gentle interaction. She wants, and needs, to be brushed often. If she is ever treated unkindly, she will not likely be a willing milker. If she misbehaves during milking, we recommend that you solely, sternly and consistently say “no” and then continue. If her behavior is so bad that you can’t continue, calmly take her treat away, collect up your supplies, leave without a backwards glance, and she will understand.


PROVIDE AN INCENTIVE:
Your cow will look forward to milking time if there is an incentive involved. Most cows enjoy having a treat to keep them busy while being milked, and we provide alfalfa pellets mixed with an equal amount of chopped hay, alfalfa hay or fresh fermented alfalfa ("Chaffhaye").  It takes our cows just one experience in the milking parlor while enjoying a treat and special attention to teach them to be waiting at the gate when we arrive again at the same time the next day. We don’t often give treats, and this provides a strong incentive to participate.


PRACTICE:
Two weeks before you intend to begin milking, start practicing your intended routine with your cow to give both her and yourself the opportunity to learn and improve upon your routine before milk actually begins to flow into your bucket. Practice leading her in, giving her a treat, and cleaning her. Pretend to milk her udder a bit without squeezing, give her plenty of praise, and then lead her out. After two weeks you will both become comfortable and quick with the routine, and management of her will no longer be an issue, therefore allowing you to begin focusing upon the mechanics of milking.


BE PATIENT:
When beginning milking, expect your cow to be uncooperative, and don’t get upset or impatient with her. Anticipate that you will get very little milk at first. Give her time to learn the routine and understand what is expected. Always treat her with gentleness and respect, even when she doesn’t deserve it, because she is your working partner!

As I looked back upon the day, I appreciated with excitement the opportunity to begin a new season of milking that comes with the birth of Maribelle’s new sister Rosie and the freshening of their mother Willow. My excitement was rewarded as three days later I gave Willow a sniff of alfalfa pellets, and she excitedly bobbed along behind me as we walked together to the milking parlor. There she dashed through the gate and eagerly devoured her treat as she filled my cup with cream and I once again enjoyed a special time bonding with my grown-up Dexter girl. Through Rosie, Willow passes on her sweet personality and training, and genetics for milking, and another future milk cow is born into the family.

As I completed our twilight milking under the trees, Maribelle quickly devoured the remains of her treat and moved on with her mother and tiny new sister as they continued their evening grazing. There was so much to be thankful for, and as I watched them go, I gazed upon the lushness of the pastures and the beauty of their family, and was again filled with peace and comfort by the wonder of such gifts. A trained milk cow is a real and valuable treasure... Savor the creamy Blessing!

It was time to begin training our sweet heifers Sunshine and Daisy to walk on the halter in preparation for their future as our long-awaited milk cows. We had high hopes for the two of them, as they were the first two heifers we had ever raised, and we believed that our daily pampering would result in a willingness to cooperate. We had no previous experience with halter training, and nobody to provide seasoned advice. However, we had a rope halter in hand and enthusiastic determination to succeed. Both girls immediately turned their head away as we attempted to put the halter on, but their sweetness overcame their dislike of our clumsy efforts. Soon they looked cute and happy again, and the remainder of our training effort would simply involve pulling them a short distance to a stall where we could provide a treat as a reward for their willing and generous participation. That was the moment when we learned how strong, stubborn and immovable an innocent little five-month-old Dexter heifer can be. We pulled, we pleaded, we even tried pushing, but the furthest we could get was a single stumbling step every few minutes. We also tried giving a treat after each step, which they delightfully devoured before immediately resuming their enthusiastic determination not to follow. After taking perhaps ten agonizing steps, Daisy flopped hard onto her side with her legs straight out, rolled her eyes so far back in her head that we could only see their whites, and pathetically groaned as if to say “Look what you’ve done…you’ve killed me!”. We offered her a treat in condolence, and she instantly popped up to take the treat with bright, happy eyes before resuming her immovable stance.

