rachels.haven's Journal

rachels.haven · Jun 18, 2022

I was more thinking of being just plain out. I don't keep milk more than 4 days typically. We've got pigs.

Mini Horses · Jun 18, 2022

Another thing....I put my milk in glass or stainless. Fast to freezer a couple hours. Then frig. Tight lid going to freezer, those white ones you can buy. It forms some seal. I label date and doe. I've purposely kept quarts unopened to test. I've had milk as much as 2 wks that was fresh tasting when opened and kept good taste for several days drinkability. As said. Milk gets used! Chickens, cats, dogs, pigs, bottle kids....goes pretty fast. Then you drink more. Make cheese, etc.

Goats are very giving animals.

farmerjan · Jun 18, 2022

There are 2 websites that might help with the whole milk share and contracts etc. RealMilk.com and FTCLDF.com..... stands for farm to consumer legal defense fund. I haven't been on them lately but they used to list every state, the current regulations and what "slides under the radar" like milk shares here in Va.... Also has some sample forms for milk share OR herd share contracts. There is a difference... a milk share is a "share" of a particular animal... a herd share is a share of overall production....
Understand that there is liability and that you need to make sure that there is insurance to cover you regardless.... Too many people who have decided to "become country people" don't understand the whole animal, milk production, and responsibility of BOTH PARTIES. You could be just fine with people that get the whole milking, animals, farming thing... but all it takes is 1 JERK.....
I am not trying to put a damper on your ideas... it was my thoughts to do that when I "hit retirement" age and cut back or quit testing. Then the ankle and the knees have really made me rethink it all... plus the possible loss of the "nurse cow pasture"..... next year.... I had all those heifers ready to calve that I farmed out to the dairy... I have a 300 gallon stainless milk tank that was going to be mounted on a trailer, alot of things I had planned... I would still do some milk shares with a friendly cow that I could hand milk... but right now it is not in the closeup future.
You just need to make sure you are covered if by some OUTSIDE FREAK chance someone would get sick from some milk.... even if they were at fault... that you wouldn't put your house/property/"farm" in jeopardy . DS carries nearly 2 million liability on his farm policy at the off chance someone gets hurt while they are helping... paid or unpaid....and all paid help are "under the table"...

Just some things to think about... A dairy farmer "sells eggs from his hens" and "gives away" milk if someone wants it.... the "EGG MONEY" goes in the can in the little building where he has the fridge with the eggs and the milk is in the milk tank in the barn.... owner has to bring their own container also....Eggs have always been very expensive to produce....

Mini Horses · Jun 19, 2022

farmerjan said:
dairy farmer "sells eggs from his hens" and "gives away" milk if someone wants it.... the "EGG MONEY" goes in the can in the little building where he has the fridge with the eggs and the milk is in the milk tank in the barn.... owner has to bring their own container also....Eggs have always been very expensive to produce....

. When I sell my milk to soapers or animal people, I tell them that I do not want to know DH is named Fido!!

. Jars have "not for human consumption" label attached. But I really, really sell to people I screen and know pretty well. My soapers DO have websites and go to markets, etc. Use both websites you mention. So far VA isn't trying to be involved with "shares" but mainly due to lack of personnel and no "incidents". For most, the buyers and sellers are aware of challenges for this market. Still need extreme caution for something going sour. (pun intended).

Bruce · Jun 19, 2022

Mini Horses said:
As said. Milk gets used! Chickens, cats, dogs, pigs, bottle kids....goes pretty fast. Then you drink more.

And your cholesterol goes up

rachels.haven · Jun 19, 2022

The other option I have available is to do "pet milk". I need a $50 license and to report all sales to the state. Also to label the milk "not for human consumption"...right after I take it out of the lineup that we drink. I think that would be less concerning from a liability standpoint.

I really only keep milk so briefly for space concerns. I'm getting 3 gallons per day after baby goat feeding. We only drink about a gallon per day. Our fridge is a frustrating narrow one and I'm not supposed to fill it all the way up with milk and all.