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Post by pcrowder on Sept 13, 2010 15:42:09 GMT -4
My new dairy cow Valentine (1/2 Jersey, 1/2 Holstein) is giving me almost 2 gals a day. I've been canning milk, making pudding, churning butter, making cheese, and I'm still swimming!
Lordy, I do love my Valentine!
Anyone else out there with a dairy cow?
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Post by nhlivefreeordie on Sept 13, 2010 20:51:56 GMT -4
I wish, someday maybe. I want a Belted Galloway. I think they look cool, plus they are supposed to be good for dairy and meat, plus they are used to the type of climate NH will throw at them. Pat, you need to get yourself a white uniform and a white panel truck a bunch of glass milk bottles and start delivering door to door like the old days, bet the novelty of it would get you a lot of customers, the taste of farm fresh milk would build your business.
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Post by capecmom on Sept 14, 2010 8:05:15 GMT -4
Pat, I forgot-does your State allow the Sale of Raw Milk? Or would you be forced to pasteurize it.
I could just see you in that uniform!
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Post by nhlivefreeordie on Sept 14, 2010 8:18:22 GMT -4
Pat, I forgot-does your State allow the Sale of Raw Milk? Or would you be forced to pasteurize it. I could just see you in that uniform! ;D She would be known all over her county as the milk lady ;D C'mon Pat, you can find the time one day a week to deliver fresh milk, right?
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Post by pcrowder on Sept 14, 2010 10:18:23 GMT -4
I thought about getting an old milk wagon and hitching up the draft mules to it - now wouldn't that be a hoot! They'd never stand for it though, but it is fun to think about! Most of the time I'm milking and skimming and churning in a big long white apron with a white bandana on my head, so I guess I'm half way there!
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Post by pcrowder on Sept 14, 2010 10:20:01 GMT -4
Yeah, Cape - we have to pasteurize if we sell the milk. I do have two pasteurizers - one is a 1 gal and the other is a 2 gal, and I got both of them on EBay, so I do pastuerize for certain people (my son who refuses to drink raw milk) and will pasteurize when I sell it.
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Post by pcrowder on Sept 14, 2010 10:21:06 GMT -4
nhl - I love the belted Galloways, but you very rarely seem them around here. They look like an oreo cookie to me!
Yeah, I'm sure I can find the time to run a milk route along with selling my eggs -- I guess I just need to get up a little earlier in the morning!!
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Post by pcrowder on Sept 14, 2010 10:23:38 GMT -4
I did get fantastic news the night before last! One of my neighbors who I don't hear from very often called me to have me chore her place for her while they're gone on vacation, and said when they get back she wants milk, butter, eggs and cheese from me!!! WOO HOO! I've been giving out free samples of everything so far, and will continue to give it free to family and close friends, but it's nice to know that maybe, just maybe, I can make some $$ to recoup the cost of the food. Feeding dairy cows alfalfa hay and dairy ration is EXPENSIVE!
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Post by nhlivefreeordie on Sept 14, 2010 11:15:24 GMT -4
That is fantastic news Pat. Little by little, I bet you will create a great side business for yourself. The demand is rising for good wholesome food. BTW, no pasteurization for me please, right from the cow, and cooled is all I require.
I did some research, and it seems there are several farms in NH that now have and advertise the fact, that their milk and meat comes from Belted Galloways. I figure by the time we get there, it will be even more accepted. Plus, the farms that have them are all between 40-60 miles north, east, and south of us, no one in our general area, so possibly that will be another niche that we can fill.
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Post by dave on Sept 14, 2010 14:36:29 GMT -4
He folks!
I am not sure what the laws are in your state exactly, but here in Florida you can sell unpasteurized milk as long as it is marked "Not for Human Consumption". That is at least how we buy ours from a local dairy farmer. We also purchase our chickens in the same fashion from a small pastured chicken farmer (until we have our own production).
The reason why I am comfortable buying it that way is simple - I can personally inspect the operation for myself. No need to take a government agencies word on their cleanliness. Most major farms, dairies, and ranchers would cringe at the idea of their customers touring their facilities - in fact the majority will not allow it.
Dave
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Post by pcrowder on Sept 14, 2010 15:01:57 GMT -4
I've wondered about that because I've read on a couple of websites that Colorado is one of several states that make you dye the milk blue with food coloring before you even label it "not for human consumption". Sheesh - with all the toxic stuff on/in our food from commercial operations, who'd think there'd be such a obsessioin about a little hobby farm? Just to be on the safe side, I think I'll pasteurize ALL the milk I'll sell, and just hope at some point they'll change the laws. I have no problem at all with people coming by and buying my eggs, either - I've sold alot of fertile hatching eggs and just plain old eating eggs and never had a problem. Thanks Dave!
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Post by azlonerider on Sept 17, 2010 20:16:12 GMT -4
Pat, If I were in your area I would buy some in a heart beat from you. We used to get raw milk from a dairy down the road. It was outside of Hudson, I was friends with the owners son and I would ride my bike down with glass bottles my parents owned. He would fill them with milk and I would take them home to my mom. That's a memory I will remember for my life.
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Post by pcrowder on Sept 18, 2010 1:31:46 GMT -4
az -- I'd also have to pawn off some home churned butter and homemade cheese on ya, too! I think I may have to make some ice cream on Sunday or Monday -- the cream is piling up on me.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2010 7:15:36 GMT -4
az -- I'd also have to pawn off some home churned butter and homemade cheese on ya, too! I think I may have to make some ice cream on Sunday or Monday -- the cream is piling up on me. Actually, I think cheese might be something that would ship pretty well. I'd be tickled pink to buy some cheese from you Pat! We usually go down IN231 about 20 miles to a little Amish store to get our cheese...and it's very good as well as being cheaper than store bought....but I love to try different cheeses! The money I'd spend on shipping would about equal the money I spend on gas to the Amish store. On a side note....a question: I know the Govmnt is totally wacko about the raw milk issue....but I was wondering....do they require pasteurization of milk before making cheese out of it? Or does the act of cheese making kill whatever germs they're concerned about? Do you ever wonder about how our forefathers ever survived without a government to protect us from things like the evils of.... .raw milk? Edited to add: I'd particularly like to try some different goat milk cheeses! Goats are something I'm thinking I'd like to have if/when we can sell this place and get a homestead friendlier place. I've tried goats milk and found it quite good....but I've only found goat cheese once.
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Post by nhlivefreeordie on Sept 18, 2010 18:41:53 GMT -4
az -- I'd also have to pawn off some home churned butter and homemade cheese on ya, too! I think I may have to make some ice cream on Sunday or Monday -- the cream is piling up on me. I've tried goats milk and found it quite good....but I've only found goat cheese once. Goats and goat dairy is pretty popular right here in this valley. I will check prices next time I am down the valley.
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