Halter training can be a frustrating exercise, and our experience with Sunshine and Daisy inspired us to seek an easier method. While halter training isn’t required for milking, it can make a real difference at critical moments. If you use the same milking routine every day, your milk cow will likely follow it without significant effort on your part. However, in various circumstances she can become confused and unsure of what to do, and you can minimize frustration by using a halter to guide her.

There are many different methods of halter training, and we have developed a technique that takes advantage of a cow’s natural desire for routine and for treats, thus making the process less stressful for everyone involved. Our method of halter training is a very gentle four-step process that takes only a few short weeks to complete, and is based upon establishing a simple routine that a calf or cow can quickly learn and eagerly repeat. Best of all, it involves very little pulling and pleading, and therefore results in much less frustration. While we normally perform halter training on calves, this method should work equally well on any Dexter of any age.


ROUTINE 1: ACCEPT THE HALTER:
We begin by training the calf to accept the halter. This is easy for us because our calves are calm and trusting as a result of being brushed and petted regularly. While the calf is lying down and resting, we show it the halter and slowly and gently put it on. We leave the halter on for only a few moments, then gently remove it while providing enthusiastic praise. We repeat this until the calf is fully conditioned to receiving the halter, even when standing up, without backing away.


ROUTINE 2: FOLLOW THE TREATS:
When the calf reaches the age of approximately four months old, we begin offering it a few alfalfa pellets. The calf may initially be reluctant to accept the pellets, and if so, we gently stuff a few into its mouth. The calf will quickly decide that it likes the alfalfa pellets and will accept them readily. We then teach the calf to follow us by giving it one pellet at a time as we slowly walk backward toward a routine destination where it can be given generous praise and a small pan of the pellets without interference from other members of the herd, such as into a barn, stall or corral. We repeat this at the same time and location every day until the calf reliably follows us along the same path to the same destination without effort or delay, which might occur after only a few days of easy training.


ROUTINE 3: WEAR THE HALTER TO THE TREATS:
Once the calf is trained to readily follow us to the bowl of treats, we begin the next day by putting the halter on the calf and giving it a few alfalfa pellets to let it know what we are doing. We then loosely hold the lead rope and slowly walk backwards giving it one pellet at a time, and the calf will follow us as usual to the destination while offering very little resistance. After the calf eats the treat, we lead it out by again slowly walking backwards while giving it one treat at a time. After leading it out, we generously give it praise and a few final pellets as we remove the halter. We repeat this at the same time and same place every day to train the calf that wearing the halter and walking on the lead are simply part of the routine of getting to the treat at our usual destination.

After the calf will readily follow us to the bowl of alfalfa pellets while wearing the halter, we begin tying the calf to a post at our usual destination while it eats the treat, and require it to stand calmly for a few minutes after it is finished. We gently brush the calf while it is tied, and provide plenty of praise. If the calf decides to pull or thrash, we step away and allow it to do so until it calms down, and then brush it again briefly. After a few minutes of being tied, and only after it is standing calmly, we untie the calf and lead it out as usual.


ROUTINE 4: VARY THE PATH:
At this point the calf will be excited when it sees the halter, it will readily accept the halter, and will immediately follow us along our usual path to the treat. It will stand calmly while tied, and will easily follow us out of the destination when we are finished. We then begin leading the calf along a slightly wider path to the treat, and increase the length of the path a small amount each day. The calf might initially resist taking a different path, but if we offer it an alfalfa pellet now and then, it will begin to willingly follow as we make our way to the bowl of treats inside our barn. We also begin following a routine path within our barn including a treat at our milking parlor, then again after stepping into our trailer, and again after being tied to a sturdy post before proceeding to the exit gate. From there we begin taking a routine short walk outside the barn to visit a few other close destinations, with a small treat at each momentary stop. Within a few days the calf will readily walk with us on any path to receive a treat, and therefore will be fully halter trained.

