Only in PA

[JR]

What exactly are dairy cows bred for? Bone and bag. And while you’re at it you may explain why a good beefer produces such a high percentage of prime and choice while dairy washouts head for the commercial bin.

Like I said blanket statement. Commercial dairy = processed meat or dog food. Most dairy cows live many times beyond the lifespan of a beef cow and the hormones used in a commercial dairy make the beef that much worse over the years.

Now go find a local farmer that feeds his herd naturally and has butchered a cow approximately the same age as a typical beef and tell me the difference between the two.

Blanket statement.

 

[fest3er]

Fortunately they mostly are. Knowing what goes into the day to day operations I can tell you this is no small feat, especially given the hardships my family has been through in the last 2-3 years. To say I'm proud of them would be the understatement of the year.

I'm obliquely familiar with farming; spent enough vacations and time off out there planting, combining, and hauling grain to town. Years ago, three cousins 'combined' their farms, had gotten up to around 3000 acres of crops, and ran a 1000-head dairy milking thrice daily. They were among the first in Minn. to computerize. They were in the top ten in Minn. They've mostly retired and shut down the dairy, though they still farm. Another cousin and his sons are working their way up to 1000 head dairy operation (if not already there) and around 2000 acres of crops. I don't think either has ever resorted to dumping the milk on the ground (due to insultingly low prices), but they've come close a time or two.

Like getting old, farming ain't for sissies.

 

[BIGNASTY]

There’s no good cuts on a dairy cow.

You DONT want to be buying store bought beef then!!!!!!

 

[JR]

I don't think either has ever resorted to dumping the milk on the ground (due to insultingly low prices), but they've come close a time or two.

Not much has changed. On a good week profits are barely marginal. Dairy Farmers have got to be some of the best business people there are.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Not much has changed. On a good week profits are barely marginal. Dairy Farmers have got to be some of the best business people there are.

Thats "IF" you want Pasteurized Milk, When we moved to IN we did without milk until we got our Preferred livestock moved. Theres a Local Yuppie Desingner Dairy that sells QUALITY Pasteurized Dairy Products "Oberweis Dairy" Its an OK product but after drinking RAW milk for as long as we have its NOT THE SAME. Butter that tastes like it did on the farm, Buttermilk and cornbread in a glass isn't the same with store bought Buttermilk, Cottage Cheese, Cheeses and all the other NON PASTEURIZED Dairy is MUCH TASTIER

Sorry for going off track of the OP

 

[jhenderson]

Like I said blanket statement. Commercial dairy = processed meat or dog food. Most dairy cows live many times beyond the lifespan of a beef cow and the hormones used in a commercial dairy make the beef that much worse over the years.

Now go find a local farmer that feeds his herd naturally and has butchered a cow approximately the same age as a typical beef and tell me the difference between the two.

Blanket statement.

Funny. When I was in high school a family friend used to take calves from the local dairy farmer so the cow could go back into production. The heifers eventually went back to the dairy to prove out and the steers went to market at a fraction of what a Hereford would pay. After helping butcher one of those steers for their own use it was easy to see why. A bunch of bones in a leather bag. Poor marbling, more waste. Almost all was ground. Before you make a statement about feed, they ate the same as the Herefords on the place.

 

[jhenderson]

You DONT want to be buying store bought beef then!!!!!!

You DO want to know who you’re dealing with.

 

[jhenderson]

Non of this discussion should detract from the fact that cattle thieves, like all who steal rather than work for a living should rot in hell.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Not much has changed. On a good week profits are barely marginal. Dairy Farmers have got to be some of the best business people there are.

They are some pretty smart fellers. Dairy cows are only productive for a set amount of time YES some are longer some shorter but at a point of time they are sent to slaughter poor producers are sent early. They have to be alive and pass a health test to be used for food Both human and Dog food. Think about it next time you order up a FAST FOOD BURGER

 

[JR]

Funny. When I was in high school a family friend used to take calves from the local dairy farmer so the cow could go back into production. The heifers eventually went back to the dairy to prove out and the steers went to market at a fraction of what a Hereford would pay. After helping butcher one of those steers for their own use it was easy to see why. A bunch of bones in a leather bag. Poor marbling, more waste. Almost all was ground. Before you make a statement about feed, they ate the same as the Herefords on the place.

So your making your assessment based on one steer. OK, how about this. You eat whats in your freezer and I'll eat whats in mine.

FYI a Holsteins required diet is different than a beef steer, wether its a cow or a steer is irrelevant. If they were giving him the same feed as a beef steer it's no wonder the meat was lean. But I'm sure you already knew that .

 

[BIGNASTY]

So your making your assessment based on one steer. OK, how about this. You eat whats in your freezer and I'll eat whats in mine.

FYI a Holsteins required diet is different than a beef steer, wether its a cow or a steer is irrelevant. If they were giving him the same feed as a beef steer it's no wonder the meat was lean. But I'm sure you already knew that .

Dairy is fed an ENORMOUS amount of salt so they drink more water and subsequently produce more milk. Dairy Manure for garden OR lawn isn't always a wise choice for this reason.

Our Beef & Dairy eat the same thing!!! Grass fed beef is Great and the Dairy milk seems a bit sweeter
This Rascal tasted good so far!!

 

[jhenderson]

So your making your assessment based on one steer. OK, how about this. You eat whats in your freezer and I'll eat whats in mine.

FYI a Holsteins required diet is different than a beef steer, wether its a cow or a steer is irrelevant. If they were giving him the same feed as a beef steer it's no wonder the meat was lean. But I'm sure you already knew that .

I’m basing it on what I saw PLUS the fact that the Holstein steers and unproven heifers brought far less per pound from the local cattle buyers. After that you’re right. Personal preference. I’ll bet given the choice of a Porterhouse from an Angus or a Holstein I know which one you’d pick.

 

[JR]

I’ll bet given the choice of a Porterhouse from an Angus or a Holstein I know which one you’d pick.

Wellll, now we're on a whole nother' topic

But the real topic is what is "good" enough, and more importantly to "me," what can safely and happily feed my family. Economics and all.

Its like butchering a hen that you've been collecting eggs off of for how long, her breasts may not amount to anything like what you can buy at the store but you know the history. And that trumps proportion size and to a lesser degree, flavor. Which is subject to opinion.

 

[jhenderson]

Wellll, now we're on a whole nother' topic

But the real topic is what is "good" enough, and more importantly to "me," what can safely and happily feed my family. Economics and all.

Its like butchering a hen that you've been collecting eggs off of for how long, her breasts may not amount to anything like what you can buy at the store but you know the history. And that trumps proportion size and to a lesser degree, flavor. Which is subject to opinion.

I couldn’t agree more. Happy Thanksgiving.

 

[JR]

I couldn’t agree more. Happy Thanksgiving.

And Happy Thanksgiving to you as well!