FergusonK's journal - Goodbye Java Jewel.

[Alexz7272]

Sorry about Onyx

 

[HomeOnTheRange]

Congrats on this weekends show. Sorry to hear about Onyx.

 

[Goat Whisperer]

So sorry about Onyx

 

[Ferguson K]

So I found something called a co-op today. Everyone talks about it at shows and club meetings but I never took the time to drive out there.

I just bought a 45 day supply of feed for the same price I've been paying for a 10 day supply, and it's milled on site. Very fresh. Started incorporating it into their feed tonight and I hope to see milk production go up. It's an 18% where we've been feeding a 14% and supplementing up to a 16%.

They also had "local" (blister beetle tested!) Alfalfa, a 100lb bale, for $20. I've been paying $14 for 40lb bales.

Even driving 1.5 hours out there one way I'm still going to save about $250 on my monthly feed expenses.

Someone out there is going "I told you so!"

New feed:

Old feed:

I also found a new mineral that has copper and cobalt in it already. Put some out. Girls seemed to gobble it right up! They had 20lb bags of baking soda, bought some of that and refilled the mineral feeders.

Purchased 4 bales alfalfa, 8 bags of milk pellet, minerals, a few new scoops, and I forget what else... $120.

2 bags of my old feed to switch them over to $40.

Previous bi-weekly feed bill $250

HUGE savings.

 

[Southern by choice]

I hurt for you K. All of us have lost animals and that is painful enough, but when it is a farm accident it is truly much harder on the heart.

 

[Green Acres Farm]

So I found something called a co-op today. Everyone talks about it at shows and club meetings but I never took the time to drive out there.

I just bought a 45 day supply of feed for the same price I've been paying for a 10 day supply, and it's milled on site. Very fresh. Started incorporating it into their feed tonight and I hope to see milk production go up. It's an 18% where we've been feeding a 14% and supplementing up to a 16%.

They also had "local" (blister beetle tested!) Alfalfa, a 100lb bale, for $20. I've been paying $14 for 40lb bales.

Even driving 1.5 hours out there one way I'm still going to save about $250 on my monthly feed expenses.

Someone out there is going "I told you so!"

New feed:
View attachment 22559

Old feed:
View attachment 22560

I also found a new mineral that has copper and cobalt in it already. Put some out. Girls seemed to gobble it right up! They had 20lb bags of baking soda, bought some of that and refilled the mineral feeders.

Purchased 4 bales alfalfa, 8 bags of milk pellet, minerals, a few new scoops, and I forget what else... $120.

2 bags of my old feed to switch them over to $40.

Previous bi-weekly feed bill $250

HUGE savings.

Wow! That's awesome!

 

[norseofcourse]

Glad your show went well - sorry about the loss of Onyx

The co-op sounds really great!

 

[Baymule]

That co-op sounds like a miracle feed store!! What a find!

 

[samssimonsays]

That is a huge price difference!

 

[misfitmorgan]

Sorry your losing animals. That was us last year we lost 3 of our adult does...my favorite does. And several kids due to it being such a cold winter. It always sucks

Co-ops and feed mills are always cheaper. We get 50lbs of 18% goat grain at our feed mill for $13...we have not been able to find a comparable at TSC closest is a pig feed for $23/bag. The mill grinds and mixes it all on site with local grains which we like...you also have the option of taking in your own grains by the feed wagon or trailer load and they will make it into whatever feed you want...you just pay for mineral/vitamin mix-ins, extras and their work processing it. We looked into it for pig food and it would end up being $9 per 100# bag.