need dairy owner advice

johnson · #1 09/18/11, 07:20 AM

i'm think about opening a cheese dairy and creamery. it would be small, sustainable, grassfed operation on 30 acres with 35 leased acres at another location. we currently milk for our own and neighbors consumption. in louisiana selling raw milk is illegal so i thought selling cheese from on farm creamery might be a good way to go. anyone else doing something similar? will post the same question in the dairy forum. thanks all.

myersfarm · #2 09/18/11, 12:29 PM

Ask Ozark Jewels she does that now.....would think it takes a lot of equipment to do it right

ozark_jewels · #3 09/18/11, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myersfarm

Ask Ozark Jewels she does that now.....would think it takes a lot of equipment to do it right

Not anymore! Ask me about Tyranny, I'll talk your ear off!

It does take a lot of equipment, but I was mostly on the dairy cow end of things, not the cheesemaking end. The equipment is quite pricey so I'd be looking at picking it up second-hand if possible.

Of course you have to have all the proper permits, your state milk board should be consulted about that one.

myersfarm · #4 09/18/11, 12:39 PM

Qzark YOUR not making cheese NOW

Judy in IN · #5 09/18/11, 01:01 PM

Ozark_Jewels,

I read about your experience last night on another forum.

I AM SO SORRY! BIG brother did a number on you.

I hope that you can work around this.

Judy

Madsaw · #6 09/18/11, 03:48 PM

Here is a link to a mobile plant that is made here in my home town.
http://www.jsonline.com/business/29184484.html
More info
http://www.ddsco.com/

They are the folks to put a call into to get any low down you need on the small setups.
Bob

oregon woodsmok · #7 09/19/11, 07:22 PM

Artisan cheeses? It would have to be easier to do with a cow than with goats, because of the larger volume of milk. And because you would have a much larger market.

I'm pretty darn sure that commercial cheese is made with pasteurized milk. You can check, but I don't think raw milk is allowed.

You'd have to figure out some sort of niche cheese that was addictively delicious and not available for a lot cheaper from the deli

Hey, if you want to move, the USA ex-pats in South America are dying for a good melting cheddar. They whine about the unavailability all the time.

eclipchic · #8 09/19/11, 08:02 PM

Ozark Jewels, I totally missed the connection about the Morningland raids and your siggy.

There were a lot of people here in Indiana watching and hoping the best would come of that mess. Sorry to hear it didn't turn around

francismilker · #9 09/24/11, 12:22 AM

Having been on or around dairying for many years in my life, the best advise I could give you about dairy farming is: Don't do it! Stay simple and small to provide milk and meat to your own family. Don't do something that's going to allow or demand government inspection or intervention in your ability to provide for the family. Milk is the most regulated liquid on the planet and while you may start out doing just fine you could end up like Emily and her family at Morningland Dairy. From what I can see they had it going their way and were really blessed until someone had enough of them having enough.

Many a good intention has went down the drain with the wash water from a milk tank from an inspiring dairy farmer. It's a true and honest way to make a living for the family but it seems to be an uphill climb from the start.

Just an opinion from the outside looking in. I don't know your specific situation but would highly recommend you and your family praying about it before you jump in with both feet.

sammyd · #10 09/24/11, 09:16 AM

Quote:

I'm pretty darn sure that commercial cheese is made with pasteurized milk. You can check, but I don't think raw milk is allowed.

Raw milk cheese is allowed. Even up here in "no raw milk" land many commercial dairies produce it.
It has to be aged for so long before it is shipped though.

mozarkian · #11 09/24/11, 04:38 PM

I don't know how it is everywhere, but I expect we are similar to the rest of the country as far as small dairies go. 25 years ago I could have listed 20 dairies in my county, just off the top of my head. All milking 100 head or more. Now there is one that I know of and they lost their contract with Central Dairy a couple of years ago. They now have just about 15-20 cows and support themselves selling milk by the gallon and beef by the pound, quarter or side. Government regulations, debt load and feed costs have strangled the small dairy farmer here.