How I Got Started with Milk Cow Ownership: Lessons Learned

When we brought our first milk cow, Lilac—our sweet Jersey girl—home last April, I was a mix of excitement and nerves. This was the moment I’d been dreaming of long before we even moved to our little homestead three years ago. Milk cow ownership wasn’t some newfound interest sparked by the growing trend in recent years; just ask my old coworkers—I’ve always had a thing for cows and raw milk was on my radar long before the recent surge in popularity.

A small note on raw milk: Before getting a milk cow, I encourage you to find a local raw milk supplier (farm or retail sale depending on the state) and use and enjoy it for several months to a year before looking into purchasing a cow. If you can get it from a farmer and they’re close enough, ask about cow ownership, how they like it, what’s good and bad about it. Do they have a vet they use? Is this a good area to own a milk cow in? Are there local resources or knowledgable people to help? Do you live in a state that require a herdshare agreement? (I’ve been part of three of those!) Does your state even sell milk for human consumption? A few of them don’t!

Lilac checked all the boxes: young, A2A2, and already trained as a hand-milker.

She was everything we’d been looking for in a family milk cow. And the main selling point, we were told she was pregnant and due to calve the following month. This meant she wasn’t currently in milk but would freshen soon after her calf was born.

After six months of actively searching for the right cow—and years of researching, joining all the dairy cow Facebook groups, and devouring every book I could find—we finally found her. We drove over five hours to a farm in Missouri, brought her home to Tennessee, and settled her into our little homestead.

But, as often happens with large animals, things didn’t go quite as planned. First lesson for any new cow owner: expect a few curve balls.

Disclaimer: I want to be upfront—this is simply my story of what dairy cow ownership has looked like for me. There are so many experienced people out there with incredible wisdom to share, and I’m still learning every single day. My hope in writing this is to encourage you or, at the very least, offer a glimpse into what it’s truly like to go from no milk cows to two. This isn’t a “do it this way” guide. It’s a reminder that plans don’t always go as expected, but they can still turn out to be beautiful and rewarding. And while there are many health benefits to raw milk products, I’m assuming you already know this since your’e looking into owning a cow, and it’s not something I’m covering in this post.

The day before we picked her up, the seller called to say she’d been rechecked, and her due date was actually more likely in October.

It wasn’t ideal, but we decided to roll with it—she seemed like such a great cow, and a few extra months felt manageable in the grand scheme of things. That said, I didn’t love the idea of her being alone for so long. Cows are herd animals, and it was always our plan to keep her calf. If it was a heifer, we’d raise her as another milker, and if it was a bull calf, we’d castrate him and grow him out for beef. Either way, Lilac would always have a companion, and we planned to rebreed her a few months after freshening.

We were excited to get her settled on the farm and ready for a fall calf. But by October… no baby. A visit from the vet confirmed the disappointing news—Lilac wasn’t pregnant after all.

Lilac asking for forgiveness for being a barren young cow.

To say I was discouraged would be an understatement.

We’d invested $3,500 in Lilac, though the seller kindly refunded $500 since she didn’t produce the calf as originally promised. I learned some valuable lessons through this process. Looking back, we should have had her preg-checked as soon as she arrived at our farm, even though the seller had confirmed her pregnancy.

I don’t believe they were intentionally dishonest—far from it. They have an excellent reputation with buyers and years of glowing reviews. And the fact that they refunded us anything, after six month of ownership, is extremely kind. Still, a well-check and pregnancy exam right away could have saved us a lot of heartache.

Although Lilac turned out to be perfectly healthy, (just not pregnant) the dream of fresh milk on our farm felt farther away than ever.

We tested her for everything under the sun—BLV, milk fever, even to see if she was a freemartin (which would have meant she couldn’t have calves). Thankfully, everything came back clean. But as I learned more, I realized her body type—a larger front end and smaller hindquarters—could make it harder for her to breed successfully and carry a calf. It also meant that when we did find a bull or AI (artificial insemination) sire, he’d need to be a smaller breed to give her the best chance at a smooth delivery.

That’s when I realized something I hadn’t fully prepared for: finding a way to get her bred would be its own challenge.

Renting a bull isn’t easy. Many cattlemen pride themselves on their closed, disease tested herds. They don’t want to introduce risk by bringing your cow into the mix. I can’t blame them. And skilled AI techs can be few and far between. It felt like we were at a standstill.

But God has a way of sending the right people at the right time. (Notice I say right time, not my timeline.)

Around that same time, I started getting milk from my neighbor, who also homeschools her kids and shares so many of the same interests as me. Over time, she became more than just a milk source—she became a friend and mentor. She let me milk her cow, ask her all the questions (and believe me, there were a lot), and helped me build confidence during this long season of waiting.

I also connected with another neighbor, who had a small herd of three Jersey cows. Her milk filled the gap when my other neighbor’s cow dried up for calving in November. Between these two ladies, I learned so much about dairy cows, milking, and just the day-to-day realities of owning one.

By the end of December, the neighbor with the small herd shared that she was moving and selling.

