dairy question

[spoon]

I know that dairymen are paid by weight. Hundred weight if I understand correctly so on average how many Holstiens would a person need to milk daily to make it worth their while? I am NOT planning on going into the dairy business but know someone who just recently did and he doesn't seem to have enough cows to me but I'm certainly no expert.

 

[milkmaid]

Depends on the operation, management, and how many people the dairy needs to support. And the bills those people have. I've heard of people doing well with 14 cows, seen people do very well with 60, and heard stories of people with 500 on the edge of going bankrupt (sp?).

 

[spoon]

Thanks mm. He has 16 cows. His overhead should be minimal so he may do ok after all.

 

[TexasBred]

Thanks mm. He has 16 cows. His overhead should be minimal so he may do ok after all.

Bigger isn't always better. Doubling the size of your herd certainly doesn't double your profit either. (If you're even making a profit). If you're losing money on a few cows your loss goes thru the roof with 400.

 

[bigbull338]

he has to milk enough cows to keep the milk measuring on the stick.or the milk company wont pick up his milk.so he better be in a position to buy some more cows.i doubt 16 cows will pay the feed power an water bill at the dairy.much less give him a profit.

 

[TexasBred]

Know one guy milking 30 cows and has a 2000 gallon milk tank.. Had to extend the shaft on the agitator and shorten the paddles in order to agitate the milk.