Choosing your cow

If you've been following the other articles in this series you'll know by now that you need to have not only somewhere to house and feed your new charge but also a field for her to move around in.
This article will give you guidance and hopefully the information you need to make the right choice for you both !
So, you will have all the necessary documents and have checked your local regulations and even aquired permission from whoever is responsible for local livestock movements [this particularly applies in the UK following F & M when a 'passport' is required for each cow]

Having all the paper-work done you next need to find out where to obtain your new pal. There may be farmers markets, livestock sales or even a farm dispersal [where animals are being sold as a result of the farmer selling-up]. With the odd exception most animals will be sold at auction so if you are not the sort to say 'boo' to a ghost or have never been to one before you need someone with you to advise and maybe put their hand up on your behalf.

There is one very important proviso here, unlike a household animal which is normally chosen because it looks cute or has licked your face you need to choose your future charge on her merits and records. Don't just go for the one that catches your eye or walks over to you, please ?!

In the UK most herds are regularly checked for their milk yield and quality [National Milk Recording] and for disease vaccinations. There are several 'Notifiable Diseases' like 'Salmonella, 'TB' and others which farmers are required by law to report to their local vet service if suspected.
Most dairy herds are fully and routinely vaccinated against these and as a result earn a premium for milk sales.

Be aware though that should your cow suffer any disease it can lead to a very nasty death if she has not been vaccinated against it.
Would you make sure that your children had all their 'shots' to prevent illness ? If so why not your cows ?
Ultimately, the choice is yours, make sure you have all the facts before you decide and don't allow yourself to be swayed by uninformed arguements.
You are going to be responsible for a life, choose wisely !

You might however, want to go the 'Organic' route, this is your choice, I mention the above for information only.

Right, that's enough of the heavy stuff, lets get ourselves a cow !
Ooops hang on, yet more decisions . . .

Dairy or Beef ? Do you want your cow for milk or for meat ? There's no point having a beef cow and expecting her to give you gallons of milk, it just isn't going to happen !

Calf, heifer or cow ? If you want a calf remember you will have to wait at least a 1-2 years before you can even think about any returns, during this period you will need to provide all facilities and food. This option is not for the financially challenged.

Want a heifer ? Do you want her for breeding or already in-calf to a nominated bull ? This is a popular choice for many but not for the novice, heifers can cause all sorts of problems for the beginner and I really wouldn't advise it unless you are experienced !

Want a cow ? Again, the option is there for in-calf [either to a Dairy/Beef 'stock bull or 'nominated' bull] and make sure you have a calving date / of breeding quality [ensure there is a vet certificate of fertility or else a guarantee that the seller will refund if she is found to be barren] or a 'barren cow for production only ?
If buying in-calf ensure that apart from a calving date you also know what breed of bull was used, it may sound impossible but you really don't want a small breed in-calf to a big beef type. You will have an oversized calf that the cow will be unable to drop with terrible consequences.
If choosing a small breed cow then choose a small breed bull and for heifers of either size range it is advisable to use a bull that gives small calves, you don't want a heifer having a difficult time with her first calf so be kind and not greedy !

Calving date. Don't choose a cow that is due to drop at any moment. Think about it, you both need time to get to know each other and time for your new friend to settle in and learn the routine. Ideally a cow that is 6-7 months in-calf is ideal. It gives you both time to settle.

Ok, lets imagine you want a dairy cow. There are so many breeds that it's impossible to advise as to the best type for any given situation. Don't be fooled either that because you only have a few acres you need to choose one of the small breeds [Dexter, Jersey, Guernsey] or that a small breed cow will eat so much less than a large breed [Holstein-Friesian, Brown Swiss, Ayreshire]. You must also decide do you want a cow purely for milk production or an all-rounder [will her calf be with her, taking her milk ?] that will be able to withstand being out in all seasons with shelter.

What age ? I would advise a cow with 3-4 lactations for a beginner and for those with more experience 1-2.

[I personally will call round if you just buy a cow and stick her in a field without any form of protection against sun or snow !]

I assume you have now decided that you want a large breed in-calf to a dairy bull that is due to calve in two-three months.
Personally I would choose a Brown Swiss, they are a big breed, good all-rounder and give lots of butterfat rich milk, added to which they have a real loving temperament.
So, I've seen the cow I want to share my life with, what next ? [surely nothing more ?!]

Check her over ! You wouldn't look at a car without looking under the hood would you ?
Like anything in life you get what you pay for [as a rule . . .], don't expect to find a milker giving gallons every day for peanuts.
If you want a pedigree then expect to pay a small fortune, it's quite common in the UK for a such a cow to be over £20,000 !
Whatever the cost you need to check her over for several points.

Does she have all her teeth, does she have any obvious signs of wounds or disease [these should all be covered and declared by her previous carer].
Is her bag [udder] in good shape [it should hang nicely and have 4 equally sized teats] and not touch the floor ?
Does she have 4 good hooves and walk and stand without any signs of discomfort ?
Is her back level without too many kinks and is her tail unbroken ?

It's really best to either have someone with you who can spot a good cow or have a vet check her before purchase.

So, pay and take her home !
Congratulations, you are now about to enter into a relationship that will give you so much joy and hopefully no anguish.