what to look for when buying a cow

[Valley Ranch]

looking to purchase a couple of cows or a cow and bull.
We have alot of experience with goats and some with horses but none with cows.
So when looking at a beast what should we be looking for to know if they are in good health?
Are there specific things to look for in cows and bulls?
these would be milk cows.
Thanks

 

[WildRoseBeef]

Dairy cow should be looking alert, eyes bright, ears up, not looking lethargic or uninterested in you. Should be eating and pooping normally ("normal" means not really hard and not really runny, but somewhere in between--best poop from a cow is the "pie" quality poop), no snotty nose or coughing or raspy breathing, etc.

How many cows you get depends on how much space/$$/feed you can make available. A bull is worth half the herd and is best for if you have at least five or ten cows, not one. Having a bull around for breeding one cow only is asking for trouble, because he's extra to feed, care for, and look after, especially if he decides to tear down your fence and go after a neighbor's cows. Dairy bulls tend to be the worse as far as handling is concerned. AI is best route to go for to avoid the extra expenses and money spent caring for a bull.

What breed are you interested in getting? How much milk are you wanting to use or sell? Remember the commercial dairy breeds--Holstein and Jersey mostly--produce A LOT of milk, often a lot more than what a few people need. Unless you have a huge family and a lot of mouths to feed that like to drink a lot or consume a lot of dairy products, then you probably want either a dual-purpose or smaller-producing dairy breed, or just an average dairy cow along with a few calves to put on her to help reduce the amount of milk you get from her every day. Smaller-producing breeds are breeds like Dexter or Red Poll or Ayrshire or Guernsey, which ever are available in your area.

 

[Bossroo]

Listen carefully to Wild as he knows what he is talking about ! Also, since you are not experienced with cattle and especially with dairy BULLS ... I would definitely NOT even consider owning a dairy bull. They are a real danger to everyone's life and limb as well as property. Unless, of course, if one is interested in a thrill a minute, has their life insurance all paid up and has one's attorney draw up one's last will and testament.

 

[Valley Ranch]

thanks for the advice. We are looking at buying mini jerseys.

 

[Mini]

thanks for the advice. We are looking at buying mini jerseys.

I also am looking to buy mini jerseys. Do you know of any place we could get some in Canada? Or who i should talk to about them??
Thanks!

 

[WyoLiving]

Did you get your mini jersey's yet?