Sunshine and Daisy eventually learned to walk on the halter extremely well, and would readily follow us wherever we led without any resistance at all. Our initial experience with them may have been frustrating, but it inspired us to significantly improve our methods. We’ve learned through many experiences that our sweet Dexters greatly desire to follow routines, and can be easily trained if we do the same thing at the same time and in the same place every day. If there is a treat involved, our cows will require only a few days to learn the routine and will eagerly follow it when we desire. When halter training is learned as a routine, it becomes a gentle, easy and enjoyable process. Our method requires a small amount of time every day for a few weeks, but if you’re a milker, there will be days when you’ll be glad that you invested the effort. As well, there is a very special, very unique pleasure in the cherished tradition of leading your cow to the milking parlor where you work together as partners to fill your bucket with heavenly sweet cream. Savor the wonderful Blessing!

When we acquired our first Dexters, I dreamed of the perfect cow that would wait patiently in the pasture for me to come to her every morning. After a few quick squeezes while she stood perfectly still, she would fill my bucket with milk that was so creamy that the butter simply floated to the top. In truth, most of our Dexters are extremely eager to be invited into the milking parlor at any time, and they behave sweetly throughout the process. However, there are friendly, well-pampered cows of every breed that are not very cooperative. The two primary ways in which milk cows can be disagreeable are that they might kick, and they might “hold back”. Our experience has been that many cows will exhibit both of these behaviors to some extent.

KICKING:
Most cows will not allow other calves to steal their milk, and if your cow kicks at you while milking, she is simply treating you like a calf that is not her own. Most kicks during milking are relatively slow forward pawing of the back hoof, but some cows increase the speed, intensity and accuracy of their kicks as their agitation increases. We must remember that we are in an extremely vulnerable position while milking, and that a serious, lightning fast, full-force sideways kick can cause very serious injury.

HOLDING BACK:
When we first started milking, we were surprised to learn that a cow has the ability to hold back her milk by tightening muscles associated with her udder. Through research we’ve found that cows of all breeds and udder sizes will commonly hold back their milk in an effort to save it for their calf, and it can be frustrating to see an apparently full udder but not get much milk for our effort. It is impossible to predict whether a cow will hold back, and to what extent, until you give her a try.

THE FORCED APPROACH:
There are a few reported techniques for restraining a cow that kicks, although we’ve never used any of them and therefore can’t comment on their effectiveness. Some people tie a rope around her belly in a special way, and others put a metal brace over her that looks like a giant clamp. Both of these are intended to put pressure on muscles associated with kicking to discourage the behavior. Another technique is to place a hobble or restraint on one or both of her back legs. Lastly, a squeeze chute can be used to securely restrain the cow. The idea behind all of these is to force the cow to allow milking for a time in hopes that she will eventually learn to be cooperative and their use can then be discontinued. However, if your cow is unhappy with how you are treating her in the milking parlor on a daily basis, it is unlikely that your efforts will be pleasant, satisfactory or productive over time.

Another traditional approach is to put the cow in a milking stanchion that includes a head lock to restrain her backward movement, and boards between her and the milker to protect against sideways kicking. However, if the stanchion is not sized tightly, an unruly cow may thrash and milking may be difficult as the udder fails to remain stationary. As well, milking may be difficult and uncomfortable with protective boards in the way. Instead, a stanchion is most useful for discouraging a cooperative cow from shuffling during milking, and to raise her up a bit to make milking more convenient.

THE GENTLE APPROACH:
Milking is easiest, and most rewarding, at two special times during a cow’s lactation. The first is during the month immediately following the birth of her calf, and the second is immediately following the separation of her calf for weaning. During these times her udder will be very full and she will desire relief from the pressure, which will make her less likely to kick and more likely to let her milk down. In preparation, you should have trained your new milk cow to your milking routine a few weeks in advance, and she should therefore be eager to participate and receive your treat, your attention, and your enthusiastic praise.

Begin milking her four days after her calf is born, or the same day that you separate her calf for weaning. If you milk her twice each day, the training will advance more quickly. You may find that she is significantly more cooperative at weaning with each passing day as she realizes that her calf is gone. If she kicks during milking, be persistent and try again the next day as you remain patiently diligent in your training of her. Use the same simple milking routine every time so that she will be familiar with the process. Every time she kicks, firmly and sternly say “no”, and nothing else, and then immediately resume your efforts. Be consistent with this so that she can quickly learn and understand. Despite your frustration, you must remember to always treat her with kindness and respect, even if she doesn’t deserve it, if you desire to maintain her trust. As well, be sure to provide enthusiastic praise when she gives.

