We started with one Jersey. We knew when we started, we would want more, but thought it would be best to start small. We bought our first Jersey from a local farmer in Melbourne, Arkansas. She was pregnant when we purchased her. About four months later, she calved.
She turned into a great mother and a great milk cow. We got between one to two gallons of milk a day. In Arkansas, we are allowed to sell raw milk as long as the customer comes to our farm to purhase it. Our first year we were able to make enough to cover her feed and initial start up expenses (hay ring, wood to fix up corral, etc) with a little cash left over.
Shortly after we got our first cow, we had the opportunity to purchase 140 acres next to our farm, along with 40 head of cattle. This has turned into primarily a cow/calf operation, although we do also sell the pasture-raised beef. Customers can purchase a cow or steer from us in a quarter, half or whole. We then will deliver it to our local butcher where the customer is able to customize their order.
Then recently we decided to add another Jersey to our herd. It is our hopes this will allow us to offer raw milk year round.
