milk tases like COW

[liebrecht]

I am not new to Dexters, I lost my first cow a couple years ago when she was 2 mos shy of 26. I got her when she was 7.

Salt just calved a couple weeks ago, She missed last year so no milking then. However, her milk tastes like COW. Pep was the same last year. The only difference I can figure is feed. Southern States VS Purina ( milk was okay then). It can't be handling of the milk as I am doing nothing different than I have done for 20 years! I am going to change feed to see if that makes a difference. But unless I find a solution, I am not not not hand milking cows to toss the milk. It is THAT icky. Has anybody else had this problem? And more important a SOLUTION!!! Thanks.

Liebrecht

[theburrowfarm]

I've got a short leg that was that way last year.I tried everything to fix it except change the ration.Immediately putting the milk in the freezer without a lid helped a lot .I've switched the feed this year just waiting for the calves to drop.

[liebrecht]

Thanks. I do put milk in the freezer right away to chill it fast. I will try the no lid part. I had *assumed* it was just Pepper but Salt was okay 2 years ago. This year....ICK!

Liebrecht

[quiverfulldexters]

I'm interested to find out if you figured out why the milk was tasting bad or how to correct it? I have two Dexters, same pasture, calved one day apart. One has great milk, the other one is horrible - tastes like a cow. I have checked her for ketosis. I am chilling my milk in the freezer without a lid, but it doesn't seem to make a difference.

[Star Creek Dexters]

I recently got an email from someone having this same problem.
Here's a couple of things I have tried in the past that worked great.
1. Adding Wheat Gern oil to her daily ration. Wheat Germ oil is naturally occuring vit E and will eliminate any off taste in milk from weeds or strong grasses in her diet. Start with a Tbsp a day and work up to 3-4 to see if this is the problem.

Also, Dolomite helped me tremendously a couple of years ago with really off milk. Dolomite is a calcium supplement. If there is a calcium definciency then your milk is going to taste awful. Start by adding 1 tbsp to her daily ration, adding a little more each day until it corrects the taste or you get little white flakes in your milk, which is a sign of too much calcium and your sign to cut back.
I use Wheat Germ oil on a daily basis all year with all my lactating animals, and dolomite as needed for taste improvement. They've worked great for me.

Hope this helps you some!

[Olga]

My remedie for this has always been: chill it as fast as possible with lid OFF - that is key! If you are uncomfortable with the jug being completely open, cover it with cheese cloth or a hankie.

[theburrowfarm]

My son has the best remedy Hersey's syrup.

[theburrowfarm]

Last year boog's milk smelled like cow.We have just started milking her again this year the only issue now is the milk tastes like butter.at least it doesn't smell anymore.

[bbmuddywolf]

I will be starting to take milk firm my cow soon--first time for dealing with raw milk. If a lot of you suggest cooling the milk down quickly, is this right after milking or after pasturizing it or do you not pasteurize your milk?

[zephyrhillsusan]

bbmuddywolf , we drink our milk raw and have never had a problem with the taste; it keeps well for weeks. The way I cool the milk is to pour it into jars (sterilized in the dishwasher with a sani-rinse after washing), set the jar in a large stainless bowl, put ice cubes in the bowl and fill it with cold water. This helps cool the milk quickly because the ice water is in contact with the jar. That night or next day I take the jar out of the ice water.

If you want to start milking, I recommend that you check out Keeping a Family Cow forum.  There are lots of milkers there, many who milk Dexters, too, and a ton of helpful resources.  I've adjusted my milking routine based on what I've learned there.  I thoroughly (all the way around each teat) pre-spray each teat with iodine teat dip, leave it for at least 30 seconds, then wipe it off before milking.  (You can re-wipe with disposable teat wipes if you're worried about the iodine.)  I used to use water, but don't anymore because water dripping down the teat can carry bacteria to the teat orifice and thus enter the udder, causing mastitis.  I also recommend post-dipping or spraying when done milking; if you keep the calf on its dam you can wipe the dip off after 30 seconds.  You'll find plenty of milkers who still wash an udder, but this is the method I follow and recommend.

Proper sanitation measures and milk handling procedure have a lot to do with having good-tasting, safe raw milk.  (Referring back to the original post on this thread, feed can be a factor, too, of course, but it's not the only factor.)  Be sure to always thoroughly rinse your milk equipment (buckets, strainers, jars, etc.) in lukewarm water to remove milk residue before washing in hot water.  If you start out with hot water, the protein in the milk can coagulate and form a film on the equipment, called milk stone, which can interfere with cleanliness.

[bbmuddywolf]

Thanks again for your help. It must have been the big city boy coming out again in that inquiry.

[zephyrhillsusan]

You're welcome, bbmuddywolf, a lot of us on here were city boys and girls when we got our first Dexter! I think it's great that you're asking questions, because I'll bet you other people have the same questions and are reading the answers along with you.

My rainbow avatar with my cow wearing a tiara is my answer to a troll on another forum a couple years ago who slammed Dexters, saying that in his area of the country Dexters were the sole provenance of "amateur mentality nouveau country girls from the city who think that farming is all misty mornings and rainbows." He later reminded us that "life is not a Disney movie." So I ordered the rainbow get-up and put the tiara on my cow--why not wear my "city girl identity" like a badge of honor?