A book about keeping one cow

I am toying with the idea of keeping just one cow . Anyone recommend a book ?

David

The only book out there, which is a bit outdated and not the most permie approach possible, is 'The Family Cow' by Dirk van Loon. Definitely a good book, but not as progressive/permie as I would hope for. As in, he still feeds grain to his cows (gasp!).

The biggest challenge to having one milk cow is the breeding cycle. Heat timing is not easy without a herd. With one cow, you likely are stuck with artificial insemination, which requires very accurate timing. The commercial dairies that utilize AI use hormones to control the cow's estrus, so that the AI is done at the right moment. Not very permie at all.

All in all, milking a cow is the best thing that ever happened to our small farm. Hope it bestows even half the blessing upon you and yours that it has for me.

good luck!

Adam
I was rather hoping that you had written one having read many of your posts on the topic

David

David Livingston wrote:Adam
I was rather hoping that you had written one having read many of your posts on the topic

David

Well thank you for the kind words David. Actually, I have written a book, it is just awaiting publication. It is titled, 'Dairy Farming: The Beautiful Way'. I hope for it to be in print by the end of the year. I will definitely keep the whole permie world posted when it is physically in hand.

^then i must subscribe:)

here is another book about keeping a family cow.
this one is a bit more updated than the older version with a green cover.


http://www.amazon.com/Keeping-Family-Cow-Home-Scale-Producers/dp/1603584781/ref=pd_sim_b_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1WN7G2696RKBDX76VGAX

this one is also not as permie as most here would hope for, but it does give a lot of non-industrial help. we found it very useful.