Once we move and get settled, we plan to purchase a Dexter bred cow/heifer from a local breeder for around $2000. The property we are buying already has milking stalls, so that is one less start up expense. I have budgeted $250 for milking equipment (pails, filters, etc.). Our property is 20 acres, with about 2/3 of that being pasture. Using rotational grazing, we should be able to have enough grass for 2-3 head during the spring/summer months without having to supplement. We are planning for two 5 1/2 x 5 1/2' round bales per head, for winter (6 months) at $100 per bale.
We currently spend about $400 per year on milk and dairy products, and over $1500 for beef. Buying organic, grass-fed anything is just so expensive. A healthy Dexter cow will produce an average of 1.5 - 2 gallons a day, so even when the cow is nursing, I should have enough milk for drinking and to make any dairy products I may need.
Grass-fed Dexters yield about 55% of their live weight. So a 24 month old steer weighing 600 lbs. should provide 330 pounds of beef in the freezer. Nathan is able to process the meat himself so that saves us a large amount of money. Having invested $450 in food and vet services over a two year period for each calf, that brings our cost per pound of grass-fed beef to $1.37. Based on these numbers I should save $1000 on beef and $800 on dairy over a two year period.
Are these numbers accurate? Only time will tell. Please keep in mind that this is a learning experience for me, so there is bound to be prices I have underestimated and outputs I over estimated. Even if I end up spending the same amount as I do now, I can still be content knowing that we are producing our own food.
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First time stopping in, off the blog hop! I grew up on a farm raising Angus and Polled Herefords. We had, at one time close to 60 head. I live in the city now and really miss it, I will have to follow you blog to get a fix. I hope God blesses your family for many years. Come visit:
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I sure hope the numbers hold, but you're right, just having the security of knowing what the animal was fed and not fed IS so important. I pay alot more to get grass fed hormone free organic here and it's worth every penny. Money well spent. I am new to your blog and I look forward to reading your next post. Thanks for sharing on Farmgirl Friday.
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