Nothing heralds the arrival of spring like the appearance of newborn calves and lambs in the fields. Watching them gamboling through the fresh spring grass is one of the highlights of my year! But how many calves can a cow have at once? Or over her lifetime? That’s one of the most common questions new …
Lowline cattle are an incredible cow breed that has gained recent prominence and popularity. We have a soft spot for these cows, as we have been raising Lowline cattle for five years. They are a hardy breed that you can raise almost anywhere in the world. They have other perks, too, as their calm temperament, …
Buying a half or a whole cow has many benefits, including better-tasting cuts of beef, knowing where your food came from and how it got raised, saving a big chunk of money, and making the world a more humane place for meat-providing animals like cattle. So, as a modern homesteader, what’s the process for buying …
Recently, we’ve been in need of a hay feeder for our cattle that will protect their round bales from the rain. While there are plenty of nice hay feeder options out there, they can also be very pricey, which is why we decided to make our own DIY round bale hay feeder for our herd! …
I have been toying with the idea of introducing cows to our smallholding, but the thought of upgrading all our fences is a little daunting, to say the least. From what I’ve experienced of cows, they perceive fences primarily as scratching posts and then as items requiring mass destruction. So, that left me wondering: what …
As a homesteader, contemplating adding a beef cow or two to your menagerie can feel like you’re hitting the big time! It’s all fine and dandy playing around with poultry, sheep, and goats, but bringing some beef cattle into the mix starts to step everything up a gear. But if some beautiful bovines are next …
How much meat is half a cow? How many steaks are in a cow? As prices continue to skyrocket at the grocery store, many homesteaders are looking for ways to cut costs while still getting all the food they need. In particular, the cost of meat can be prohibitively expensive. This past summer, we stocked …
Black and white cow breeds! When you think about cows, you probably remember the ones that produce milk. That is likely the Holstein-Friesian dairy cow, the famous dairy cow with white and black spots! (And one of our favorite dairy cows, too.) Even though many dairy farmers use Holstein cows because they produce more milk …
There is nothing like the magnificent sight of a herd of cattle grazing peacefully in a field of lush grass. It is way too easy to take these beautiful bovines for granted without taking a second glance. But look closely. Look at their horns! Do all cows have horns? Or is it just certain types …
Do male cows have udders? It might sound like a question that a curious child would ask, but once you start thinking about it, the idea of male cows having udders isn’t all that strange! Let’s dive into the differences between male and female cows. And we’ll answer all your burning questions about how cows …
You may have seen them on social media or on a farm-to-table restaurant menu and asked yourself – what kind of cow is that? Well, friends, those are teacup mini cows! And they are the latest trend in the world of pet ownership. Though they may look like a cross between a miniature horse and a cow, …
Did you know that cows with names produce more milk?! And the ones with funny cow names probably produce even more! Yes, that is a genuine fact – a research study has found that cows with names produce on average one liter more milk per day than their nameless counterparts! This is because cows with …
Can cows eat clover forage? Or not?! Moo! That’s the sound of a cow eating. Cows are grazing animals and love grazing on grass, but can your farm cows safely eat clover forage? Clover is a prized forage crop for livestock because it is so high in protein and minerals. While cattle may enjoy nibbling …
Mini Highland cows are some of our favorite homestead companions! When most people think of Highland cows, they think of the unkempt (and beastly) creatures often used as tourist attractions or featured in commercials. However, we know about a newer and smaller version of this Scottish cow gaining popularity – miniature Highland cattle! As their name …
All creatures who are born eventually die. There is no exception to the rule. The only variation lies in the time each species gets to walk on Earth. But – what about cows? How long do cows live naturally? Is there a difference between how long dairy cows live and beef cows? We’re about to …