Eating your cow

Kathy Millar · Post by **Kathy Millar** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 6:03 am

I am planning to downsize my herd from 2 cows to one (please, don't laugh

) as I am finding out just how much land I need for so many animals and how much poop these guys can leave behind in the barn overnight. I would like to know what a 6 year old cow is like for eating. Is she too tough for the usual steaks and roasts? Should I have her made into mince and sausages? Will she be strong tasting? Our butchering costs are pretty high here too and it just doesn't pay to keep cattle especially when you have to feed bought-in hay 8 months of the year.

PeterO · Post by **PeterO** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 9:11 am

Kill them both Kathy - as a herd animal it is not really fair to keep one - although in the old days 'the house cow' wasn't unusual it was probably grazed on common land with others.

Peter

ps I am told 4 or 5 year old beef is fine.

Inger · Post by **Inger** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 12:47 pm

We've eaten three 6 year old cows. No problem at all.

I hope the remaining cow is a few years old as well though. Young cows don't cope with being on their own. An older cow with a calf can manage, but not a young cow or heifer.

wagra dexters · Post by **wagra dexters** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 1:16 pm

And I thought I was a night owl, Inger!! I am so sorry, Kathy, that you have had to make what must be a difficult decision.

jim · Post by **jim** » Fri Feb 23, 2007 1:21 am

But Kathy-why kill the cow? If she is a decent example of a Dexter, I'll trade you a nice little two year old bull ready for slaughter!

Kathy Millar · Post by **Kathy Millar** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 5:33 pm

Jim, Polly is dehorned (beautifully, I might add) 6 years old, registered and red. The only reason I am not keeping her is I am really attached to her mother who is a real rascal and a bit ugly (don't ask! Love is blind...). E-mail me privately if you are interested. Polly may be pregnant (bred to Saltaire Platinum and due mid-May).

Daphne won't be alone because she will have a calf at foot, a yearling and a 2 year old (for the summer). I would never keep a cow by itself. I'm just trying to be one of those tough farmer-types.....I even have a John Deere cap and a vest from some seed company...