One technique that we’ve had success with is to place an empty plastic bucket under her while we milk into a small 32oz stainless steel Frothing Pitcher. The small pitcher can be very quickly withdrawn when she kicks, and is less vulnerable when held up close to her udder. By doing this we can therefore avoid losing any milk that we’ve gotten thus far. If she kicks, she will noisily impact the empty plastic bucket, and perhaps put her hoof into it, therefore discouraging her from doing it again. Every time she kicks, put the plastic bucket back in place before continuing.

If she refuses to stop kicking, or refuses to let her milk down after a full week of daily effort, take a break for a week to give her time to realize that she will not get her treat, attention and praise if she refuses to participate, and then patiently try again throughout the following week. If kicking or holding back continues beyond her first month, we have found that they will usually be reduced as she becomes less protective later in the lactation, and especially after weaning. Even if your efforts with her are not entirely successful, the training that she receives will likely lead to greater success during her next lactation as her willingness, trust, anticipation, and production increase.

Cows are often nervous about the safety of their new born calf, and will not be comfortable being separated from it long enough to complete the milking effort. We have found that she will be less nervous and more willing to participate if we keep her calf close by, or at least within sight. If a cow stubbornly continues to hold back, we can usually get milk if we let her calf milk one side of her while we milk the other. The calf’s exuberance and head bumping will usually cause her to relax and let her milk down. This method doesn’t always work, however, because a cow has the amazing ability to control each quarter of her udder individually, thus allowing a calf to milk on one quarter while holding back on the quarter we are trying to milk. We have also experienced cows that allow us to milk for a while, but hold back at the end to reserve the last of her milk (the “hindmilk”) for her calf. Work diligently to make her time in the milking parlor so enjoyable that she really does wait eagerly for you every morning, and one day you just might smile and laugh as your milking dreams come true!
 

Our Dexter girls give us the most amazing milk, unlike any we’ve ever had from a grocery or a local dairy. Dexter milk is significantly more flavorful and satisfying, having a much higher percentage of cream that provides great pleasure. However, not every Dexter girl will be a willing milk cow. Before ever attempting to milk your sweet cow, you need to cultivate her trust by visiting her frequently, interacting with her on a daily basis, and providing her with smiles, brushing and praise. Earning her complete trust is the first step towards getting her to willingly, and perhaps eagerly, participate in milking every day. You will also find it very helpful if you train her to your milking routine two weeks in advance, and especially if you make milking time enjoyable for her. We hope that you don’t have a problem cow, but if you do, patience, persistence and training may eventually earn you a bucket full of creamy white gold. Savor the delicious Blessing!
 

It is the bright, brisk morning of a timeless late-winter day. The biting cold and gray skies of the past three months are beginning to fade into memory, while the arrival of the full warmth and blessings of springtime remain eagerly anticipated. I look forward with excitement to the coming of sweet green grass and joyful Dexter calves playing in the crisp morning air upon open, rolling pastures. I dream of tall trees bursting with new leaves that twist and wave in the fresh breezes, and of grand old oaks lining the pastures to provide shade for long, lazy afternoon naps for our herd. Our garden will soon add to the lushness as tomatoes will grow tall, peppers will bloom, and melon sprouts will uncurl from the soil as they embark upon their journey to bring summer sweetness to our ranch. Bluebirds already perch upon our garden posts, and songbirds sing their greetings to me with a twitter of joy that infuses my day with purpose and enthusiasm. The sun shines brightly from one horizon to the other, and the morning is so peaceful that I can hear the sunrise sparkling upon the dew.

