Once upon a time there was a farm girl. She loved cows. Their smell. Their fuzzy necks. Their wet, black noses. Their ability to provide her family with gallons and gallons of delicious, raw milk. And the love story goes on and on. Insert the family cow.
By the way, that farm girl is me. I love cows. Hence the reason we just arrived back from a solid two-days of driving to pick up an extra special heifer from a friend of mine.
Proof of said driving:
It wasn’t an easy decision for me to get another cow after we lost Sal this past summer. In fact, to be completely honest, I was thankful to not be hovered over a milk bucket at 5:00 am, dry heaving. I found out I was pregnant the same week that we lost Sal and as badly as I wanted to rashly go out and find the nearest cow I could on Craigslist that was in milk, my much wiser half advised against it. Honey. You’re pregnant. Take a rest.
And he was right. There. I said it. (Ah, who am I kidding, Stuart is always right…).
Providentially, we have enjoyed a rest from daily milking while I grow our fourth child. And as horrible as it was to lose Sal, I’m also thankful for the timing of it all. The farm move this winter has been horrendous, and to think we’d have been milking on top of that is almost unbearable. Even this homesteader has her limits, y’all.
That being said…
We’re now only 8ish weeks away from meeting the newest Elliott. And finally, yes finally!, the last load has been brought from the old farm to the new farm. Life, slowly but surely, is settling in.
It was time to crown a new queen of the farm.
The New Family Cow
I’ve been desperately missing the companionship that comes from a dairy cow. And I knew that this time, I’d want to do it a bit differently. When we purchased Sal a few years ago, we showed up at our house a few hours before she needed to have her afternoon milking. Not exactly a recipe for success, especially since neither of us had ever milked a cow before. Ahem. There was blood and sweat dripping after that milking session – but don’t worry, it was all mine.
This time, we wanted to move a bit slower and spend some time bonding and developing a relationship with our new cow before we’d be saddled up under her furry flank squeezing that delicious nectar into the pail.
We wanted her to know us. We wanted to know her. And we also wanted the experience of teaching a heifer how to be milked. Maybe we’re gluttons for punishment? But so it goes. That was our choice.
I’ve always had my homesteading eye on my friend Ashley’s Jersey girls who make their home at Red Fox Farm in Livingston, Montana. Ashley has been my mentor for all things cow since Kula (remember Kula?) and I completely trust her cow skillz and judgement. The poor girl has received more photographs of my cow’s girly parts and ligaments than I’m sure she cares to. So when Sal died, she was one of the very first to reach out and offer her advice, encouragement, and condolences.
A few weeks later, we approached Ashley about a new heifer. (Heifer is the term for a young, female cow that has not had a calf yet, by the way). She had the perfect one in mind for us – a new little calf named Cecelia who was born in July to a wonderful cow of theirs. She wouldn’t be ready for us to pick up for quite awhile, as she’d nurse from her Mama for many months. I was still deep in mourning for Sal, so I was just fine with that.
Knowing Cecelia was there… and that she’d be ours when the time was right… brought me a spark of joy. It gave me something to work towards, to save up for, and to look forward to. Though the farm hasn’t been bovine free since Sal’s passing, knowing Lyle was destined for the freezer has made our relationship with him slightly different than the relationship that comes with a dairy cow. You know. Because we’re going to eat him.
Cecelia, I’m not going to eat you. Hence the relationship difference.
And so the love story goes, when Cecelia was weaned and ready for us to pick her up, we loaded 3 hoodrats into the Suburban, borrowed a trailer from our friend Joel, and hit the road Jack.
By the way, while in the car, I started singing “Hit the road, Jack!” and then Owen started to weep and scream and tell me that his name wasn’t Jack, it was Owen, and that song hurt his feelings. So that’s something.
10 hours, multiple potty stops, a few espressos, and lots of whining later, we found ourselves at Ashley’s doorstep. Tired. Road weary. Wanting to sell our children to the highest bidder.
But her and Shannon lovingly opened their doors, fed us a fantastic pork chili verde, handed Stuart a local Montana beer, and let us sit around their table asking them questions about cows, farming, marketing pastured meats, and their milking procedures. Also, let’s not forget the fact that our children were able to run off with their children and play, play, PLAY! Win.
Less than 12 hours later, we were back on the road with Cecelia in tow. We’ve yet to establish a relationship with her – and since she’s at that quirky, spunky adolescent stage, I’m expecting it to take some time.
Love me, Cecelia! Love me! You're our new family cow! Is it bad that I want to bring her inside and make her my house pet? I could totally do that. The kids would love it.
We won’t plan on breeding Cecelia until Fall. This means she’d have her first calf the following Summer, at about 24 months of age. This means we’re looking at another year+ of no milking, but for now, that’s okay. After all, newest baby Elliott will require plenty of milking from me during that time.
… and ya know, there are still a few acres of pastures to build, a milking parlor to put up, and the like. Small details.
But the fact of the matter is, we don’t homestead to save money. We don’t homestead because it’s easy. We homestead because we enjoy it and we enjoy the many benefits it brings to our lives. The relationships that I get to enjoy with my animals is somethin’ special, man. And me and Cece girl – well, here’s to hoping for many, many, many years of friendship.
Side note: The relationship is already beneficial! Poo collection has begun for the new garden and compost pile. Ain’t no poo like a cow’s poo, baby. And you can quote me on that.
