Replacing Inflations

Have you wondered how to change out inflations and when to change them? When and Why Change: Sometimes I try to be stingy and use an inflation for as long as possible. But, when I do change the inflations, I realize how soft and easy to twist the old inflations are compared to the new. …

Advertisement

Homemade Grain Recipe for Your Dairy Cow

Firstly, apologies for the weird email sent out earlier. The goblins of technology decided that the Classic Editor for WordPress was not good enough for their modern tastes and they fried my previous post, which you can view properly here: https://spiritedrose.wordpress.com/2022/12/08/blood-pregnancy-testing-how-to/ Now onto the current info, about grain: We try not to feed much grain, …

Blood Pregnancy Testing – How To

We talk about the different pregnancy testing methods in our book, but in summary, the most accurate test looks for "Pregnancy-Specific Protein B" and that test is available as a blood test. The blood test is the most accurate pregnancy test for cattle and is over 99% accurate and applicable for both heifers and cows. …

VIDEO: Cleaning a Surge Milking Machine

Here's a short video on how I clean our milking machine, using a GoPro.   https://youtu.be/oRbv08Osz6o   Unfortunately the end of the video cut off (I am so not a "pro" - plus, uploading the video to YouTube took over 24 hours! A true testament to being a stereotypical farmer and ruralite!), so here's a …

Simply delicious – Feta Cheese

I first learned how to make Feta cheese at the WSU Cheesemaking Shortcourse that I obtained a scholarship to attend in 2009. Feta is an interesting and unique cheese to make, yet simple enough for beginners to make at home using household supplies and just a few ingredients. Feta production starts by gently warming milk …

Extra creamy – Cream Cheese

I wish I had tried making cream cheese years ago - it's so easy to make and really delicious! INGREDIENTS: 2 cups whole milk 2 cups heavy whipping cream 2 Tbsp. cultured buttermilk (or 1/8 tsp. Flora Danica culture) 1 drop liquid rennet in ¼ cup cool water ¼ tsp. sea salt Warm the milk …

Milk House Updates

Over the last couple years, we've been upgrading our milk house facilities. We went from one plastic utility tub to this great stainless sink configuration, all pretty much second-hand equipment that we refurbished. Stainless steel sink - purchased for $75 off Craigslist, came with multiple faucets. Dad added legs and plumbing, dad and Jay attached …

Getting Winter Butter to Churn in a Cold Climate

Those that have been around me these past months may have heard about my frustration with getting butter to churn this year. What's different? The weather - Due to a drought, we had to feed hay all summer to our cows. That changes the composition of the butterfat. Usually, I make easy butter all summer …

Laundry Soap that’ll Clean Farm Clothes

A few years ago, I switched from purchasing laundry soap to making my own. The price of soap kept increasing and by making my own, I save a small fortune each year!Jay grew up using Kirk's Castile Soap on the farm, washing cows for shows. I purchased him a box of soap (48 bars) as …

Increasing Milk Production

While Maintaining Health in a Fresh Cow Briar Rose was due to calve soon... And we wanted her to milk more than she did in her first lactation, where she peaked at 3 gallons per day. Apparently our goal of breeding moderately producing cows is successful... Now we need to head back the other direction …