I went and did it !!

springvalley · #21 12/03/10, 09:43 PM

Listed them on family cow today. > Thanks Marc

Creamers · #22 12/05/10, 09:06 PM

I hate to hear this, but it sounds like you've come to the best decision for you and your family at this time, and I hope they sell quick and at a fair price!

springvalley · #23 12/28/10, 04:57 AM

Update !!!!! STILL have them, still dumping milk. Had a few calls but nothing has come of them yet. Don`t think anyone else wants milk cows about now either. > Marc

glenn amolenaar · #24 12/28/10, 07:54 AM

Marc,
I have not found any free calves here in S/W MO. but they are down some what in price. I'm feeding a few bottle calves now and adding more, downside is milk replacer is $58.00 a sack. The cold weather beats fighting flies. Are you dumping milk in tank or down drain?

We quit dairy farming several years ago, but continue to raise bottle calves dont miss the milking part. Problem is my body clock is stuck on 4am cant get off the schedule.
Glenn

springvalley · #25 12/28/10, 08:37 AM

Well Glenn, I`m dumping milk out of the tank, and into milk cans, then I feed it to my pigs. My problem is that when it gets to be winter my milk customers don`t come as often for milk, I put a notice in the milkhouse about the middle of November, stating that if sales didn`t pick up by December we were going to sell off some cows and would sell milk to our steady regular customers first, then all other on first come first serve. It hung there two weeks before anyone saw it, then it was, I hope I`m one of your steady regulars as I don`t want to loose getting my milk. Man people really don`t seem to care that I may not be doing this soon. Going to put a listing in Wis. craig list this week, so if you guys up there see it, let me know. > Thanks Marc

Liberty's Ledge · #26 12/28/10, 08:38 AM

Marc, I know some people who "Share" their animals. Share is in quotes because I don't mean that they just pass them around the neighborhood but they actually sell a share of the cow or goat. They do it in quarter shares. Each person owns a quarter of the cow, quarter of the cost and quarter of the production. As in most areas, there are a lot of people who have no interest in buying a cow but they sure would like to get the milk at a reasonable price. If you are getting out of it because of cost and not because you don't want to do it anymore, this could be an option. Best part is the person has part ownership in the cow and can come pick up their raw milk without hassle. May not be an option for you but I have seen it work with goats here locally. You won't likely get rich but you won't dump milk either. Some small time hog producers might just take you up on a deal like that. Hate to see farmers stop farming or good produce go down the drain.

Texasdirtdigger · #27 12/28/10, 09:12 AM

Ohhhh Marc..... This just make me ill. Dangthiseconomy!
Best wishes, my friend.

springvalley · #28 12/28/10, 02:22 PM

Have a guy from Arizona coming to look at them for someone else, they may be headed to Texas if they buy them. Not so sure about that as they would be going into a bigger dairy, and you all know what I think about the mega dairies. > Later Marc

sde219 · #29 12/28/10, 10:56 PM

Hi Marc:

Pretty sure I saw an ad on the Madison craigslist matching your herd - non-certified organic Jerseys?

Do you have a few bred heifers or cows particularly well suited to be a family cow? We already have a milking shorthorn but honestly she's a bit bigger than I think works well with our land so I was hoping to find a smaller Jersey or two.

Steve

springvalley · #30 12/28/10, 11:03 PM

That was sure our ad Steve, I will keep you on my list, I want to sell the herd if I can, but may sell off a few if they don`t go soon. > Marc

DaleK · #31 12/29/10, 07:33 AM

You might try contacting Jersey Canada or Jersey Ontario http://www.jerseyontario.ca/

Last I heard they were claiming they couldn't get enough Jerseys and they often know who's looking for a small herd.

springvalley · #32 12/29/10, 02:08 PM

Thanks Dale, when we started the dairy we looked at some heifers out of Canada, I just didn`t think I wanted to break 20 heifers to milk at one time. Probly could have made me start drinking over that one. > Thanks marc