Also, I'm thinking about getting a cow this year, a Jersey. any thoughts? cow owners? dairy guys?

[fasttense]

9. A Jersey's milk tends to have a high fat content.

But does not produce as much as a Holstein. A Holsteins gives more milk but it is lower in fats.

After the calf is born and the colostrum is done, the cow will produce a lot of milk. She will eventually dry up maybe in about 6 years (if she is milked regularly sooner if not milked) or so if she does not have another calf. But in about a year the milk quantities will noticeably reduce and they will be in cycles - in spring she'll give more and in winter she may not give any. It depends on the cow, how old she is and how well fed she is. That is why dairy farmers breed their cows every 7 to 12 months, to keep the high quantities of milk flowing.

If you fail to milk a cow regularly, twice a day, the cow will dry up or get sick. That's why Farm sitters make good money during vacation season from smaller dairy farmers.