We’d had our feelers out for another cow since learning Lilac wasn’t pregnant. But it had to be a really good deal because we’d already invested so much in a cow we weren’t even sure could get pregnant based on her history. Out of the three cows, Pearl caught my attention. She was 11 years old—far from young or the idea age. She also had a dead quarter from an old case of mastitis. But she was gentle, A2A2, and still producing about three gallons of milk a day. She was looking for a home to ride into the sunset years at. Best of all, she came at a price I couldn’t ignore: $1,000.

At that point, I thought, Why not, and we brought her home. She has been a sweet addition to the farm. And after almost three years of dreaming of milk cows, we finally had one in milk.

Right after Pearl got here we received our first snow of the winter. It was so pretty out I had to snap some photos!

And now, things are slowly falling into place. One of my neighbors recently offered to lend us a little Corriente bull she has. He’s small, and hopefully, he’ll be the perfect match to get Lilac and Pearl bred. He’ll be here soon, and I’m trying not to get ahead of myself, but I feel hopeful.

After so many starts and stops, it feels like progress.

I share all this because if you’re dreaming of a milk cow, I want you to know that nothing about this journey has gone how I expected. And that’s okay.

Milk cows aren’t like goats or chickens, or even beef cows They require more hands-on care, a watchful eye, and a good deal of patience and flexibility.

Even with years of experience around large animals, I’ve learned so much.

Now that we’re settling into a routine, let me tell you about Pearl and her transition from being machine-milked her entire life to becoming a hand-milking pro.

We brought Pearl home late in the morning to give her plenty of time to settle into her new surroundings before evening milking.

She came from a well-established routine, with milkings at 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. We wanted to make the transition as smooth as possible. To do that, we ensured she had the same feed she was used to, both during and after milking.

Feeding Our Milk Cows

Pearl’s previous owner had her on a custom grain mix created with the help of a local supplier, and we purchased 1,000 pounds of it for $200. She was also fed a high-quality alfalfa, a nutrient-dense food, after each milking. It’s shipped in from Utah, and we picked up for $220 per bale—just over 1,000 pounds. Based on the past few weeks, we’re estimating we’ll go through about one bale of alfalfa per month during the winter. Both Pearl and Lilac are enjoying it, as we’re also using it to help Lilac regain some weight she lost over the colder months.

In addition to the alfalfa and grain, we provide them with free-choice Bermuda hay, ensuring they always have access to forage. Altogether, feed costs are averaging around $300 a month for the two cows, though this is just a rough estimate based on current winter consumption.

Milking and supplies

To start you’ll need to purchase a few milking supplies. I bought this stainless steel milking kit with filters off Amazon. I’ve also been collecting half gallon jars for a long time. Usually, I’ll grab a six pack from Walmart whenever I’m shopping and they have them in stock. While some people choose to use gallon jars, I find them really hard to handle, and the kids tiny hand simply can’t grab them effectively.

To prepare for Lilacs birth and calving, I had bought a whole calving kit that includes udder care from Synergy Animal Products. This was the pack I purchased. This included a teat dip cup and iodine which I use after each milking to prevent mastitis.

My Milking Schedule and Routine

I wake up around 5:30 a.m., pour myself a cup of coffee with fresh cream from the previous day, and take a few moments to wake up. Since the temperatures have been dipping into the single digits lately—brr!—I’ll stoke the fire to warm things up before heading out. Then, it’s time to gather my milking supplies.

I start by setting up everything I’ll need for straining the milk once I’m back inside. I pull out the jars, place the filter in the strainer, and have it all ready to go. Next, I fill a bucket with warm soapy water and grab a rag to clean Pearl’s udder before milking. I gather my stainless steel milking pail, the soapy water bucket, and the teat dip, then head out to the barn.

By this point, Pearl is usually mooing up a storm—she knows it’s breakfast time and she’s ready for her grain.

I set everything down, scoop up her grain, and watch as she climbs up into the milk stanchion. By about day three of the same routine, she caught on and didn’t need much direction. Once she’s in place, I toss her grain into the feeder, secure her head in the catch, and get to work.

I start by cleaning her udder thoroughly with the soapy rag, ensuring everything is nice and clean. Then, I express three squirts of milk from each quarter to flush out any bacteria before milking. With everything ready, I bring over the pail and begin.

When I first started milking, it was definitely an adjustment—my hands and upper body were sore, and I had to take frequent breaks.

In the beginning, it took me about 25 minutes to milk her out completely, but Pearl was so patient. She was use to a machine that did it in under five minutes.

Although I’ll never achieve milking machine status for speed, I’ve been vastly improving. Now, after some practice, I can finish the morning milking—almost two gallons—in about 13 minutes. Evening milking is even quicker since she produces just over a gallon at night.

Once I’m done, Pearl backs out of the stanchion, and I reward her with a generous helping of alfalfa. I clean the cow manure from her feeding area, (yes, they poop where they eat) check the troughs and refill with fresh water if needed, and head back inside to strain the milk into jars. From start to finish, the entire process takes a little over 30 minutes, while the evening milking is a bit quicker.

