How to Keep a Cow Milking

You can keep your dairy cow milking by setting up a routine and feeding it high-protein grains. Milking cows not only provide a source of nutrition for the family, but their milk can also be sold to local markets and to add supplemental income to the household. Specially fed dairy cows can produce up to eight gallons of milk a day, though typical family milking cows fed with a grass-only diet will produce three gallons a day.

Things You'll Need

  • Cow feed mineral supplements
  • Oats, barley corn or wheat
  • Source of fresh water
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Instructions

    • 1

      Plan on when you are going to milk your cow. The cow needs to be milked twice a day, 12 hours apart. If the cow has a calf, you can milk the cow in the morning and leave the calf with its mother at night to let it feed. Once the calf is weaned, you will need to milk the cow twice daily.

    • 2

      Feed the cow grass hay, alfalfa hay, grass-legume pasture supplements or protein supplements to increase its milk production. Supplemental grains, such as oats, barley, corn or wheat, should be provided every day. Also provide milking cow--specific mineral supplements and salt. Give your milking cow access to fresh drinking water, keeping in mind that it can consume up to 30 gallons of water per day.

    • 3

      Breed your milk cow after it gives birth, during its second heat (the period when the cow is ready to reproduce). The cow will produce milk, or "freshen," after it becomes pregnant or "settles" for nine-and-a-half months. Cows make milk to feed their young, so let the cow rest (do not milk it) for two months before it gives birth; this stopping time is necessary to allow the cow's body to prepare for birth.