Elsie The Milk Cow
- May 24th, 2010
- Filed under: Cowgirl Voices
A couple of weeks ago, I told you that my friend, Callie, gives us fresh milk from their milk cow, Elsie. Well, I decided you all needed to meet our faithful milk supplier, Elsie…
And because she’s one of my favorite people on the planet, I want you to meet Callie, too…
We’ll start by order of importance and I’ll tell you about Callie first. She was born and raised on a ranch in Eastern Montana. She attended a one room schoolhouse and rode her horse to school. For real. We initially became friends by association- her husband, Luke, and my husband, Buck ,are lifelong best buddies. There really wasn’t a chance not to be friends. As it turns out it was most advantageous for us to get thrown together by our spouses because Callie and I need one another. Not only did a fellow nurse and I deliver her youngest child, but more than that, Callie keeps me grounded. She’s steady and practical and hilariously witty- three qualities that I need in regular dosages in my life.
Now for the cow part… milk cows have a couple of major advantages. The first and most obvious benefit being their supply of fresh milk. The second benefit is that milk cows can raise several calves at once, as compared to the typical beef cow who is only capable of raising one at a time. This is particularly handy for bummer calves who need a mom. If I was a bummer calf, I’d ask for my adoptive mom to be a milk cow…. one who produces a lot of cream.
Elsie is a six year old Jersey cow who came off of a dairy in Tillamook, Oregon. Elsie, like other milk cows, likes her routine and she doesn’t appreciate when it gets thrown off. She’s milked at the same time each and every morning and then again in the evening. Remember the steady quality in Callie- you have to be steady to abide by a milk cow’s routine. In the morning, Elsie waits patiently at the fence (that’s her peeking around the corner, isn’t she cute?)
to head into the barn to her milking stancheon where grain awaits her…
While she munches on her grain, Callie cleans off her udder…
It was really cute because two of Callie’s little tykes, who usually could care less about Elsie being milked, thought it was all pretty exciting the morning I was there taking pictures ;-) Their enthusiasm lasted approximately 45 seconds- they were soon off playing in the dirt with the barn cats.
After Elsie is all cleaned up, Callie milks out one side of her udder…
Milking looks easy, but it’s actually hard work and has a technique to it. Besides technique, the milking routine and the milker are both important factors for a cow- if she’s not comfortable, she won’t always “let down” her milk. Elsie is an accomplished milk cow and so she didn’t mind me hanging out in the barn taking pictures. A younger, more high strung cow, might have been bothered enough by my presence to not let down her milk and thus starve Callie’s family. Starve is a little extreme, but I like that kind of exaggeration; it makes life more interesting. All I’m trying to say is that Elsie and Callie have built a trusting relationship with one another….
Elsie has a lot TONS of milk. While Callie’s milking one side, the other side is just dripping away…
Because she has so much milk, after Callie’s bucket is full…
she lets in two calves- one, Elsie’s natural born offspring, the other, an adopted beef calf…
and they nurse to their belly’s delight….
When they’re done filling up their tanks, they all get turned out for the day and we take the bucket of milk back to the house where Callie strains it into a gallon jar…
and I take it home!
Elsie, a single cow, is capable of providing enough milk for Callie’s family of 5, our family of 4, two calves, and much more. Pretty cool, huh?
I think it’s really fun to see the process as well as hang out with the wonderful gal behind it all– I hope you were mooved by it, too.
–Chelsea
18 Comments Leave a comment »
Emily
May 24, 2010
8:24 am
I love it. Love the pictures. Someday I will have a milk cow, until then I will enjoy your stories and your pictures and dream.
Jessie
May 24, 2010
9:30 am
That first picture of Callie is a great one! Very natural of Callie! You’re justso good at this!
Katie Hall
May 24, 2010
9:46 am
My mom likes to tell a story about me when I was about 4 years old. I used to watch her milk our cow, Gertie, every morning, so I decided to do my part to help out with the milking. Since at that time cows seemed gigantic to me, I wrangled our yellow lab mix (who had recently had puppies, so I wasn’t completely off base here) into the back yard and put my little side-kick stool down. I had a little bucket and everything, but despite my best technique, I couldn’t get that mama to give any milk! Of course my mom took a picture of this “precious moment” and left it framed and hanging up in our house well into my embarrassed adolescent years. Thanks, mom! ;-)
chelsea
May 25, 2010
7:57 am
That is hilarious Katie! I want to see that picture- next time I’m in her neck of the woods, I’m stoppin’ by your mom’s house!
Angie Nash
May 24, 2010
1:30 pm
I love milk cows, they are so cute!! Josh had Daisy and he raised 1-2 bummers plus her calf. Callie you are great and you make it look so easy. =)
Julie and kids
May 24, 2010
3:48 pm
Way to go Callie!! You have always been a special hero in my book. Great picts.
Janie Tippett
May 24, 2010
4:15 pm
Your best work yet. Callie is such a darling little milk maid, and Elsie is adorable, almost as cute as my FAWN. Am just itching to milk her, but have a long wait. Can’t you just see me at age 80 still milking a cow. Keep up the good work. Boy, Elsie sure has a large udder.
Carole
May 25, 2010
5:31 am
Oh yes, I can see you doing anything at 80 Janie! You are such an inspiration to all who know you and talk about a lucky family to have such a precious gem!!! I agree Callie is too darn cute!! (and of course I think the writer is sooooo talented and a cutey pie also!!!
Robyn H
May 25, 2010
6:30 am
I think i will get a milk cow too, as long as Callie comes with her. don’t get me wrong I can milk a cow. I just take too long. =)
Bev
May 25, 2010
10:37 am
I love seeing this young lady milking her cow! It’s becoming a lost art around here. Our two youngest daughters are milkers: Kara (19) has a Jersey cow, Lily May, that she’s milking; and Amelia (13) is milking 3 goats right now. Lots of milk around here : )
Janie – I read that you have a new little heifer! I’m looking forward to hearing more about her via your column in AgriTimes! That is so exciting : )
Robin K
May 25, 2010
11:29 am
great pics! You are lucky to get fresh milk. I would love to get fresh milk again! Yummy :)
Tamarah Duncan
May 26, 2010
1:50 pm
Great story, Chelsea. And such great pictures as well! A milk cow has never been of interest to me until I met Callie. Rob’s trying to hold me back now! :)
tawny
May 26, 2010
2:08 pm
that first picture of callie milking the cow could win a prize at the fair! you’re really talented, chelsea. Thanks for the informative milk lesson too :)
Jenny McCabe
May 27, 2010
9:02 am
Chelsea GREAT article! Callie you are definately in your element! Kids and Critters I can’t wait till that’s my full time life! I hope you gals have a great summer.
Oh, and PS Chelsea I am getting ready for that giant sledgehammer here shortly in July ;)
chelsea
May 27, 2010
4:34 pm
I would like to pretend I never said anything about any sledgehammers. And I’d like you to pretend you heard nothing about them from me!!
Callie
May 27, 2010
11:35 am
Chels- I am so honored to be on your beautiful website. Thank you for the wonderful article about me and my cow! You are one of my favorite people too! Thanks everyone for the nice comments.
Mark
May 30, 2010
2:27 pm
Looks like your family has a great pet. I sold you the cow. That is so cool. You are doing a fantastic job. Let me know if you find a great home that needs a family milk cow. keep up the good work. Mark 1-208-661-1486
Kris
June 1, 2010
10:58 am
Callie you are beautiful and so is your cow. I know your mom very well – she is quite a lady. Bet she taught you all you know about milk cows and then some. You come from great stock, and are raising your family right. You go girl.