Her milk production was a bit all over the place at first. Which can happen with stress and moving.

But we’ve settled into one and three quarters gallons each morning, and a gallon and a quart at night, making an average of three gallons a day. This give me SO MUCH milk to make all the dairy products. I now make our own butter, sour cream, I’ve been making kefir for years, and also so much yogurt for our family. I’ve not attempted hard cheese yet, but it’s on my list!

While there are many dairy breeds, the usual family cow you’ll see is the jersey milk cow for their high butter fat content. A gallon of milk from a jersey often produces much more cream than holstein cows, which are used at most large dairy farms in the dairy industry of the United States.

Several people have asked if I am going to purchase a milk machine.

For now, the answer is no—I don’t want a milking machine. I’ve genuinely been looking forward to the slow, intentional process of hand milking. There’s something so peaceful about those quiet early mornings. The steady crunch of grain as the cow eats, the rhythmic streams of milk hitting the pail, and the soft bubbles rising to the surface. It’s a grounding routine that I wouldn’t trade for convenience.

Plus, a milking machine feels like more work than it’s worth for just one cow. With two or more cows in milk, it might make sense, or if the teats are too short to hand milk, but honestly, I don’t think I’d even consider one unless we had three cows in milk—and I’m not planning on running a micro-dairy anytime soon!

It’s also important to know how to milk by hand. If the machine ever breaks down, you need to be ready to step in with nothing but your two hands to get the job done.

Once inside, I immediately strain the milk and pour it into clean half-gallon jars.

I clear off a space on the center island and sterilize it with Force of Nature, my go-to safe bleach alternative, before straining and pouring. Each jar is labeled with the date and placed in the freezer for about an hour and a half for a quick cool.

This quick cooling process is essential for several reasons:

Preserving Freshness: Rapidly cooling the milk helps slow the growth of bacteria, ensuring it stays fresh longer.
Maintaining Quality: Cooling prevents the milk from developing off flavors, keeping it sweet and creamy.
Food Safety: Bringing the milk temperature down quickly reduces the risk of spoilage or contamination.
Improved Cream Separation: Quick cooling encourages the cream to rise more efficiently, making it easier to skim for butter or fresh cream later.

After the milk is cooled, it’s transferred to the fridge, ready to enjoy or use in recipes throughout the week!

Vets and Such For Milk Cow Ownership

After Pearl arrived, I noticed she was favoring her right hind leg. There wasn’t any swelling, so I suspected it might be an issue with her hooves. Just like horses, dairy cows sometimes need their hooves trimmed. While beef cattle typically don’t live long enough to require trimming, dairy cows live much longer, especially in smaller farm settings. In larger dairies, where cows have less space to roam, their hooves can overgrow.

I called the vet to take a look, and my hunch was right—her hooves were too long.

The edges had started to roll up, preventing her from placing her weight properly and making it difficult for her to get around. The vet also noted that, given her age, she might have a touch of arthritis, which could be contributing to her stiffness.

The vet explained that bringing Pearl into the clinic would be too stressful for her as an older cow. Instead, he suggested coming out to the farm, sedating her, (which sounded nerve wracking to me!), dropping her to the ground, and trimming her hooves on-site. It’s not a procedure you do often, but it’s sometimes necessary to ensure a cow stays comfortable and mobile. He wants to do this come spring when the ground is dry and hard again.

This wasn’t our first visit from the vet.

We’ve had them out for Lilac as well, especially after her pregnancy loss, to run tests and ensure her overall health. These visits have reinforced the importance of planning ahead for the unexpected. Whether it’s testing, treatments, or procedures like hoof trimming, things can add up quickly. That’s why we try to keep a $1,000 emergency fund set aside just for the animals. It gives us peace of mind knowing we can address their needs without scrambling for resources.

Closing Thoughts On Milk Cow Ownership

I still find it hard to believe we own dairy cows. And not one, but two good cows! After years of planning and saving, we’re finally first time cow owners.

Milk cow ownership has been a journey filled with challenges, lessons, and countless unexpected moments. It’s not always easy, and things rarely go exactly as planned, but the beauty of it all is in the process—the daily care, the quiet connection, and the way it slows life down just enough to appreciate the little things.

I’ve discovered that dairy animal ownership is as much about growth as it is about the milk itself. It pushes me to be patient, resourceful, and more attuned to the animals in my care.

If you’re considering adding a dairy cow to your homestead, I hope this glimpse into my experience has given you a sense of what it’s really like. It’s messy and unpredictable, but it’s also deeply rewarding. These cows have become such an important part of our farm, and I can’t imagine our life here without them. They each have their own personality and quirks.

Thanks for taking the time to share this journey with me. If you have questions or are dreaming of your own milk cow adventure, I’d love to hear from you. Drop your thoughts in the comments—I’m always happy to chat and update this post with common questions I may have forgotten to address. And to hear more about our homestead journey, check out my about me page.