A2A2 milk

[cabinguy]

What do you all think about A2A2 milk ?
For the last 5-6 years we have been working on breeding A2A2 Mini Jerseys.
We started with a mid sized A2A2 Jersey cow and have breed down to Mini the, Mini's were just to expensive.
Now we kind of prefer mid size over mini cause their easier to milk.
Currently we have a small herd of 5 cows/ heifers working on homestead genetics.
Now we are breeding towards A2A2,polled, BB kappa casein and BB lactoglobulin.
So far we have breed one heifer with these characteristics.
Our thinking is this combo would make a good homestead cow healthy milk, lots of cream and
increased cheese yield.

 

[NH Homesteader]

I've only read a little about A2A2 milk. I think it is fantastic to breed for a good homestead cow. I adore Dexters but the price is astronomical. I have dairy goats instead but I've always thought a cow might be great someday...

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I've thought about a cow too - for the ease of getting the cream. Used to think about it - but now I guess I'll just stick with tha goats...

I'm uninformed about the A2 milk...maybe because I've used goat milk for so many years, lol.

 

[Mini Horses]

Goats are A2A2. Period. Yeah I wanted a cow -- for the cream -- but the cream separator is less expensive to buy & maintain Then I'd rather sweep poo pebbles than scrape cow patties.

BACK to cows. (Love Jerseys and Dexters -- CL had a jersey cow bred to dexter bull. Really had to stop myself!)

Cows used to be majorly A2A2, then the "know it alls" got involved and here we are trying to get back to it. Never really studied into the other traits you mention as I have no cow and decided to not buy any. When you get 4-7 gal a day from a good cow, that's a LOT of milk! Then you need to use it and so on.

That is a major reason some people use goats, instead.

So far we have breed one heifer with these characteristics.
Our thinking is this combo would make a good homestead cow healthy milk, lots of cream and
increased cheese yield.

This would be great for all dairy animals and those fortunate enough to have a small homestead would be greatly interested, I'm sure. It does take some educating to have users realize what they are getting, just as they have to know and buy into the discipline of milking EVERY day, 2X a day, without fail....no matter the animal. If your passion is this improvement in your herd, go for it! We all need a goal.

Agree the pricing for minis, on the surface, is way too much. And I say this knowing buying and selling -- "mini" horses & donkeys. Then some people do not realize how long it takes to get to this point, then sustain it, and with quality. I paid dearly and sold the same.

FarmerJan will probably log in and reply. Now, she's in the business of milk! And in beef cattle, too. Waiting for her.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Goats are A2A2.

Told ya I didn't no nothing 'bout no A2A2, lol. But, no wonder I like it!

 

[baymule]

What great goals to have. Sound like y'all are getting there. I like Jerseys and those are just more reasons to like them even more.

@Mini Horses when you have too much milk, get feeder pigs! Milk fed pork, soured corn soaked in milk...… makes some bodacious pork!

 

[Mini Horses]

@Mini Horses when you have too much milk, get feeder pigs! Milk fed pork, soured corn soaked in milk...… makes some bodacious pork!

I know, I know.....but, sold all my AGHs because I didn't feel like messing with pigs. Maybe later...maybe not. Just decided I couldn't try to do "everything". Right now, goats, chickens and the aging minis are it. Gotta retire first

 

[cabinguy]

Thanks for all the reply's I was thinking their was going to be more controversy about A2A2 milk and I only talked about milk quality and little about the traits of the cow that I'm breeding for such as food consumption,pasture grazing,easy calving,longevity and good "handles" for hand milking. Dexters are great dual purpose cows dairy and beef and small for a homestead setting. We always seem to be able to use our milk for something butter,yogurt,cheese,kiefer,treating the barn cats or fertilizer our Amish neighbor says never throw milk away. I was thinking a great combo would be to raise pigs each year as Bay suggested to use excess milk. Its been a few years since we have use to raise two a year and named them spit (for a hog roast ) and freezer . The 1st year we moved to the cabin had two piglets one got loose and it ran the city for two weeks the wife got daily sighting reports and finally our neighbor caught him in his flock of sheep.

 

[wyoDreamer]

I was reading the other day about Vitamin K2 and how important it is for good health.
"One of its most important functions is to regulate calcium deposition. In other words, it promotes the calcification of bones and prevents the calcification of blood vessels and kidneys " from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-k2#functions

A good source of Vitamin K2 is high-fat dairy products from grass-fed cows.

 

[Lazy Gardener]

This discussion points back to the fact that we have lost so very much of what USED TO BE a good healthy diet.