[Homesteadingfamily] Homestead dairying...

This subject can take pages of time, but I want to hit the "highlights" here....
After a year of researching which type of dairy animal that we wanted on our farm, we settled on purebred Jersey cows. They seem to have a very high butterfat content in their milk, as well as high protein. I began by buying an old cull, and in short order she tried to kill me!
For weeks after my purchase of this cow..all I could see when I looked at her,was "STEAKS"...er, milk.

After some "discussion" with HER about her attitude and the one that she was giving ME, we came to terms....she had milk and we wanted it.
We "had a few talks with Jesus", but she did eventually come around and has made one of the best companions on the farm!
One warning here...city slickers should not start with "visions of grandeur" about milking cows. :-)

I have taught myself to churn as well as make "cultured" buttermilk. I don't drink it, but it does make the BEST cornbread and biscuits! I also figured out how to make sweet cream butter in the blender. It does not have the sour cream type taste that the churned butter does, but makes one think of "store bought". Anyone interested in knowing how to make butter in the blender, I will be happy to post directions of how I do it. Nothing in this world, like fresh cream....YUM!

Also, I bought many books on cheesemaking. This subject would truly take more pages that I have here, as there are so many variables to doing this...but if one does persevere, it is possible to make really good home made cheeses. It was hit or miss for many months for me, but now I have it down pat...well, somewhat. The main thing is STERILIZATION of anything that comes close to the milk or utensils.

Dairy goat milk makes really good cheese too. Different milks make different flavored cheeses...goat milk is the ONLY thing for Chevre!
And it also depends on what you feed the dairy animal as to the consistency in your products...the health of a dairy animal is one thing that cannot be compromised, if you want nutritional as well as clean foods for YOU and your family.

Anything that anyone would like to know in detail, just let me know and I'll try to accommodate you.
til next time...
deb