The Backyard Cow

This title covers everything small farmers and backyard homesteaders need to know to keep a single cow or a small dairy herd as a productive part of their food supply – from selecting a breed, maintaining animal health, feeding, and providing shelter to milking and making homemade dairy products. Just one cow can easily provide all the milk, cheese, and other dairy products one family needs. A dairy cow, such as a Jersey, will give six gallons of milk a day, compared with a dairy goat that gives just up to three quarts. Per capita cheese consumption is twice the level it was 25 years ago, and it shows no signs of levelling off, according to the USDA’s Educational Research Service.