Leo Vance
Chillin' with the herd
I keep about twenty dairy cows. Not a huge herd, but more than enough to keep me busy. Most of the year they’re out grazing. I split the pasture into a few sections and rotate them so the grass has a chance to grow back.
In winter, when grass is short, I feed hay and silage, and throw in some grain. I used to buy commercial supplements, but honestly, they didn’t really fit and they were pricey. Later I got myself a small pellet machine (bought it from this seller, been working fine). I use it to press grass into pellets and store them for the times when grazing isn’t possible.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s to prepare early. I make sure I’ve got enough silage before winter, otherwise I can’t relax. Keeping up with deworming and fly control is also a must—skip it once and you’ll pay for it. And just watching the cows every day makes a big difference. You start noticing little changes before they turn into bigger problems.
Each cow’s got its own vibe—some follow me around like little dogs, others just keep testing the fence like escape artists
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It’s a lot of work, sure, but there’s always some small joy in it.
In winter, when grass is short, I feed hay and silage, and throw in some grain. I used to buy commercial supplements, but honestly, they didn’t really fit and they were pricey. Later I got myself a small pellet machine (bought it from this seller, been working fine). I use it to press grass into pellets and store them for the times when grazing isn’t possible.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s to prepare early. I make sure I’ve got enough silage before winter, otherwise I can’t relax. Keeping up with deworming and fly control is also a must—skip it once and you’ll pay for it. And just watching the cows every day makes a big difference. You start noticing little changes before they turn into bigger problems.
Each cow’s got its own vibe—some follow me around like little dogs, others just keep testing the fence like escape artists
.It’s a lot of work, sure, but there’s always some small joy in it.
Plus quantity & use needs to be addressed. I use goats not cows due to size, needs & quantity of milk. It's nice to have home dairy but, a commitment. I do 1X day milking this time of year. That takes some pressure off time required. 
. Still, 1 goat, once a day & I'm loaded with milk!
