guernsey/jersey cross

We had one of these as our primary milk cows growing up. A fey thing at first, due to being mistreated by her first owners (she could jump fences like a deer), but we gradually won her over with a lot of brushing and home made molasses grain treats (like a granola). She provided milk and healthy calves for many years. We'd always rub her behind the ears when romping through the pasture.

There is nothing like freshly strained milk still warm from the cow. We'd run ours through a hand crank milk/cream separator, and thus always had lots of dairy products on hand. Combined with a couple of goats, we sold milk, cream, and eggs to neighbours. An old fridge stood on the porch. People would pick up their items, drop off empty containers, and place money in the jar on top of the fridge.

I wish everyone could live on a holistic farm like what you describe. It's hard work and you feel a lot of responsibility for the well being of everything and it feels good when everyone is healthy and happy. Of course it's not all sunshine and roses. While we did raise (other) animals for slaughter, they all had wonderful comfortable lives right up until the last possible moment.