Community Corner
Soule: What Kind of Cow is That?
Do you know what kind of cow produces milk? That's a trick question because they all do. But not all cows are equal. I'll tell you why.
“What type of cow is that?” asked Jane, a visitor to Miles Smith Farm, pointing to Belle. When I told her Belle was a Milking Short Horn, Jane asked, “When do you start milking her?” Astonished by the question, I realized that maybe Jane thought cows began producing milk spontaneously.
A cow produces milk for one reason: to feed her calf. She doesn’t produce it to create ice cream, cheese, or yogurt. Just like a woman has milk for her baby, a cow does the same for hers.
Dairy cows were created by selective breeding to create lots of milk. Soon after the calf is born, it’s taken from its mom and bottle-fed a non-milk formula. Then the cow is milked twice daily, and that milk is enjoyed in its many forms by non-vegan humans.
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As harsh as it may sound, dairy calves are weaned within days or even hours of birth. If pastured with their mothers, the little calves would be in danger of getting trampled by other cows that come running at milking time. There are health factors, too.
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Carole is co-owner of Miles Smith Farm at Loudon, N.H., where she raises beef and shares the joys of her Farm with kids and adults. She can be reached at carole@soulecoaching.com.
