Milking & Dairy

Where can I get raw milk or get help to sell mine?

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There is definitely a faction of the population trying to get raw milk for their pets and family. There are also many folks trying to provide this to their community and both are struggling to make the connections.

Here are two links that can help you get to the source or get listed as a source.

https://getrawmilk.com

Raw Milk Finder

I would also have you check with your local and state laws to make sure that you are in compliance with them. Each state is different, with more and more changes coming down the pike. Be prepared if you are providing it for folks to just show up, for many phone calls and emails..the movement is in full swing.

Dexters provide a rich and creamy milk preferred by many! Happy milking!

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Milking & Dairy Selling

Dexter Milk

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Written by Riley Wohlgemuth of Bar Dubya Ranch

Over the last week, I’ve dedicated part of my daily life to training Marieke to milk… We weaned her 10 month old bull calf and separated them so that she could begin to recover some condition. For the previous two months, I have been casually working on her haltering and handling in preparation for this moment…

As always, it takes some adjustment and determination to get into a routine, to be mindful of my actions and responses when training a cow, and just overall persistence despite the odds. Once separated from Connor, Marieke became a little waspy with milking while standing freely, so I quickly decided to start tying her up while I milked for both of our safety.

Milking is not easy. It’s a chore. It requires consistency (after the calf is weaned), determination, patience, and a lot of grace.

But… it’s amazing. To work with a cow and receive raw milk. It is an amazing thing to be able to provide your own milk… to know exactly what goes onto it, where it’s coming from, and get the cow kisses while you’re at it.

The other thing apart from feeding ourselves that brings me so much joy… is the connection to the community, providing the connection to their food that so many are craving. We don’t currently sell our milk as we are still trying to find our own rhythm, a place to purchase, and some other variables which just make that out of reach right now…

A couple of days ago, a neighbor requested to try some of our milk. Her toddler absolutely cannot have cow milk (not even the lactose-free), a sip of it will send her into tummy aches and throwing up within 30 minutes. Her little girl could drink our Dexter milk! Absolutely zero issues. So neat!!

Then, today, we milked Marieke this morning. Getting a full, creamy half gallon jar of delicious raw milk to take home. We decided to stop at a Christmas tree farm on the way home and one of the employees pointed out our lariat rope, which turned into conversation about roping, and then cattle… did we raise any, what do we use them for, etc. We raise our cattle for milk and beef. My husband pulled out the jar of raw milk to show them and they were so fascinated and intrigued! So we offered for them to have a little sip. We have so much at home that it wasn’t too terrible a loss to sacrifice some milk for the sake of curiosity.

They were amazed! At the flavor, the texture, remarking on its creamy sweetness and how the flavor lingered on their tongues. Then there were immediate questions about did we sell, could they buy, etc. The excitement, the chattering. It made me so happy to provide that experience and connection to them!

Farming is difficult, but so rewarding… for ourselves, for the connections we cultivate with friends and strangers, to nature and God’s provision for us… We are feeling extra grateful this season.

God bless and happy holidays!! 🥰❤️

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Milking & Dairy

Preserving irish dexter dairy & beef

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By Eliena Bodtke, Stay’N Put Farm

Since many of us are homesteaders or practice some kind of preserving, I thought I would take a moment to discuss an alternative to canning, pressure canning and dehydrating. 

 Are you scratching your head, thinking where is she going with this?

Consider freeze drying.  While the initial cost seems daunting, it really is an excellent way to preserve your Dexter milk, yogurts, cheeses, colostrum and beef for 25 YEARS!  Think about when you’re over loaded with one veggie or another during gardening season.  The veggies, herbs or eggs when they are abundant, can be frozen and put into the freeze dryer anytime.  We still can and pressure can, but this gives us a  whole new option.  

We purchased a medium Harvest Right about a year and half ago and have been amazed at all the things we can preserve….it is less time consuming and in our opinion, and better quality product in many cases.

Canning of dairy is frowned upon by the USDA and in some cases consider unsafe, although people do it.  Freeze drying on the other hand, processes the dairy at lower temperatures and therefore does not pasteurize it…so if raw is your goal, it is good alternative.  If you pasteurize, you still follow the same method.  We pour a quart of milk on each tray and let the machine do its thing.  We have done it both with cream in and cream out…the choice is yours.  We find it needs to be blended when reconstituted, or another favorite is dry in our coffee, just like coffee creamer!

If you’re into selling, freeze dried milk and other products can be a good source income.  Take a look at the price of powdered milk in the store!  It is not uncommon to see freeze dried milk for $30-40 a gallon.  Let’s clarify this.  One gallon of freezer dried milk reconstituted into one gallon of drinkable milk…almost quadruples in price.

And don’t forget your Dexter beef!  Consider this scenario….you have some cuts left from your last processing and you would really like to eat it before you get into the next one.  Well, freeze dry it and then you have preserved it for 25 years.  It makes great gifts, as it is so light to ship.

How do you use this freeze dried beef?  We like to pour some of our Dexter  bone broth over it.  Let it sit in refrigerator over night and then use it in the next day or so.  The beef will only absorb as much broth as it can.  It doesn’t get mushy, which can happen with veggies.  Cook with it like you usually do.

Hope this article helps you on your farm, ranch or homestead.  I just love this technology and thought I would share.

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Milking & Dairy

Are cows the new insulin producers?

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Excerpt from Veterinarian To Be on Facebook

Scientists created a genetically engineered cow that produces human insulin in its milk:

 Currently, diabetics rely on insulin synthesized in bacteria within complex laboratory settings.

 The new method harnesses the cow’s natural milk-production capabilities as a biological factory for human proinsulin, the precursor to insulin. Surprisingly, the cow’s mammary gland even performed the conversion to active insulin. 

This proof-of-concept study demonstrated the remarkable potential for transgenic cows to produce massive quantities of insulin. The researchers inserted a segment of human DNA responsible for proinsulin production into cow embryos.  The resulting transgenic calf demonstrated the ability to secrete both human proinsulin and insulin in its milk. 

A single liter of milk contains enough insulin that could meet the needs for a diabetic patient for several years. 

Researchers envision a future where relatively small herds of these special cows could drastically lower insulin production costs and potentially meet global demand. 

Unlike current bacterial production methods, this approach wouldn’t require sophisticated facilities. While further research and regulatory approvals are needed, the scientists are optimistic. This development could herald a new era of insulin availability, making this life-saving medication a reality for all diabetics, regardless of location or income.

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Milking & Dairy
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