| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Nov 12 2008 : 06:15:50 AM
Has anyone ever sat down and figured out how much money they spend each month on the farm and animals?
I am really afraid to. I know my feed store bill is close to $150.00 or so a month. And that's just the feed store. I also go to the coop. and Tractor Supply. Sometimes another one in Tenn.
I know I spend more on the animals feed and care than on our own food. I do grow alot of our food and that is what the pigs and cow will be soon. And a bunch of no good chickens if they don't start producing.
I always said if we can't eat it or get something from it, it doesn't stay here. It has to work for us.
Also, do ya'll think it's worth the cost to grow or raise your own food these days?
Kris |
| 22 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Jan 03 2009 : 3:41:25 PM
Hey Missy. I just went to my feed store to pay up and get some more pig feed. I bout fell over again when he told me how much the bill was for last month. I've been feeding 4 hogs and get cracked corn and a 10% sweet feed for them. They go through 199 lbs every few days. I have not bought any 16% all grain for my milk goats last month b/c I have dried up all but 2 now and am not using near the grain now. Still have a half a barrel left for the 2 I am milking OAD. So the bill was $345. The month before that was about the same. Geeze, I will never raise pigs ever again. And they are pastured, too. Not penned up. They would eat tons more if they were penned. Next month, though, I will hardly have a bill at all. I may be able to pay cash when I go!
I am counting down the days til the pigs are gone. 11 days left to go!!!!! I really do feel like I am a slave to these guys. I have to be home by 4:30 so I can feed them again. I have to run inside and change into dirty clothes and boots and run back out to the feed room, fill the bucket up and run out there, all before they figure out a way to get to me first. So I have got to be quick. They know my car, too. They see me coming and run down the driveway after me. So I will be SO happy when they are gone!
So what kind of goats do you have, Missy?
Kris
Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you. Maori proverb |
| mmartz |
Posted - Jan 03 2009 : 12:22:42 PM
quote:
Originally posted by kristin sherrill
Has anyone ever sat down and figured out how much money they spend each month on the farm and animals?
I am really afraid to. I know my feed store bill is close to $150.00 or so a month. And that's just the feed store. I also go to the coop. and Tractor Supply. Sometimes another one in Tenn.
I know I spend more on the animals feed and care than on our own food. I do grow alot of our food and that is what the pigs and cow will be soon. And a bunch of no good chickens if they don't start producing.
I always said if we can't eat it or get something from it, it doesn't stay here. It has to work for us.
Also, do ya'll think it's worth the cost to grow or raise your own food these days?
Kris
The cost of keeping even a small farm is of concern to me too. We used to raise our own hay which was significantly cheaper than buying. I have found that buying grains directly from the farmer is the most cost efficient. I paid $4/100# for spelts this year compared to $15.00/100# for oats and the nutrition is equivalent. I have found that knowing what protein value is in your hay and what your bales weigh is important. Are they tight bales? Heavy bales? Baled at the right time for the most nutrients... Different animals need different protein %s too...
I'm raising horses, goats and chickens. I used to go buy separate feeds for everything. Now I just buy soybeans to add to the spelts to raise the protein for my goats. I have added a little corn here in the winter to give the goats some extra cover, but I really don't think it is needed. However, I have found that added mineral and salt directly into the ration has greatly increased the finish of each species.
And, enough can't be said for free choice water... which used to be free in most places in the country... unfortunately not is mine though... I would like to use more rain water...
The value of the cost of farming comes in knowing my children will have the skills to maintain a farm if they choose. We were really, really poor at one time in our marriage. I forgot my roots... Needless to say, now we are back to farming. I find it exhausting, fulfilling, and heart-wrenching (when you have to cull those you love)But,at least we won't starve if poverty comes down that road again....
We are truly blessed to know the value of a farm and all that it can provide.
Missy
www.rocking-m.com |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Nov 23 2008 : 4:15:25 PM
I'll have to check into the screenings. Never heard of that. We do have a big trailor. Just need more containes.
