BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[Fluffyserama]

We can't get raw milk either. There were a few people selling it, but the government came in and shut them down, calling the mix "toxic".  

There are a few quite nasty things that 'can' lurk in raw milk. I don't think I would drink it plain, but I would LOVE to get a hold of some for cheese.

 

[bnjrob]

We can't get raw milk either. There were a few people selling it, but the government came in and shut them down, calling the mix "toxic".

The Dept of Health has been harassing both consumers and producers of raw milk here in TX. In one case this summer, they actually pulled cops away from a legitimate call, to go after raw milk *outlaws* instead. Fortunately there are some mucky-mucks here that have been sympathetic and have started trying to get things fixed. One recent case appears to have started at the behest of some Big Ag money, to harass folks. Texas is known for being more sympathetic to Big Ag than to the little people, but the mucky-mucks are also realizing that people with money, people that vote for them, want the freedom to choose their food too.

 

[bnjrob]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Fluffyserama


There are a few quite nasty things that 'can' lurk in raw milk. I don't think I would drink it plain, but I would LOVE to get a hold of some for cheese.

We are constantly surrounded by germs. In fact, we are covered in germs, inside and out. Raw milk was a problem year ago, because germ theory didn't exist and folks had no idea how germs were spread. And then, after the germ theory came about, there was a problem with milk being transported increasingly longer distances to the cities without having refrigeration readily available. Raw milk is NOT the dangerous substance the government claims it to be. The gov't's involvement in the dairy industry is why they do not want people to drink raw milk, or to can their own milk for longer shelf life. It's an economic issue, NOT a safety issue these days. If you look at the stats of illness related to raw milk, they are minimal compared to many other foods. These days, we know how germs travel and raw milk dairies keep things clean, and they are subjected to testing of their milk as well. The risk of problems with raw milk in this day and age is very small.

Along the lines of milk, a number of years ago I found an Extension website discussing canning of milk. It admitted that the safety reason that the gov't gave for NOT canning your own milk was false. The govt didn't want people canning and saving their own milk, because then they would buy less milk. The govt is intimately involved in the entire dairy industry in the US and bases economic decisions on how much milk people drink. They don't want anyone to usurp their enterprise. Canned milk doesn't taste as good as fresh milk, but you can even safely pressure can your own milk, despite what the govt says.

 

[Kusanar]

Here, raw milk is illegal, but you can buy shares of a cow and then pay board and milking and care fees on your share... gets pretty pricy though, I looked at a few earlier and half a share (1/2 gallon a week) is a one time fee of $40-50 plus $20 a month for board and upkeep, then $10 a month for them to bring it into town so you can pick it up. That is $15 a gallon plus the initial "purchase" of the cow, and you have to get the same amount every week

 

[bramblefir]

I'm looking forward to trying raw milk next spring - mostly for making cheese, yogurt, and soap. These 2 maiden does were my birthday present from my husband this year. They'll be going to visit a buck in the next few months.

 

[Kusanar]

I want to get a milk cow when I move the horses. Just one, something small, like a Jersey, gives good milk, but not so much you can't deal with it all. I have ideas for a solar butter churn, put the mornings milk in the churn, it churns all day, then evening milk can be for drinking or have the cream skimmed off.

 

[bnjrob]

Here, raw milk is illegal, but you can buy shares of a cow and then pay board and milking and care fees on your share... gets pretty pricy though, I looked at a few earlier and half a share (1/2 gallon a week) is a one time fee of $40-50 plus $20 a month for board and upkeep, then $10 a month for them to bring it into town so you can pick it up. That is $15 a gallon plus the initial "purchase" of the cow, and you have to get the same amount every week

Here in TX, we can buy raw milk directly from the dairy, AT the dairy itself. Cheapest that I've seen for a gallon of raw cow milk is $10. The place we prefer to get raw milk from is running about $13/gallon. They use A2 protein Guernsey milk, and they don't add any other kind of milk to it. Most places use Jersey milk, and we've found that some places mix it with raw Holstein milk, to improve their profit margin. It's still raw milk, but is not as rich and doesn't taste as good as pure Jersey or Guernsey milk alone.

People don't understand the true cost of producing milk - that's why these raw milk prices seem so steep. Because of the government's manipulation of dairy prices, that is how you can buy a gallon of milk at the store for $3. It isn't all about raw milk producers trying to bilk people, it's the true cost of doing business. But when the govt is manipulating prices, which they do for most food, people don't see the true cost of what it takes to produce the food.

 

[bnjrob]

Quote:
Originally Posted by bramblefir


I'm looking forward to trying raw milk next spring - mostly for making cheese, yogurt, and soap. These 2 maiden does were my birthday present from my husband this year. They'll be going to visit a buck in the next few months.
That's cool that you have these guys. They are a good source of getting your raw milk and easier to take care of than a cow.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kusanar

I want to get a milk cow when I move the horses. Just one, something small, like a Jersey, gives good milk, but not so much you can't deal with it all. I have ideas for a solar butter churn, put the mornings milk in the churn, it churns all day, then evening milk can be for drinking or have the cream skimmed off.
They do have mini dairy cattle now that might be an option for you too. I am set on getting a Guernsey cow in the future, and so have been looking at the options of what to do with all that extra milk. Have also been reading up on people that are successfully doing once a day milkings and still able to keep their cow's udders healthy.

 

[abbevilleoz]

There are a few quite nasty things that 'can' lurk in raw milk. I don't think I would drink it plain, but I would LOVE to get a hold of some for cheese.

I can get grade A raw milk just down the road but it's over $8/gallon.

 

[Kusanar]

Here, raw milk is illegal, but you can buy shares of a cow and then pay board and milking and care fees on your share... gets pretty pricy though, I looked at a few earlier and half a share (1/2 gallon a week) is a one time fee of $40-50 plus $20 a month for board and upkeep, then $10 a month for them to bring it into town so you can pick it up. That is $15 a gallon plus the initial "purchase" of the cow, and you have to get the same amount every week

Here in TX, we can buy raw milk directly from the dairy, AT the dairy itself.  Cheapest that I've seen for a gallon of raw cow milk is $10.  The place we prefer to get raw milk from is running about $13/gallon.  They use A2 protein Guernsey milk, and they don't add any other kind of milk to it.  Most places use Jersey milk, and we've found that some places mix it with raw Holstein milk, to improve their profit margin.  It's still raw milk, but is not as rich and doesn't taste as good as pure Jersey or Guernsey milk alone.

People don't understand the true cost of producing milk - that's why these raw milk prices seem so steep.  Because of the government's manipulation of dairy prices, that is how you can buy a gallon of milk at the store for $3.  It isn't all about raw milk producers trying to bilk people, it's the true cost of doing business. But when the govt is manipulating prices, which they do for most food, people don't see the true cost of what it takes to produce the food.   

Yeah, I know it's not cheap, but, a cow produces 5 gallons of milk per day (google says 8, rounding down), so 35 gallons per week... or $525 per week to feed and milk the cow.... it can't cost that much...