Welcome to The Elliott Homestead, Cece! You have no idea the circus you just arrived at…
I am so excited for you to have a milk cow again. I cried with you when Sal died. I have been following you since you had Kula, and I could tell how much you loved Sal from your posts and pictures. You are my homesteading inspiration and you have been for years! Thank you, Shaye, for all you do and for all you teach us!
Yes, I remember Kula. You have gone through many losses and tearful times with all of your farm animals, most recently with your sweet dog. We have been there too. It’s all part of living life isn’t it. I love your honesty. Your blog posts touch my heart over and over. Best wishes with Cecelia (my mother’s middle name btw.)
I also have been bitten by the dairy cow love bug. My baby girl Josey is with her boyfriend now hoping for a baby in late fall. I just purchased a new more “experienced” girl last week named Ruby. She doesn’t love me yet, but I’m hoping for it to come soon. My hubby is milking her for the time being until she decides to.
Congratulations to the family and welcome Cece! Thanks for sharing the experience. I have to say you look radiant in that picture. I don’t know if is the new baby, the new cow or the posibility of stretching your legs after that long trip, but you are the image of happines girl. Hope to read a lot about that beautiful heifer (now I know what that means :D)
Love, Ana
Congrats on the new addition!! So exciting 🙂
Welcome to the blog Cece!! I am sure she will be a fantastic addition to your menagerie….lol
As always, reading your blog allows me to share in your adventure and to feel like I am along for the journey. God bless and thank you.
Congratulations! I’m jumping up and down for you! I milk goats (but used to milk Jersey cows on different small organic dairies), and I tell ya, I’m in love with the moooh-mooohs. My heart has belonged to them ever since growing up in Southern Germany, where cows graze in alpine pastures, with huge cow bells clanking around their necks. I love their huge, liquid eyes, wet noses, fuzzy fur, smell, and yes, their shit.
Congratulations on Cecelia. She’s beautiful. My husband and I have been talking about getting a milk cow. We are slowly getting involved with homesteading. I love you blog. What are you doing for milk now?
Can I ask about your boots? I’ve been looking for a good pair of rubber type boots for my farm. I’m blowing out of the cheap rubber boots every month or so. I would love to find a pair that I can keep around for longer. I love your blog! Yay for the new heifer! 🙂
Of course I remember Kula. You got us hooked. One jersey isn’t enough for our large family, so we milk 2! We have a 3rd who will be bred soon, and have our own bulls so we will space pregnancies in the future. SO, as God as my witness, we will never go milkless again!!!! (Hopefully).
One of ours just had an abscess on the upper part of back udder. After $65 to the vet did no good, using my friends oil of oregano, mint, activated charcoal and coconut mixture is what is healing her up. It’s a pretty gross thing though!
Hi Shaye,
First time commenting but I’ve followed it blog and YouTube channel for while now. Love it! I thought after Sal crossed the Rainbow Bridge, that y’all had decided to keep Lyle for breeding purposes and not eat him. Maybe I missed the post where y’all had changed it mind about that.
Cece has a sweet and pretty face! It will be fun watching your relationship grow and her become grown 🙂
I just was blog roaming (love blogs like these) and this caught my eye. Why? Cecelia is my 2 year old daughter’s name!! Same spelling too! Lol! Congratulations on your new milk cow. I am hoping to have a cow of my own some day.
Adorable cow! You’re blog has made me want a cow. Morning milkings don’t appeal to me though, not being a morning person, so no cow is to be found on our farm. Trees are more my style. Bit less of a work load and will survive beyond me. That and I do love doing things no one believes possible and trees are not believed possible here. Anyway, I get off track. You may just make me want to get a cow again.
Love this post. It’s full of your personality, aaaand I can feel your excitement coming through. I am happy for you!
Also, your journey with Kula and Sally was one of the first blog series I came across, when I moved down to Dallas. It made me want a cow (in my tiny urban way). Your blog also helped me ease into natural living (and traditional eating). Thanks for the years of health and joy you’ve helped my family into!
You’ve been a blessing, even though you don’t know it.
Peace be with you, Shaye!
How exciting! I am so sorry about Sal, too. I hope your friendship with Cecilia grows and grows! Love your blog and your Homestead. I was talking about your log to a friend and I kept referring to you as my friend and then realized and told them no she’s not even an acquaintance I just really want to be Shayes friend hahaha
Oh how wonderfully exciting for you and your family!!
I fell upon your blog just recently. See…we our expecting our very first Jersey heifer…who’s expecting this summer!! And I’ve been reading and googling (God-sent at times), searching for as much information I can digest. I have really enjoyed reading many of your posts. Your blog is most wonderful and encouraging.
That said…I’m a little nervous and apprehensive…but mostly over whelmed with hope and joy for this new journey me and my family are about the start…this Friday! Squeeeeee!! 🙂
Thank you for sharing your’s and your families journey with us.
– Sam
PS. I have 15 yr old twins. The oldest’s name is Cecil. When he was a babe we called him “Cece”. ❤️
Hi,
We are getting ready to purchase a heifer but first need to add fencing to our property. In your experience what type of fencing is best for a dairy cow? When using electric fencing, what brand/type do you go with. I am completely new to this. Thank you!
I’ll be sharing what we are using very soon!
How often do you milk? Once or twice a day?
We so want to get a milk cow of our own but since we only have an acre right now it’s not quite feasible! We’re thinking we may start with a milk goat instead. Maybe a Nigerian Dwarf Goat or something. Congratulations on the new baby, I’m sure you’re looking forward to the birth. Wish mine was back in his newborn stage!