As I sit upon the soft green grass under the shade of the Petting Tree, I’m overwhelmed by four tiny Dexter calves clamoring for my affections. Clover, who is the oldest, stands close with her chin stretched high to show me that she wants her neck brushed. Huckleberry can’t contain his jealousy and steps in and raises his neck at my other side, and then licks the rim of my hat in a successful attempt to wrest my attention from Clover. Hollyberry, not to be outdone, steps even closer as she pushes in front of Clover. Using a trick that she learned from her mother, she then reaches up and pulls my hat off and tosses it aside in a successful effort to elicit my praise. At the same time, adorable little Bowie pushes under my other arm to stand immediately in front of me where he gains the premium position, lifts his head high, and licks my face. My morning is filled with smiles, and suddenly three more little tongues are licking my face as I drown in laughter.

The calves dash off, leaping and kicking up their heals as they delight in their freedom. Bowie stops abruptly and turns towards the other three, stretching out his neck and giving them a playful calf moo. The playful calf moo is rare, sweet and special, more like the guttural bleating of a lamb than the foghorn of a calling mama cow. Bowie leaps and hops in a circle, shakes his head at his friends as he gives another playful calf moo, and suddenly dashes off in an attempt to get the others to chase. Bowie’s antics bring even more smiles, and I encourage him on his way with joyful cheering and laughter.

Our milk cow Maribelle delivered us the gift of Bowie on a crisp morning in early March as the murmur of spring cheered the forest along the secluded banks of our scenic dry creek. Tropical palmettos dotted the forest with bright green fans amidst the peaceful beauty of fallen leaves and berry-laden hollies that spoke of the recent season of joy and celebration. High along the banks stood wizened oaks that towered above the undergrowth as they raised their great arms toward the sky in praise and thankfulness for the wonder of the new life freshly arrived. Here and there the weathered elbows of limestone shelves poked through the soil and lined the creek bed that meandered towards drops and hollows that would soon transform into enchanting waterfalls and refreshing pools when the rains of spring arrived. We found tiny Bowie overlooking the idyllic scene as he lay nestled among the leaves with Maribelle dreamily looking on with motherly eyes. As we approached, Maribelle looked at us approvingly as we slowly knelt to tenderly greet her new little boy with welcoming smiles and gentle praise.

I sit upon the soft green grass that fills our front pasture where our peaceful Dexters graze under dusky skies at the end of a golden day. Our milk cow Maribelle stands nearby, watching her little boy playfully dashing back and forth. Once again, Bowie joyfully kicks up his heals as he dances in circles while making his playful calf moo. As I laugh at his antics, I rise and go to Maribelle and gently caress her neck as I thank her for all that she has done for us. As I admire her beauty, I’m reminded how much she has become a part of our life, and when you get a sweet Dexter milking girl of your own, you’ll come to appreciate this as well. She will be there in the tall glass of milk that you enjoy with a bowl of ripe berries at the start of a new day. She’ll be there in the birthday cakes cheerfully decorated with the richness of buttercream frosting. She’ll be there in the milkshake that accompanies barbeque at the picnic table on your back porch. She’ll be there in the strawberry sundae that celebrates a sultry mid-summer’s eve. She’ll be there in the dollop of whipped cream atop an eagerly anticipated slice of pumpkin pie at the culmination of your late-autumn Thanksgiving celebration, and she will be there in the hot chocolate that melts away the cold on a snowy Christmas eve. Our Dexters are there at so many of the best moments throughout our year, and we are so very thankful for the smiles and laughter they bring to all of them.

As I wondered at the great blessing of Maribelle there in the pasture, Bowie continued his efforts to get his mama to play with him. Bowie dashed in circles around us with his tail held high like a flag of independence, and then raced off in the direction of his other little Dexter friends as he let out a final playful calf moo. I cheered him on as he raced by, kicking his heels up high to wave goodbye as he ran even faster. I laughed exuberantly as we stood there and watched him go, and suddenly Maribelle -- a fully grown milk cow -- raced off after him, kicking up her heels as well, and then let out a playful calf moo of her own to share with me the joy of the heifer that she will always be in her heart.

