11 Oct Sat 2014
Raw Goat's Milk - What It Really costs
I'm trying to see if I can make a herd share / trade for work situation happen. I am surprised to see what my actual costs to milk for someone are. Of course, I am a very small operation, but costs are actual dollars flying out of my pocket.
It is more clear to me why people left farming and allowed the corporate food chains into our lives. It truly is a choice of what we are willing to pay for. Everyone's time is valuable. How much time do you want your farmer to donate. Better yet, how much time do you donate to your employer?
I can quit advertising to milk for people. If they haven't been willing to pay +/- 4.50 per quart they surely won't pay my actual costs of $10.57 or $11.37.
THANK A FARMER AND BUY LOCAL
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Monthly out-of-pocket costs per share share = +/- 1 gallon per week (14 maximum shares available - 2 milkings per day):
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Conventional actual costs -
Monthly $25.09 = +/- $5.79 per gallon
Pickup only $158.07= +/- $36.48 additional per gallon
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$183.16 $42.27
! ACTUAL costs to milk for someone
Manager labor $65.00= +/- $15 additional per gallon
Current retail price: $35 per month
Shareholder milks and does chores once a week
Pays me 1 hour a month for the 3 hours a week training and chores time (for 2ish months) plus 3 hours a day maintenance time. That's why I need my part-time job and husband to try to keep this venture afloat financially.
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Non-Soy Non-GMO actual costs -
Monthly $39.02= +/- $9.00 per gallon
Pickup only $158.07= +/- $36.48 additional per gallon
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$197.09 $45.48
! ACTUAL costs to milk for someone
Manager labor$65= +/- $15 additional per gallon
Current retail price: $50 per month
Shareholder milks and does chores once a week
Pays me 1 hour a month for the 3 hours a week training and chores time (for 2ish months) plus 3 hours a day maintenance time. That's why I need my part-time job and husband to try to keep this venture afloat financially.
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Calculations:
Feed:
$227.5- 2.5 alfalfa pellets, 1.25 goat pellets, @$14=52.50 x 52/12=$227.5
or Non-Soy Non-GMO:
$422.50 - 2.5 alfalfa pellets, 1.25 goat pellets, @$26=97.50 x 52/12=$227.5
Other costs:
Hay - Haven't found an organic source yet
$48.75 - 4 Sudan=$40, .25 alfalfa = $3.50, .5 coastal=$97.50
$13 - Organic Olive Oil
$2.50 - Minerals $30/12=
$6.25 - Wormer $75/12
$20 - Milk PathogenTests $80×3=$240/12=
$16.67 - Annual Brucrllosis, TB amd CAE Tests $200/12=
$16.67 - Breeding Fees $200/12
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$75.09
Pickup only Shareholder monthly additional costs
$6.40 - Paper towels $32/5 shares
$151.67- Milking Contractor Fee per share $35 a week x52/12
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$158.07 × 12 / 52 = $36.48 per gallon
Managing Shareholder Monthly Labor not including milking and chore time when needed (a very conservative estimate)
$910 - $10/hour x 3 hours a day x 7 days a week x 52 weeks / 12 months= $910/14 shares =$65 monthly per share=$65×12/52=$15 per gallon.
I am out with the animals every day for varying amounts of time. This amount would include paid help costs when I am away which currently comes out of my pocket.
These are minimal costs. No provision is made here for costs associated with illnesses or other problems. Also, costs have not been included for equipment replacement, water, electricity, or use of land.
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Conventional - Shareholder milks and does chores. 227.50+48.75+75.09= $351.34/14 shares=$25.09 per month per share= $25.09×12/52=$5.79 cost per gallon
Non-Soy Non-GMO - Shareholder milks and does chores. 422.50+48.75+75.09= $546.34/14 shares=$39.02 per month per share=$39.02×12/52=$9.00 cost per gallon
Organizations that support and defend farmers and our food supply. Become a member.
Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance
Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund
I know there are local support organizations too but I can't quickly find them. Please comment if you know of more.