Calling all farmers - Writers Forum

terrib · 06-19-2007, 08:27 PM

Does a cow have to have birthed a calf to produce milk? And if they do how long will they produce? And what is a heifer?

Thanks Terri

wmd · 06-19-2007, 08:42 PM

***clears throat***

google it.

wmd · 06-19-2007, 08:43 PM

seriously though... I heard a cow does need a calf to produce milk, but not sure if it is true...

and a heffer is one of those ladies you see on Springer

Beardedtroll · 06-19-2007, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by terrib

Does a cow have to have birthed a calf to produce milk?

Yes, they do.

Quote:

And if they do how long will they produce?

This probably depends on the breed, but about a year.

Quote:

And what is a heifer?

Heifer, courtesy of Merriam-Webster.

Kyrie · 06-19-2007, 08:50 PM

Have you been playing those Harvest Moon games?

I'm kidding, a cow gives milk when she's old enough and stops giving it when they're too old, giving birth has nothing to do with it.

Although if you're looking for a specific age then keep waiting for that farmer.

Beardedtroll · 06-19-2007, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyrie

I'm kidding, a cow gives milk when she's old enough and stops giving it when they're too old, giving birth has nothing to do with it.

Here is an old article talking about lactation in heifers who haven't given birth (nulliparous) due to hormone treatment. Note that the article discusses this as a curiosity or unusual sitation.

Here is a recent discussion about what age (and weight) heifers should be when calving for the first time, in order to optimise milk production.

Kyrie · 06-19-2007, 09:32 PM

But they still produce milk if they don't calf right?

Scratch that, I don't want to seem rude. I just learned something new, thanks.

archer88iv · 06-20-2007, 12:23 AM

As I understand it, human females will produce milk until the glands are no longer stimulated--that is, until the kid stops sucking. Cows are mammals too; don't see why they'd be any different.

Mike C · 06-20-2007, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyrie

But they still produce milk if they don't calf right?

Nope. Did your mother produce milk before you were born?

A cow will keep producing milk all the time there is demand, although output drops with age. It's no different to humans really. It's not unknown for mothers to breast feed until a kid is about 5 (although I find that kind of weird) but whatever the age of the child, when she stops feeding, the supply will slowly dry up.

And a heifer? I could tell you, but I won't. Google define: heifer for the answer.

fjf1329 · 06-21-2007, 11:41 PM

Under normal conditions cows start to produce milk when a calf is born. They continue to produce milk when milked (on a dairy farm for example) for years.

A heifer is a female that has not had a calf.