E-1-0 Affording a family cow

[YoungFogey]

Okay, most kind and knowledgeable folks, here's my question...

First, some background info: one of the aftershocks of losing my mom is that the house where I've lived with her (and my father, when he was alive) since 1989, being part of her estate, is being sold. I have very mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, it's a wrenching experience to pull up roots of such duration! On the other, this place is on a quarter-acre in the heart of suburbia (now, it wasn't when we moved up here in '89).

In contrast, the place I'm currently planning to move to, an "in-law suite" attached to the house of my friends from whom I buy free-range organic eggs, is MUCH smaller, but it's on a 3.5-acre farmette in a much more rural part of the county, currently with three (I think) horses, a half-dozen goats, and a bunch of chickens. And although they haven't said a definitive "yes," they have made amenable noises to the idea of my keeping a "family cow" there. The milk would be shared between, at this point, me, them (husband, wife, and five kids), and a friend of mine who wants milk for her family of four. Still might not use it all up, but the chickens would enjoy the clabber!

There is a small grassy paddock (where the goats used to live, before they got their new spot) that "Bessie" could live in/on, and I'm thinking there might be some sort of run-in shed where milking could take place at one end. If not, one might have to be built/bought. But let's assume for the moment that such "infrastructure" already exists. My question is, how much would it actually cost to keep a family cow, annually? Figure hay year-round, as the paddock is not all that big (maybe an eighth of an acre, and that may be generous) -- although we might be able to work out a rotation with the horses; there are three other, larger paddocks.

But for the sake of argument, say hay needs to be purchased, all year. Then there are doubtless other expenses... probably lots of them, and mostly ones I haven't thought of. What do I need to think of purchasing, in order for this to work, and how much is it all likely to cost? Of course, Joann goes into some of this in her book, but prices have changed since it was published, and I'd also just like to hear what folks have to say on the subject. I know prices (for hay, etc.) differ by region, but I'm just looking for a ballpark, here. Any & all input greatly appreciated!

Many thanks,

Tom

[Tricia]

This is such good news.
This is what I feed. In winter Molly goes through about 1 bale a day. Plus she gets beet pulp, mollasses and some alfalfa cubes while in milk in the winter. Hay around here can go for $2.50 - $4.00 a bale. The other stuff for month maybe $30

[wyomama]

A lactating/pregnant cow needs 2-3# per 100# of her bodyweight of feed a day. The majority of that should be grass or hay. So, a 1200# cow will need about 25 - 40# of hay a day. A small bale of hay, depending on whether it's grass or alfalfa and how it's put up will weigh anywhere from 50# to 100#. Most of the time they are a little over 60#. Grain can be just a basic grain (9% - 11% protein) if the protein content of your hay is high enough. If the protein content of your hay is low, you will want to use a higher protein dairy ration, which will be more $$$. How much grain you will feed depends on your cow's metabolism, and your principles. My cows get about 6# a day, plus kelp. With no grass, it costs me between 2.75 and 3.00 per day to feed a cow. My alfalfa hay is 3.40 per 65# bale, my grain is 9.75 per 50# bag. Leaving room for incidentals, (teat cream, other supplements, AI) $1500 per year is probably pretty close.

[Liz]

About the cow, I think the estimates are dead on for cost. You know the things to discuss beforehand---who has what share to the cow, how much will the extended family and friends pay for milk (goes back into the cow maintenance fund). If you figure 125/month for her expenses, and you sell 20 gallons a month (5 gallons per week), at even a very low price of $5/gallon, she is almost paying for herself. The amount of milk will of course vary, many times you will have more than that to sell, or barter. (have folks put into the hay fund instead of paying for milk)
The other thing is calves, talk about how to divvy up the meat or procedes from selling a heifer calf.

It is very doable and I say go for it!!!

If there is open, clear communication about everyones expectations and every possible eventuality, then it should work out just fine!
If you pay for the cow and they provide the shelter/land/water, that seems pretty even for me. They have no initial cost, but will be paying monthly in useage, after a year or two the cost to each party is probably even.

Keep us posted!!!
Liz

[cutiepie6]

Tom--
Be sure and get it all in writing.
We did a partnership thing with our best friends a few years back(not with a cow, but a business--which is how you should handle the cow idea--as a business), and it got ugly.
The partners were greedy, and would have sold us down the river for a nickel. And we never saw it in their character. Even though we were very close, personal friends with them.
I signed a bunch of legal documents with the guy who I buy my raw milk from in this town. I read it thoroughly, and it is basically a rental agreement of the cow. It covered his butt, and also left everything totally crystal clear to me, the consumer.
He has all the say so of the cows (and the headaches*G*), while I enjoy the benefits of his labors.
I REALLY think you should consider this plan of action, because you could have a bad situation on your hands if one of the families became greedy with their milk, or decided they were entitled to more quantities of milk because of their relationship to the cow or you. Then there's the problem with who pays the feed bill, and what if one of them decides to not pay for their alloted time slot, and still demands milk?
I can see this in People's Court in a heartbeat.
Don't seal it with a handshake. A verbal agreement, though nice if you wear rose colored lenses, never holds up in the real world.
Think about this loooooooooooong and hard. CYOB!!!!!(Cover your own butt)
Carrie
PS Just thought of another reason why you need a contract--what if they decide to sell your cow? Or you decide to sell your cow, and they lay claim to half of the profit from its sale?
Whoa.
Lot's of pitfalls if you don't make your postion as cow owner VERY CLEAR.
HTH!!!!!

[Tim in NY]

I'd be careful with this. It would be good to very thoroughly discuss every aspect of the relationship. Especially if you are friends with these folks. It is very easy to have an unintended miscommunication that will end in bad feelings and broken friendships.
If you are renting, will you have a lease? If you have a lease, is the cow going to be on it? If you don't have a lease and things get ugly they can kick you out and you will need to be out by the end of the month. That's not a long time to figure out what to do with your cow. And if you do have a lease and they agree to the cow and then they change their minds about the cow you are pretty much sure to end up with some hard feelings and resentments. It is really easy for different people to have totally different views about the same situation. The other thing is feed and pasture. How do they have the pastures set up. If they have 3.5 acres, is it all pasture? Even with 3.5, with 3 horses and a bunch of goats there is not much left for your Bessie. And if they love the horses are they likely to see that the cow gets the good fresh grass ahead of them? Do they rotate the 3.5 or set stock it with the horses? Horses are really good at overgrazing a pasture if they are set stocked. Plus you are going to need hay and feed. Are you going to buy it from them or with them? Will the cow's hay be stored with the horse and goat hay? How will you tell if they've fed the cow some of your hay? Are they going to milk if you leave? Do they have housing for a cow? I'm not trying to be a downer, but just think ahead at possible problems so you can avoid them.

[YoungFogey]

Many thanks for all your wonderful and helpful responses! You've given me much to think about, and fortunately I have time to do so. We shall see what the future brings... and of course, this is only a temporary solution, I hope and pray! I shall be looking for a more permanent (and larger) place to live, hopefully with at least a few acres attached. And if I'm across the border in Pennsylvania, as I may well be, I can even sell milk legally, rather than having to work out some round-the-mulberry-bush method to get rid of surplus milk and bring in some $$$ at the same time... Well, as I say, we shall see. Thanks again for all your input!

Tom