I sit upon the soft green grass with precious little Bowie under the blue skies of a hopeful bright morning, brushing him gently as he looks into my eyes…a look of love and trust and thankfulness. I breathe deeply of the moment, and my eyes are opened wide to the wonder of the world around me. I feel energized by the simple warmth of the sun, and marvel at this fragile little life as we rest here amidst the amazing miracle of a pasture full of wildflowers. Bowie’s eyes sparkle in delight at the pleasure of my attention, and he stretches out, flips his tail, and exhales the tensity of the day. As I brush his silky fur and softly sing to him of his beauty, he closes his eyes and sleepily nods his head as his cares drift away like the scents of the blossoms that color my morning and remind me of the sublime pleasures to be found in the simplicity of the pasture. Bowie dreams of the day when an enthusiastic family will greet him with open arms and welcoming smiles, providing a forever home with green grass, clear water, cheerful children, loving hugs and adorable heifers. Bowie dreams of the awe-inspiring moment of sunrise upon a fresh spring morning, the pleasure of soft grasses under shady oaks on a hot summer afternoon, the ease of cool breezes caressing lush pastures on lazy autumn evenings, and the comfort of soft hay and friends gathered closely together in a warm barn on a starry winter’s night.

As we sit together upon the soft green grass, little Bowie once again delivers a message of life, from his heart to mine, through which I feel the eb and flow of the Love that feeds my soul and brings clarity to my days. I contemplate the delight of a playful calf moo, the joy of my milk cow Maribelle kicking up her heals, and the peace of her boy Bowie trustingly dreaming beside me, and I can’t help but smile and laugh at the unbelievable gifts that we have been given. Savor the wonder and grace of the truly amazing Blessing of it all!

How much milk will I get from my Dexter? This question is difficult to answer because every Dexter girl is different. So many complexities will affect her production, including her age, stress level, nutrition, health, attitude, genetics, training, the weather, and how far along she is in her lactation. The only way to know how much she will produce is to train her well, feed her generously, maintain her health, provide her with good facilities, reduce her stress, care for her with love, and consistently milk her for several years.

SETTING REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS
Perceptions regarding dairy cattle are driven by media images of large cows with enormous udders. The industrial dairy breeds have been developed over a long period of time to meet the needs of large-scale producers who require tall cows to accommodate automated milking and a large volume of milk per cow to increase efficiency and reduce costs. Industrial dairy breeds are characterized by having the unique ability to produce more milk than their calves can consume, which can be as much as five gallons or more every day. The daily milking routine and associated effort required to process that much milk may be intense, and it must be performed twice every day without fail. Industrial dairy breeds also require a significantly greater amount of nutrition to power their extreme milk production. If we compare the typical size of a Dexter’s udder to that of an industrial dairy breed, it is readily apparent that Dexters have not gone through the same genetic selection regarding udder size. We consider this a good thing, as few of us could possibly consume, or make use of, that much milk on a daily basis.

VARIABLES
Many factors influence milk production throughout a cow’s lactation, and at any given time her production may vary significantly. Understanding these factors will help to establish realistic expectations, and in some cases will provide the opportunity to take measures to increase her production.

A heifer’s udder genetics will fundamentally affect her potential as a milk cow, and those genetics are inherited from both her mother and her sire. When purchasing a Dexter heifer as a future milk cow, it is important to obtain good photos of her mother’s udder while she is full of milk, as well as good photos of her paternal grandmother’s udder also in milk. The best udder has good attachment all around, with teats evenly spaced and of sufficient length to fit in your hand, and all hanging at the same level.

A heifer’s personality also affects the amount of milk she might give. It can be beneficial to obtain a heifer from a cow that has been actively milked while the heifer was raised, as she will therefore be genetically and socially predisposed to milking. It would also be valuable to meet the heifer’s mother and sire first-hand to gauge their friendliness and demeanor, because the heifer will most likely exhibit attributes of their personalities. A heifer that is purchased in hopes of future milking should be calm, gentle, trusting and sweet, because these traits help to reduce stress. To further reduce stress, she should also be well trained. A cow that is calm and free from stress will be more likely to let her milk down.