I feed my calves just a Folgers coffee can between them of cheap sweet feed because I have to give them minerals. We are lacking in magnesium here and if they don't get it they get sick. The steer was showing signs a while back and the vet told me to keep the minerals in them. So that's how I do that. Hopefully when my neighbor bush hogs his pasture next door I'll be able to put them in that and there is a lot of grass over there for them. Plus I have lots of hay. They can have as much as they can eat. Which they do all day.
Kris |
| Mother Hen |
Posted - Nov 23 2008 : 12:26:33 AM
Kris, I have a friend who has milk goats and she doesn't grain feed them, she only gives hay at will and fresh water. They don't have the money for grain and we barter with them for our hay(we grow hay). Another thing to look into for cow feed is if there are any grain elevators in your area? If so, you can buy "screenings" which look kind of like rabbit food but they are what the elevator has from cleaning their screens when they switch crops. I know you would have to go get them with a good sized trailer. When my kids did steers for 4-H 2 years ago screenings were anywhere from $80/ton to $120/ton depending on what you were looking for. Even if they aren't real close to you, check the surrounding area because for that price it's worth the drive now that the gas prices are down. Out here you can even get a big bin they put them in for you. You don't pay for the bin you just return it when you are done with it. Of course, you will need to cover it securely with wood so the goats don't jump in.
Hope this might help some.
Oh, and for our cattle, we never grain feed unless we are trying to fatten a steer for the fair or the freezer. Our cows eat only grass or hay.
I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalms 34:1 |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Nov 21 2008 : 3:20:30 PM
Yeah! A friend came and got 5 hens for her daughter! Another friend is buying the rest of the hens. And another is buying the little chicks. Now I need to do something with all the guineas next. I may take them to the sale in Chatt. I went last year and they sold for $16.00 a piece. I have 8 left.
And I have 2 goats to sell, too. I got my buck last week and he's been a busy little boy. We'll see next spring. I started a little later this year. I usually have them bred by now. I think it will work out ok though. They'll start kidding late April into May.
Kris |
| FannyMay |
Posted - Nov 15 2008 : 08:40:29 AM
Things are pretty expensive here also. We are spending around 300.00 a month on feed. We have close to 90 hens and they use around 150lbs a feed a week and that is 33$ a week. Also we have our heifers and show calves on feed. We like to give our first time heifers extra feed because they are still growing and they are growing thier babies at the same time and so they need a little extra. The kids love to show cattle at livestock shows and the calves have to be pretty and fat. We too have had the problem buying bulk feed. We can get it, but we just have no way to unload it. We need a front end loader on the tractor to take it off the trailer or the back of the truck. We could store it in the shed, but we just can not get it in there. The bulk feed is definately cheeper than the bagged feed. This year we got our hay by doing an exchange of the use of our tractor to do the hay. So that sure did help us out. If my hens are all laying they will make enough to pay for them selves and pay for some of the cows feed. Right now we are getting 4dozen a day. I wanted to buy a jersey cow and start milking and sell the extra to pay for her feed, but we have not had the extra money to buy her yet. When all of this really pays is tax time. We have a lot of deductions. We are just now really getting started and we still have equipment to buy and a lot of the times we don't have what we need to do some of the jobs that need to be done. It can be very frustrating to say the least. Especially to my husband. You should have seen us unloading hay last night to feed. We had to push big 5x6 round bales off the trailer and then at one point my husband had me backing the trailer into the back lot inbetween two fence post I had less than an inch between the tires and the post. For somereason getting in was easier than getting out. I should have been able to drive straight out, but my trailer was kinda crooked and did I mention that it was muddy and we have no four wheel drive LOL. But, this was the kinda of thing that makes us want to quit one moment and laugh all night about it the rest of time. I guess our payoff is not really money it is the fact that our children are well rounded, and are learning to be responsible and learn to treat our animals, the earth and each other with respect.
