Hi friends,
I'm wondering what you all would say is the minimum equipment/land needed to
start, say, a 30 cow Jersey dairy. Let's assume there's already an existing
parlor which is fully operational.
How many acres of pasture ground would be needed?
Would a tractor be absolutely necessary? If so, how small would be the
minimum required to do the job?
If a tractor isn't necessary, how would you feed hay in the winter with no
tractor? (I remember reading someone's post about using electric fence to
feed large bales right where they're lined up - of course they wouldn't be
under a roof in that case - possibly wrapped in plastic?)
What type of "permanent fencing" is the best for the money? (not miles of
single strand electric fence to constantly have to monitor and find shorts
caused by leaping deer)
Are there any women on this list who run their dairy alone?
What features in the parlor make it easier for a woman to do the work?
I appreciate any and all comments. I've always received many good comments
from this list, and have learned a lot.
Thanks,
Cowles Farm
Southeast Iowa
