Profitable dairy farming

RanchHouse

RanchHouse

Farm Hand
Messages
64
That anyone requires a lot of money and capital to start successful dairy farming is a great misconception. Am I mistaken? I am getting all my facts right and learning about animal breeding and management. What number of animals can make a good start?
 

RichZ

Chocolate Milk Cow
Messages
454
That anyone requires a lot of money and capital to start successful dairy farming is a great misconception. Am I mistaken? I am getting all my facts right and learning about animal breeding and management. What number of animals can make a good start?
Oh no, it's not a misconception. Animal breeding and management is the correct place to start, but you also have to build a milk house that will be certified by your local state agency. That is VERY expensive. Before you start aquireing a herd, look into the costs of a milk house. Outfitting the building according to code, buying the equipment, setting up the plumbing and power are huge expenses.
 
Pk2uk2us

Pk2uk2us

Farm Hand
Messages
12
Rich how much is needed for 50 head Holstein heifers to start initially a small setup, is there any project/feasibility reports for Small dairy farm available to view or download?
 

RichZ

Chocolate Milk Cow
Messages
454
Rich how much is needed for 50 head Holstein heifers to start initially a small setup, is there any project/feasibility reports for Small dairy farm available to view or download?
There are lots of variables. First prices vary depending on your location. Also, do you have the land for 50 cows to graze? Do you have livestock barns? Do you have a milk house? How many cows do you want to milk at a time, that will determine how big your milking parlor will be. Where do you plan on getting your heifers? Are you going to have registered Holsteins? And most importantly, do you have a market for your milk?

I think the first place to start is to contact your cooperative extension. They usually have a dairy cooperative extension agent that can help you. Just be warned, start-up costs are VERY high. I live in upstate New York, and small family farms like what you are proposing are going out of business. The industry is more favorable to giant cooperate farms, unless you find a special niche,such as selling organic milk. But getting certified organic is also VERY expensive.
 
Pk2uk2us

Pk2uk2us

Farm Hand
Messages
12
Thanks for quick reply Rich.. Currently in Queens NYC.. I see opportunities come up for 1 acre to 2 acre in sufflock County, an hour drive from Queens.. born farmer with experience of buffalow farm(product of Asian continent) seen farms which doesn't require much space and seen Holstein fed on what u call soya pellet feed. Around 30 Holsteins to start with 15 cows - 15 heifers (I have pricing idea of the heifers and cows) but no idea of rest of the Expenses. in terms of niche I have plans to get NYC city govt business for small business owners, special schemes to assist small business owners.thanks for suggesting local agri extention hint will definitely be in touch with them.
 
greg

greg

Farm Hand
Messages
98
Oh no, it's not a misconception. Animal breeding and management is the correct place to start, but you also have to build a milk house that will be certified by your local state agency. That is VERY expensive. Before you start aquireing a herd, look into the costs of a milk house. Outfitting the building according to code, buying the equipment, setting up the plumbing and power are huge expenses.
I think that most new farmers fail to research well and incorporate every cost before starting. Deciding the type of cattle to be bred and conducting a preliminary investigation of the soil type and vegetation in the area could be helpful. It is a highly profitable market requiring an equally sizeable investment.
 

RichZ

Chocolate Milk Cow
Messages
454
Thanks for quick reply Rich.. Currently in Queens NYC.. I see opportunities come up for 1 acre to 2 acre in sufflock County, an hour drive from Queens.. born farmer with experience of buffalow farm(product of Asian continent) seen farms which doesn't require much space and seen Holstein fed on what u call soya pellet feed. Around 30 Holsteins to start with 15 cows - 15 heifers (I have pricing idea of the heifers and cows) but no idea of rest of the Expenses. in terms of niche I have plans to get NYC city govt business for small business owners, special schemes to assist small business owners.thanks for suggesting local agri extention hint will definitely be in touch with them.
Dairy farming in Suffolk County!!! Hmmmmm.... I'm originally from Suffolk County, I don't think there's been a dairy farm there since the 60's. What would your market be? 1 -2 acres is pretty small for 50 cows, and hay is probably REALLY expensive on Long Island, but check it out with the cooperative extension.
 
Pk2uk2us

Pk2uk2us

Farm Hand
Messages
12
Thanks Rich, will be serving NYC market, definitely will reach to local extension to find out more.
 
 
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