A cow’s age, nutrition and health also affect her production. A first-calf heifer may provide a lesser quantity of milk, but her production will likely increase on a yearly basis until she is five or six years old. She should have unlimited access to high-quality green grass or hay, and should be in excellent physical condition. She should also be provided a generous treat that is rich in nutrition to keep her busy while she is milked each day. If her nutrition is insufficient to support her needs, her milk production will drop and her body will begin using fat and muscle to produce milk.

Finally, her milk production is affected by how far along she is in her lactation. Milk production during the first month is typically high due to her calf’s tiny size and limited needs. As the calf grows, it begins to consume more of her production, which peaks at four or five months into her lactation. As her calf then begins to transition to grazing, her production begins to gradually decline. At the time that her calf is removed for weaning, she must be thoroughly milked every day to maintain her lactation.

MILKING STRATEGIES
A healthy Dexter calf will consume all of its mother’s milk if allowed to, which leaves little for us. After the first month, if we simply walk up with a bucket to get whatever is available from one of our cows at our convenience, we will only get the milk that has been produced since the last time the calf nursed. This strategy will usually yield disappointing results. A calf will nurse its mother often, and if it did so an hour prior to our attempt, we may only get a cup or less.

In an effort to obtain the highest yield, many milkers will house the mother and calf in safe, adjacent, sheltered pens at night, and then milk the cow very early in the morning before allowing the two to spend the day together. This method seeks to maximize the amount that can be obtained from a single milking by taking advantage of the longest possible duration of uninterrupted milk production while still sharing with the calf. When using this method, some people choose to milk only three of her quarters, thus leaving the fourth quarter for the calf’s breakfast. If the cow is a good producer, she may also be milked again late in the day, although the quantity obtained at that time will likely be reduced.

If separating the cow and calf at night isn’t feasible, milking can be performed after the calf has completed its morning nap. We have found that a Dexter calf will typically empty the cow’s udder shortly after waking in the morning, and then it will follow its mother around the pasture for a few hours while she grazes. The herd will then typically nap for an hour or two, after which the calf will again desire milk. If we learn the timing of this behavior, we can take advantage of these few uninterrupted hours of the cow’s production by milking her before the calf has the opportunity to empty her after it reawakens. The cow may be similarly milked again late in the day following the calf’s afternoon nap. Regardless of whether or not the calf is separated at night, the greatest quantity of milk will be obtained during the first month after the calf is born, and subsequently during the months immediately after the calf is weaned.
 

Every cow produces a different amount of milk depending upon a wide variety of factors, and therefore it is impossible to predict how much you will eventually get from your heifer. Our needs are less than many families, and we don’t separate our calves at night, and therefore we’re delighted when we get a gallon from once-a-day milking while sharing with the calf during the first month, and then when we resume milking twice-a-day after her calf is weaned at six months. Some Dexters might produce more, and if you’ve got such a girl, enjoy the bounty! Of course, it is also possible that you might get no milk at all if she refuses to let her milk down. We predict that your sweet girl’s peak production will be somewhere in the middle of the extremes, and throughout the duration of her lactation there will be days when you get more, and days when you get less.

Regardless of how much milk you actually receive, it is most important that you love and value your Dexter girl for all that she is and all that she provides for your living and lifestyle. If she isn’t cooperative in the milking parlor, or if she doesn’t give as much milk as you had initially hoped, be understanding of the situation and carefully review her current circumstances, and your milking technique, to determine which variables are impacting her production. Evaluate her daily care, age, nutrition, milking routine, stress level, and other factors that might be affecting her. Also consider the current needs of her calf and how its milking activities affect your efforts.

We stumbled through our first attempts at milking, and because we received very little milk for those efforts, we were discouraged. However, kindness and determination with our Dexters has eventually paid off. Through persistence we’ve learned from our mistakes, and our sweet herd now provides us with the most amazing milk and cream. If you’ve never tasted it, you’ve got a wonderful treat waiting for you out there in your pasture -- all from the sweet little Dexter cow that you know and hug. Delight in the cream, and Savor the Blessing!