Cow Share?

[Leta]

Or goats. Anyone do this? Either as a co-owner or animal caretaker?

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[2bluefish]

I did it when we lived in WI. There wasn't much "ownership" to it. I was part of a coop, and we took turned riding out into the country to pick up everyone's milk. We had glass jars, and we filled them directly from the tank. I think we paid a one time fee to buy our "share" of the dairy. Then we paid for the milk - that fee was considered as being for the upkeep of "our" animals. I guess it was just some kind of loop hole - it's not like I could sell my share to someone else. I don't think that's legal here in TX. Each state has different rules.

[Sasha_girl]

I have various forms--contracts and such--for shares but haven't actually done it. Everyone that I've talked to who has actually owned a share hated it because they ended up having to chase people around to collect monthly fees and there were always people taking milk without paying and whatnot.

I don't have the personality to be a bill collector so I haven't ventured into the world of cow/goat shares, although I know that's much more lucrative than just selling pet milk.

[tricia80]

we are doing this with a couple of families from church... hopefully soon its in the planning stages still... everyone is family and close friends so we don't have to worry about stealing milk etc... so i am excited...

[BeagleMommy]

We have a cow share. It's worked out really well for us. We paid a one time fee and pay "handling" for "our" milk. We can order milk whenever we like and pick up in a town an hour and a half away or at the farm two hours away. I only wish they were closer. It's stupid that the law won't allow me to just buy milk, but it's a good loophole for now.
A lot of folks on the traditional foods board have cow shares or goat shares, you might get more answers there.

[maplesugar]

I will eventually be looking to do this next year in northern michigan! I love the idea of animal caretaking in exchange for part of the milk fee. Our herd is right now just big enough for us, but by next year I will have extra milk.

[karne]

We did a version of this many years ago. Several families pooled resources, collected milk bottles, drove to the farm and collected the milk. There wasn't any caretaking of the animal involved. Because we all bought so much milk we also learned together about cheese making, yogurt making, etc. The logistics eventually became complicated, but by then we had thankfully moved to a place where raw milk is easily and legally available.

[Cobblestone84]

Hi everyone we have cow and goat shares, we live in Bluffton Alberta. We have a herd of Nubians and Jerseys. We offer milk Cheese yogurt butter and cream if anyone is intrested please contact me

[omamasmama]

We are part of a goat co-op. A lad across the river has the goats and has days that we all come and milk. We get over a gallon of fresh milk each time we go! She has it set up so that everyone that comes either chips in some money for feed, does some help around her land, or gives her part of what they milk as their way of helping since she's the one that keeps them. It's a lot of fun. It's a new set up....she just started it a few months ago and I'll say this about my experience with it: I'd like more clarity around the rules of 'chipping in', there weren't any set fees or worth put on each milking and she's kind of asking for help as she goes, but my hubby has done a good bit of work for her and hasn't milked that much. She will sometimes ask for more help than I personally feel is worth the milking (after all we are going over and milking, cleaning up after we are done). I think it's just really important to be clear what is needed/expected from the get go. It's also kind of all over the place with our schedule. Most weeks people are switching days and calling us to switch because we live really close. We have one car and are not as flexible as we'd like.

Anyways, that's my experience so far. 

[Indiesmomma]

I am very interested in finding another goat share to buy in to.

We bought a goat share back in August.  

Our son is extremely sesitive to pasturized milk and cow dairy(including raw).

The only milk that he digests well is raw goat milk and breast milk.

Unfortunatly I am not and have not produced enough milk for him. 

He was doing fantastic with the goat milk but the entire herd is pregnant or has given birth and dropped dead.  We haven't had any raw goat milk in months.

We put him back on pasturized milk in December and he is not doing great with digesting it.  He is mucousy with a bad cough and I am certain it is the pasturized milk causing this nasty reaction.

This is leaving me to find another share to purchase.

Can you please contact me when you have a free moment.  I would love to discuss buying  another share.