OK, one more. How much?

From the Dairy State...

Fantasymaker,

The figures were given for an average U.S. cow. That production average would be obtained from a professional dairy farmer, not a first time hobby farmer. A newbie would probably only achieve half the average. Blue8ewe cited "growing family of 15".
This indicates a steady increase in their consumption of dairy products. I must say, 1.5-2 gallons of milk a day is too low for a family of 15. "Milk does a body good."

You forgot to figure in for their ice cream, butter, cheese, etc. For example, it takes 10 lbs. of milk to make 1 lb. of cheese!

The crux of the matter is not the figures, it's guaranteeing their dairy needs for 365 days a year. Due to calving, mastisis, etc., they need two cows to guarantee their supply. BTW: Cows like company...the more content they are, the more they produce.

The biggest herd of cows I ever managed was only 56. My cousin in Indiana manages 300 on 1000 acres.

Well King, don't get caught running around on the Super Bowl field this weekend;-)

I have a family of just 5 and we go through a gallon of milk a day easily. That doesn't even include cheese and butter and ice cream. If I made those myself the amount of milk we would go through would be much higher.

Heather

[QUOTE=Rocky Fields]From the Dairy State...The figures were given for an average U.S. cow. That production average would be obtained from a professional dairy farmer, not a first time hobby farmer. A newbie would probably only achieve half the average. Blue8ewe cited "growing family of 15".
.........................................The crux of the matter is not the figures, it's guaranteeing their dairy needs for 365 days a year. Due to calving, mastisis, etc., they need two cows to guarantee their supply. BTW: Cows like company...the more content they are, the more they produce.

QUOTE]
LOL So what you did was give a bunch of figgers and then ignore them? whats the point in that? Surely you didnt think I expected her to buy a little less than half a cow?
Also as a dairy farmer you know what its like to be married to a cow now with just one cow and accepting a period of time when there wont be any milk you see what happens? yep a breck from the cow! and better yet a much more efficant situation .
They would have fresh milk 85% of the time with one cow and if they access some prefrozen milk might reach a 100%
Im not sure the crux is to garantee 100% availability as much as it is to live effeciantly.On the other hand they may chose to use some of the avalilable labor to run a dairy enterprize I bellive she has spoken of an interest in dairy sheep.
Maybe blue would give her thoughts on that?