Hi Stephen
Hopefully this reply will be a bit more positive for you than the
previous ones!!! I am sure you CAN do it and you can make it work.
Firstly, as has been stated, you should start off by aiming to run a
stocking rate of 1 cow per acre. One person can easily run up to 300
cows on their own. The key is to keep the system simple. Operate an
efficient milking parlour - and this does not require cup removers or
other fancy automated stuff. If you have the chance to build or
convert a shed, build a 20 aside swing parlour (or if money is
restricted then the minimum size to allow a maximum of 10 rows that
need to be milked). It may pay to look at some NZ sites about shed
designs unless you are one of the lucky few who can go to NZ in person
and really see what keeping things simple is all about! American's
love technology and gadgets - forget it all, it doesn't make you more
money on such a small farm!!
Here is a good article:
http://agebb.missouri.edu/dairy/grazing/proceedings/systemsapproach.pdf
" . . . I was not able to get over 30-40% grass."
Pay close attention to page 8 and 9 in the above article. You have a
long way to go before becoming a true pastoral farmer. Use grain and
silages to supplement the grass, not the other way around. This is
also the reason why many insist that grazing is no better than
intensive farming. Many claim they are graziers or have switched to
the NZ system but at less than 75% grass in the diet you might as well
not bother.
We are farming in Missouri with some Holsteins that were bought with
the farm. They breed is useless for pastoral farming. Continue
crossbreeding or even replace all the Holsteins if you like!
Also, debt is not a bad thing! I wouldn't go paying it off if you
don't have to yet - it is an investment and you can grow your business
with this borrowed cash. Manage finances well and ensure your cash
flow will remain positive on a monthly basis. Some seasonal farmers
may be slightly negative in the dry period some years, but good
management can cope with this.
Cheers
Michelle
On 3/4/07, F. W. Owen <fwo@bright.net> wrote:
>
> # I am a 29 year old, first generation, dairy
> # producer...
> #
> # What my goal is to do is over the next two
> # years convert to totally grass and parlor
> # feed. I can sell 100 springing heifer and 50
> # milk cow to eliminate all of my short term
> # debt. This will leave a 3300 a month farm
> # payment...
>
> I'm very sorry but I just don't see a real upswing in either way.
>
> I have seen a lot of these. The switch to grazing can work but usually
> doesn't. I truly wish it were different.
>
> I think you need a major sidestep of some kind. There IS a solution but it
> seems to lie in another direction.
>
> --
> Kindest regards,
>
> =======================
> F. W. Owen
> Owenlea Holsteins
> 9430 Spencer Road
> Homerville, Ohio 44235
> e-mail fwo@bright.net
> home page http://www.bright.net/~fwo
> cell 330/635-2287 (best)
> office 330/625-2369
> fax 330/625-2620
> =======================
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