Some dairy farmers have 'nurse' cows, who are semi-retired dairy cows which
for different reasons, ( high cell count, only three quarters working,
etc. ) provide milk for a batch of calves, 3 or 4, for up to 3 months.
Calves always grow best with a cow, as opposed to being bucket fed. I have
also heard of some farmers letting their calves run with the dairy herd in
the fields, aand then having their own space to go to when the herd gets
milked. Other than that, I am afraid that most dairy farms BD or otherwise,
take the calves away from the cow between 4 and 21 days. It can vary with
the cow, some will call for their calves for days, others will not bat an
eyelid.
Our calves get fed fresh, raw, blood temp. milk twice a day for three
months, about 4 litres/day.
Cheers, Gideon.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Deborah Byron" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Thursday, May 30, 2002 3:33 PM
Subject: Cows
> I've often been impressed with the reverence I've heard expressed on
> this list for the cow and the spiritual qualities cows bring to the
> farm. So I just have to ask a question that puzzles me--is taking 3 day
> old calves away from their mothers the norm even among BD farmers? To
> someone unfamilial with cow management, it sounds way to early to be
> good for either mother or calf.
>
> Warm regards,
> Deborah
>
