Milking once a day

[pfieber]

Hi

I have a Jersey Cow that we have been milking twice a day since we weaned the calf two months ago, due to a family emergency I am no longer going to be able to milk twice a day. First, can I go down to once a day now that I have been at twice a day for a couple of months? Second, how would I go about weaning her down to get to once a day?

Paul

 

[Farmer Kitty]

It's really going to depend on how much milk she is giving. If you haven't requested a lot of her and she's not giving much milk then you should be able to just go once a day. If she's milking heavy then your going to have more issues. I would not advice milking a heavy milker once a day. Now, having said that, with an emergency, I would cut back her protein intake (take the grain away, feed poor quality hay, etc.) and take less milk from her with each milking. The problem you are going to have to watch closely for is mastitis.

 

[Rence]

My Jersey is giving less than two gallons a day, and I milk her once a day right now. When she gives more than two gallons, I do it twice a day.

 

[Imissmygirls]

IF she is milking too much for once a day, you can stretch your milking times. Once the initial heavy milking period is over, you can adjust her schedule to yours-- like 8 am and 10 pm, 8 am and 4 pm, etc. consistancy is much appreciated by the cow, but the interval can be manipulated to your schedule ONCE she is well past her peak. Don't let the udder get overfull or you are inviting trouble.

 

[Yates Dairy]

If she isnt giving that much milk i would say its ok. Try not giving her as much food to make her make less milk. (pretty much what Farmer Kitty just said )