~~Luella the Cow~~

It's official, we are dairy farmers. 

We bought a cow this year that was ready to calf, we thought this was a great idea because we wouldn't have to bottle feed a calf, or endure the expenses of buying formula for a calf. Little did we know, this mama calf tandem nursed the last time she had a baby, therefore she produces way to much milk for one little calf to keep up with. In order for mama to avoid getting mastitis, we would have to milk her. 

So, we reluctantly stepped into the world of milking a cow.

To back tract a minute, we were given this book a few years ago by my sister-in-law. The kids LOVE this book. It's all about milking a cow named Luella. The cow we bought looks just like Luella in the story, so that is what we named her. 

 Dusty milking Luella.

We are getting about 2 gallons of milk a day.

She is very tame and calm. She is use to being milked. 

We did have to buy a special bar just to make sure she doesn't kick. 

Austin's turn!

Baby is never far away from her mama. 

A family affair.

The guys just milk the back teats, leaving the front ones for the baby calf.

 Dusty and our neighbor assisted in the birth of the calf. 

Maybe assisted is an understatement, they had to pull her out! 

Luella was struggling and needed some help. 

 Dusty and Grandpa Fitz milking in the rain.

We bought Luella with Grandma and Grandpa so it's a joint effort 

in milking and raising these two girls. This is our first joint livestock adventure.