The dairy cow is the foundation of Amish dairy economics.
Breeds
Holstein: record yields (30-40 l/day), but demanding feed. Jersey: less milk (15-25 l), but fattier (5-6% vs 3.5%). Better for butter and cheese. Brown Swiss: middle ground, popular with Amish.
Milking
Twice daily: 5 AM and 5 PM. By hand: 10-15 min per cow. Pneumatic milker (some communities): 5 min. Strain milk, cool in spring water or ice tank.
Products from One Cow
20 l milk/day = 7,300 l/year. Family drinking 4 l/day (1,460 l). Rest: butter (50-70 kg/yr), cheese (100-150 kg), cream, cottage cheese. Sales: $2,000-4,000/year.
Care
Pasture summer (0.5-1 acre per cow). Hay winter (10-15 kg/day). Water: 80-150 liters/day. Hoof trimming twice yearly. Vet: for births and illness.
Calves
Cow calves once yearly. Heifer → future dairy cow. Bull calf → meat in 18-24 months or sale.