i'm vegan now

[Madilyn's Mom]

Congratulations!!

I'm so happy that you've taken the rewarding leap to veganism!! It may seem a little tough at first (especially the label reading), but it'll be a breeze in no time.
In case you don't already know of these sites, here's a few that might be helpful:
http://www.veganfood.com.au/
http://www.veganperfection.com.au/
http://www.happycow.net/australia/queensland/brisbane/index.html
http://www.caringconsumer.com/resources_ingredients_list.asp

The tastes and textures of vegan 'cheeses' has improved incredibly in recent years (here in the US I love 'Follow Your Heart' products: http://www.followyourheart.com/cheese )

I'm sure that you'll find tasty vegan products there (maybe even better than we have in the US).

Anyway, congrats again, and if I can help guide you in any way---I'll always be more than glad to help!!

 

[mrose_s]

Which is why I mentioned the cost. You have to freshen the cow every year (or couple of years, I forget) with a new calf to get a continued production of milk. That and feed quality greatly affects how much a cow produces milk wise, and what quality of milk. So you're going to have to pay a bit for feed as well. Also a pregnant cow eats a lot more obviously, and won't be able to free range feed as easily so you'll have to buy feed for that too. That and the semen samples, pay a vet to artificially inseminate the cow (as studding would be much too expensive unless you just happen to know a bull owner) and then once you get the calf out, what are you going to do with it? Something tells me you're not going to want to sell it to a feedlot, or other dairy operation where they're 'mistreated'.

yeah i know. they thought of having to deal with the calves put me off for a long time because i didn't know what to do with the male calves. i know that if females are born, i can train them up to be easily handled and easily milked. and sell them to someone that wants a good, kind jersey cow. mum said we'll do all we can to make sure she has girls over boys. but if i a boy comes. then i might be able to sell him as a pet when he is gentle. or possibly breed my cow to a top bull to produce good quality bulls. i dunno yet. i'm still working on alternatives because i also don't want to breed something that will just be slaughtered. mum said i can keep her first boy calf on as a pet also. so chances are i might not even breed her as long as i can find a small farm nearby that i know the cattle are treated and milked fairly,

 

[GlassOnion]

There's a lot you need to know (and a lot of cost) to breed a bull to a 'top bull'. It will cost a lot to get superior semen samples, and if the cow isn't a superior specimen already, then there's nothing you can do about it.

And it's a 50/50 chance of getting a male over a female. You can't try your best to get one or the other, there's nothing you can do about it.

 

[mrose_s]

there are slight little things. for instance, red clover. has a lot of estrugen in it. i've heard that because of that there is more chance of getting a girl but who know's. that may just be stories. probably is.

whether or not i breed her is yet to be decided. but i definelty want a cow. preferably a rescue actually. or a potty calf

 

[GlassOnion]

Yes but that's not the point. You will HAVE to breed her if you want milk from her. If you just want the cow, that's cool. But if you want your cow and the milk too, you gotta breed her.

 

[mrose_s]

yeah, i know that. i dunno. i might breed her. but if there is a good little family farm somewhere nearby. i'll just buy milk from them. i dunno. i usually figure things out as i go.