Butter

[BlackWatchLady]

Heifers should not be bred before 14 months, so they calve when they're approx 2

Jerseys have a terrific feed conversion rate and such yummy creamy milk!

But I gotta say.. the goaties shine in personality compared to some cows

Back in 97, my in law's next door neighbor's stepson, (how is that for a lead in, lol) got a Holstein heifer for a 4H project...he chose late and he chose an older heifer. She was not trained in the least to lead...and this kid was a city kid until his mom married the neighbor. He was scared of her..lol..
She was kept in my in laws side paddock, and right away she caused trouble... she ended up breaking through the fence, trying to get away from my in-laws horses, who were trained to work cattle, lol...they would stand at the end of the paddock and stare..wanting to work the cow...lol...my FIL had to saddle up and rope her and drag her back to the paddock...everyone was relieved when that cow freshened and sold at the fair. (with the exception of the horses!) Kid did not do another cow...

 

[Our7Wonders]

A good friend of mine just bought a little dexter - absolutely LOVES the milk and the butter she's been making. She sold her entire little herd of goats after the cow freshened. She said she's so easy to handle and about the same size as her nubian buck was.

If I had the space I would LOVE to have me a mini cow! I'd miss my goats but I'd so love the cream and the butter!

 

[Mossy Stone Farm]

I have made butter a few times with my Nubains, i don't get any where near a lb, but i do get enough for toast and to use on veggies.
We skim our cream off after letting it set a few days, The skimed milk them gose to the piggies, or chickens a win win for us....

We are in the procces of getting a Dexter to add to the herd, i'll always keep my goats....

 

[Leta]

A Dexter cow the size of a Nubian buck? Wha??

Is this like mini Dex? Gosh, it sounds cute.

WHY ARE MINI COWS SO FRIGGIN EXPENSIVE?!

 

[Our7Wonders]

I personally haven't seen her - she just told me she was about the size of Joey, which was the nubian buck that she had. He's also the sire of my 5 nubian babies that were born here this year. I have seen him - but I've never been near any other full grown bucks to know if he was bigger than average. Are dexters not a small breed? I just assumed they were.

 

[rascal]

Mini cows instead of mini goats???? UGH!!! My mom has both (pets/ag only) and the goats are better. Mini hereford bull and a few dexter cows... Friendliest one is the bull! Either way be sure to spend the $$ on one that is TAME!!! Last thing you need is to fight with a 400# little horned demon!

 

[BlackWatchLady]

A Dexter cow the size of a Nubian buck? Wha??

Is this like mini Dex? Gosh, it sounds cute.

WHY ARE MINI COWS SO FRIGGIN EXPENSIVE?!

Because they are the "accessory" of the day...kinda like those tiny dogs were/are in Hollywood...

 

[Snowhunter]

Back in 97, my in law's next door neighbor's stepson, (how is that for a lead in, lol) got a Holstein heifer for a 4H project...he chose late and he chose an older heifer. She was not trained in the least to lead...and this kid was a city kid until his mom married the neighbor. He was scared of her..lol..
She was kept in my in laws side paddock, and right away she caused trouble... she ended up breaking through the fence, trying to get away from my in-laws horses, who were trained to work cattle, lol...they would stand at the end of the paddock and stare..wanting to work the cow...lol...my FIL had to saddle up and rope her and drag her back to the paddock...everyone was relieved when that cow freshened and sold at the fair. (with the exception of the horses!) Kid did not do another cow...

I'm so glad all our beefers come to a ruffled feed sack or a blue coffee can, even if they've managed to escape

I gotta say, I've not tried making butter from goats milk, but the sweet cream and cultured butter from my Jerseys cream is to DIE for delicious. Brought some whole milk to a fellow farmer friend, who only has milk goats, and she said she was gonna have that butter eatin by the end of the week

 

[Leta]

A Dexter cow the size of a Nubian buck? Wha??

Is this like mini Dex? Gosh, it sounds cute.

WHY ARE MINI COWS SO FRIGGIN EXPENSIVE?!

Because they are the "accessory" of the day...kinda like those tiny dogs were/are in Hollywood...

Hmm... If this is the case, then is there hope that they will come down in price when the fad passes?

I've never seen nor heard of that small of a Dexter before now. The only Dexters I've encountered were about the size of a Jersey, maybe a bit smaller. I am about the furthest thing from a cattle expert, though, so take my experience with a grain of salt.

 

[nmred]

I've just got to chime in here with my experiences...:/ I, also, wanted goats for the milk and planned on making our own butter. Even bought a separator! The stupid thing has NEVER worked for us. We have tried and tried. Called in for help and advice from the distributor, fought with the @*#@* thing, and finally, gave up. The butter is just not worth the frustration. I'm planning on selling it (anyone interested?) online. Maybe someone else will know how to use it. Meanwhile, if we only used one pound a week ($3 or under where we live), I'd still get the goats over a cow. The milk, cheese, yogurt and kefir make it more than worthwhile. Besides the original cost of a cow (much higher than a goat like you said) you also need to consider the cost of feed and upkeep. Cows eat A LOT more than a goat. You could buy a lot of butter for the difference in price.