Figuring out what you need to feed your dairy animal can be one of the most confusing steps of starting your Milkmaid journey. Different animals have different feed requirements, and feed is very important when it comes to all animals, but especially dairy animals. Dairy animals, whether goat or cow, are very sensitive. They tend to have very specific requirements, and not meeting these requirements can cause a lot of grief.
This masterclass will start off with a few troubleshooting guides to help you figure out what it is you need to be feeding your dairy animal. Whether it be a milk cow or a dairy goat, the goal is that you will have a better understanding of what their dietary requirements are, and will be better able to understand the feed you need to be sourcing.
Next we will take a look at what it takes to make your own feed. In these modules, we will look at both small scale and large scale haying operations so that you can choose one that works best for you and learn the basics behind growing and harvesting your own hay. In this section we will also take a look at what you need to know when buying hay, how to assess condition of hay and how to store your hay properly to keep it in good condition over the winter and rainy seasons.
Finally we will look at how and where to source minerals and grain supplements for your animals and how to store them properly.
Not all feed is equal and this masterclass will show you how to make sure you are feeding your animals the best quality feed, as well as getting the best bang for your buck!
Course Contributors
Robyn Jackson
Cheese From Scratch
Hi, there! I am a Mom to three sweet children, a Rancher, a Homesteader and a Milkmaid. I have been milking a cow and making cheese in my kitchen since 2014. Homestead cheesemaking is something that is dear to my heart. 200 years ago your mother, grandmother, or aunt may have taught you to make cheese; these days it is pretty rare to actually know someone in person who makes cheese. I teach homesteaders how to turn their milk into cheese, and as a life long learner, I am always seeking to listen and learn from other people perspectives and experiences. I am very passionate about traditional skills, homegrown food, and living a slower, more intentional life.
Zach Falkenstein
Diamond Island Cattle Company
Born and raised on a dairy farm in Wisconsin, Zach has grown up immersed in a milk cow lifestyle, before he moved to British Columbia to become a cattle rancher. Zach has extensive experience with custom haying, hay sales, feed management and making feed for both dairy cows and beef cows.
Deanna Ellem
From Queensland Australia, Deanna has been milking cows for 10 years. Living and working on a cattle ranch, Deanna has a love for milk cows and cheesemaking.
Ashley Titman
The Kneaded Homestead
My name is Ashley! We are homesteaders in Mid West Michigan where we have 15 acres of land on which we raise dairy and beef cattle, meat and layer chickens, gardens and children, and yes we even put up our own hay with minimal equipment. We strive to have a low inputs homestead and the key to that is being able to produce some of our own feed.
Morgan Allen
My name is Morgan Allen and I live in Kenyon, MN with my husband, Keith and our two children. We have a herd of registered Oberhasli dairy goats on a small five acre farm. In my professional life, I worked as a Ruminant Nutritionist for Big Gain, Inc. for 19 years consulting on both dairy and dairy goat farms in Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin. I recently made a career change and am now working for Milk Specialties Global as a Nutrition and Formulations Specialist in the R & D, Animal Nutrition division. I work mainly with milk replacer and fat products, but get to help with some research projects like rumen protected methionine and it’s impact on milk protein in goats!