The Cows

All right, this is a little weird, I know, but I would like to introduce you to all my cows. They're a happy bunch, if not the most well-bred animals in the world, and always ready to amble over to you and have their heads scratched.

	HYDEAWAY BLUE MOON Sire: Leon-Thom Rocket Moonshot Blue Moon has just finished her first lactation, peaking around 18 litres a day. At the time of this photograph, she's just a few days away from having her first calf, who turned out to be a heifer.
	HYDEAWAY FREYA Sire: Leon-Thom Rocket Moonshot Freya promises to be one of my best cows. Now in her first lactation, she produces about 18 litres a day, though she has not yet peaked.
	HYDEAWAY XF FIONA Sire: Uh... Frikkie. He came out of a registered herd. Best not to ask. Fiona comes straight of the Hydeaway herd; my parents, who are the most amazing parents in the whole world in case you haven't noticed, gave her to me when she was just a tiny calf. She's doing well for a cow who is getting on in years; stronger with each lactation. She reached a peak of 24 litres per day in her fourth lactation. Her solids are also extremely good, with her butterfat frequently over 5% - sometimes even over 6%.
	HYDEAWAY XF BENITA TRUE Sire: Haystack Mo Jake Benita, like many Jake daughters, gets stronger with each lactation. This very shy cow has a gentle and unassuming demeanour. She's reaching a peak of 23 litres per day, now in her third lactation.
	HYDEAWAY XF BOKMAKIERIE Sire: Haystack Mo Jake Whenever this outgoing cow is not trying to lick you to death, she produces the most milk of all my cows. After her less-than-exciting third lactation, reaching a peak of 22 litres a day, Bokmakierie flew into her fourth lactation and peaked at 30 litres a day.
	HYDEAWAY FIRN Sire: Leon-Thom Rocket Moonshot During her first lactation, Firn Junior touched on 20 litres a day at her peak. She is a month or two into her second lactation and already producing around 22 litres a day.
	HYDEAWAY XF BABE Sire: Probably Frikkie. Don't ask. Babe, born in 2004, was my first heifer calf. I was seven years old and tried to kill anyone who attempted to bottle feed MY calf. Having just completed her fifth lactation, reaching a mediocre 16 litres a day, Babe is still here. She's developed chronic laminitis (hence the arched back) and succeeded in getting my mom to call the Dairy Smith out especially for her, but her calves have been promising. Babe died on 19 February 2012 from that killer of old Jersey cows, milk fever. Rest in peace gentle cow.
	HYDEAWAY KALOS BARBARA Sire: Leon-Thom Rocket Moonshot Promising young Barbara, having had a good first lactation, is now in her second lactation and routinely producing over 20 litres a day. She's a nice-looking cow with an exceptional udder and a goofy personality.
	HYDEAWAY XF BLINKERS Blinkers was my first cow. At the age of fifteen, she's retired, but still comes into heat with frightening regularity. Becoming pregnant was never a problem for Blinkers; surviving the milk fever after calving was. She's now been given the task of keeping a bunch of teenage Frieslands in line.
	HYDEAWAY XF BEST OF THE BEST Sire: Haystack Mo Jake This gentle cow, with her copper colouring, has produced some lovely calves. Bestie becomes better with each lactation, reaching 18 litres/day during her third. She has just started her fourth lactation.
	HYDEAWAY BOKMAKIERIE'S BORINA Sire: Leon-Thom Rocket Moonshot This attractive cow, pictured here as a pregnant heifer, is a few months into her first lactation, and produced about 15-16 litres a day at her peak.