The most profitable family cow
Aug 21, 2018 17:30:56 GMT -5
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lew92 and sdmilkmaid like this
Post by rd200 on Aug 21, 2018 17:30:56 GMT -5
I want to start out by saying that im glad there are those that can afford to have family cows no matter the cost, but that's not me. They need to pay for themselves and are not right now or maybe break even. I will enjoy doing this regardless but some decisions need to be made and finances are a factor.
That said, what do you think is the most profitable family cow situation in your experience.?? I have 2 cows, low to moderate producers. On pasture mostly, less than 5# of grain/day. 1 calf on the 1st lactation heifer and 2 calves on the 2nd lactation cow. I get enough milk between the 2 for the house. We use it just for drinking (5 kids go Thru gallon a day or more). I dont have time/inclination right now to do cheese, yogurt, etc. And one Hereford cross heifer I'm not sure what to do with yet.
I have minimal inputs into them which is great. They are hearty girls. Of course once summer ends, the hay bill starts to grow rapidly being in WI, grazing isn't very long. I feed hay 8 months out of the year. This year (may 2018 to may 2019) I will spend over $2500 in hay + $300 in bedding.
That's a significant amount of money and that's not counting all the other stuff (grain, vet, minerals, salt, fly spray, AI, seed for pasture, fencing, etc) which I'm sure is another $700++ if not more.
I have purposely wanted lower producing cows because we are 2 hrs away from family and anytime we want to go up by them for something, the cows need to take care of themselves overnight or for 2 days. However, I'm debating either breeding my shorthorn to a higher producing dairy breed instead of beef shorthorn, or buying a cow in milk that's a larger producer. (8+ gallons a day) the reason I'd want more milk is: I'm doing more pigs this year. (10) and I have more customers that want pigs than I have pigs. It just kinda happened, haven't been advertising. I now have 35 layers and they also would love milk.
But my real question is, all that milk would be great to cut feed costs for the pigs and chickens, and have plenty for the house without trying to get my other 2 to let down for me, BUT, then I'm also going to be pumping more money into a higher producing cow. (More grain) than I do my 2 lower producers.
I'm torn, I'm trying to figure out the math and maybe I would sell one of my lower producers and buy a higher producer instead but gosh, I ❤️ my 2 cows and they are really great animals and raise excellent beefy calves.
Thoughts?? I apologize this was so long and I'm sure I've posted something like this before because I've been thinking about it for a while, I just can't find my old post now.
That said, what do you think is the most profitable family cow situation in your experience.?? I have 2 cows, low to moderate producers. On pasture mostly, less than 5# of grain/day. 1 calf on the 1st lactation heifer and 2 calves on the 2nd lactation cow. I get enough milk between the 2 for the house. We use it just for drinking (5 kids go Thru gallon a day or more). I dont have time/inclination right now to do cheese, yogurt, etc. And one Hereford cross heifer I'm not sure what to do with yet.
I have minimal inputs into them which is great. They are hearty girls. Of course once summer ends, the hay bill starts to grow rapidly being in WI, grazing isn't very long. I feed hay 8 months out of the year. This year (may 2018 to may 2019) I will spend over $2500 in hay + $300 in bedding.
That's a significant amount of money and that's not counting all the other stuff (grain, vet, minerals, salt, fly spray, AI, seed for pasture, fencing, etc) which I'm sure is another $700++ if not more.
I have purposely wanted lower producing cows because we are 2 hrs away from family and anytime we want to go up by them for something, the cows need to take care of themselves overnight or for 2 days. However, I'm debating either breeding my shorthorn to a higher producing dairy breed instead of beef shorthorn, or buying a cow in milk that's a larger producer. (8+ gallons a day) the reason I'd want more milk is: I'm doing more pigs this year. (10) and I have more customers that want pigs than I have pigs. It just kinda happened, haven't been advertising. I now have 35 layers and they also would love milk.
But my real question is, all that milk would be great to cut feed costs for the pigs and chickens, and have plenty for the house without trying to get my other 2 to let down for me, BUT, then I'm also going to be pumping more money into a higher producing cow. (More grain) than I do my 2 lower producers.
I'm torn, I'm trying to figure out the math and maybe I would sell one of my lower producers and buy a higher producer instead but gosh, I ❤️ my 2 cows and they are really great animals and raise excellent beefy calves.
Thoughts?? I apologize this was so long and I'm sure I've posted something like this before because I've been thinking about it for a while, I just can't find my old post now.