FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Why cows now?: From the time I was eleven until I was married, I spent my summers working on a dairy farm in Ulster County, NY. Those were important times for me. I learned much. I learned to love cows and I learned that I would be a missionary rather than a dairy farmer. The Rev Bernard Mkhabela, a former Bishop of Swaziland, grew up herding his father's cattle on the green hills of Lomahasha. When we talked about the future and retirement, Umfundisi Mkhabela told me that his dream was to return to the hills of the Lobamba Mountains and follow his cattle. I think that he gave me the idea and the hope that in retirement I could keep cattle.
Isn't keeping cows a lot of work?: Cows are work. Setting up to keep cows at Keyes Brook Farm was a lot of work. I had to retrieve pasture that had been over grazed and taken over by shoulder high weeds. I had to erect all new fences. I had to perform extensive repairs on the old dairy barn to provide shelter for me and the animals. Bringing the cows from the pasture and milking one cow is a light and pleasant chore early in the morning as the sun is still coming over the horizon. I buy rather than make hay.
Can you ever get away now?: Yes, we can arrange to get away. We have family and neighbors who can care for and tend our cows for me when we want to travel. Our investment is not like that a farmer makes in a herd of cows nor are we dependent for our income on maintaining our animals at peak milk production. We can miss a milking or two. The calf will drink most of the milk or the cow will produce a little less.
How big a herd will you build?: I would like to keep three or four cows.
What will you do with the calves?: I will raise a couple of promising heifers to eventually succeed Trixy and Tinker Bell. I expect that we will raise one bull calf a year as a steer for meat. Other offspring will be sold to breeders, stockmen or butchers.
Where did you buy the cows?: I bought the cows from John Coffer who farms near Dundee, New York in the Finger Lakes region. I wrote to a dozen breeders and asked if they had animals for sale. John responded that he would sell me his registered Milking Devons. Carol and I visited him and reached agreement on the sale. A Deansboro neighbor helped me transport the cows.
Where can I get more information about American Milking Devon Cattle?: Vist the AMDCA website www.milkingdevons.org for history, photographs, breeders, and other information concering the breed.