There is no other life for me, but farm life. |
| windypines |
Posted - Nov 15 2008 : 03:50:15 AM
My brother raised a few hogs, and we always had a strand of electric fenc around the hog area. They can root under anything, but as long as that electric is working you should be good to go. I know what your going through. Somedays things seem like too much to handle. But then they turn around and get better. In order to keep the animals in you gotta have good fencing. The grass is always greener on the other side. And cutting back is a good idea if everything is too much. Makes less work, and you can get ahead of things then. Make fencing better, and do things so there is less everyday work. We fianlly got a round baler a few years ago. What a labor saver in the summer and winter.
Best wishes Michele |
| Sheep Mom 2 |
Posted - Nov 15 2008 : 01:42:54 AM
I sure do sympathize with escapee pigs - I've done my fair share of rounding them up. After reading the other posts about the cost of feed - well I'm in the same neck of the woods as Katherine and my feed costs doubled from last year. A bag of chicken scratch is over $16.00 and a bit less for feed and that is for a 50 lb. bag. As for pigs - well it just wasn't in the cards this year at $19+ per bag of feed. I am considering growing Amaranth to feed my chickens. I only have 10 acres but another organic grower friend of mine has been doing some research on it and it could be a feasible choice. I am not doing meat chickens - it's just me here and not worth the labor and stench (I hate mucking out meat chickens). I used to raise them when the kids were still at home so I just keep chickens for eggs.
Sheri |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Nov 14 2008 : 7:28:38 PM
Today was a BAD pig day. While I was on the phone with the slaughter house to see when they might have an opening to bring the pigs in I heard the dogs barking like crazy. I looked out the door and there they all were. BTW they cannot take any more animals til Feb. and can't even take names til Dec. So I called another one near here and went ahead and made an appt. for Jan. 14. 2 more months. I kept having visions of me just shooting every one of them. I don't know if I can wait 2 more months.
I don't have a gun and would never really do that but it did cross my mind.
My husband got home!!!! Yeah!Finally. He's been gone 3 weeks. After he's rested I'm puttin' the old boy to work. I think I'll try a strand of electric wire or barbed wire along the bottom of the fence. It might hold them awhile longer. I don't know why I do this. I had 2 pigs a few years ago and must have had pig amnesia or something to do it again. All this for porkchops and bacon! Wow.
I do have a friend who is always wanting chickens. I'm calling her tomorrow. And her DD is supposed to come get the ducks.
I know things will be different around here when the pigs are gone. It's not like this every day, thank God for that. It's actually pretty peaceful and nice here on the place. And so beautiful, too.
I hope I do not scare all these new people who don't have farm animals and are thinking about getting them. I do this most of the time alone. Most people don't. They have lots of help. I do on weekends. It does take a lot of help and it is work. But it is worth it in the long run.
And now it's raining. |
| Alee |
Posted - Nov 14 2008 : 7:24:53 PM
I wish you lived here. There is a bulk feed plant here and you could get your feed from it direct for probably less than half the cost :(
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| Rusti-Kate |
Posted - Nov 14 2008 : 6:22:25 PM
I hope that you find good homes for your animals too Kris! I helped out at my friend's feed store this last year and some of our feed prices jumped 100% due to fuel freight and grain futures, it was insane! I raised 200 broilers out on pasture this last summer, and without my "employee" discount I wouldn't have even broke even. It was totally worth it though, because I sold enough to pay for the whole venture, and we have a whole freezer full of chicken to eat, but I am definitely chickened out!
We do barter a lot though, like electrical work for a few chickens and turkey, so that makes it worthwile in the end as well. I also wish you good luck with the pigacolypse, they are too much fun when they refuse to stay where they belong  |
| Alee |
Posted - Nov 13 2008 : 3:06:56 PM
Oh No Kristin! I hope you find a great home for your surplus animals!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Nov 13 2008 : 2:51:35 PM
Well, I think I'm going to need to add more expense to my list. When I got home awhile ago, 3 of the pigs were out. I thought something might be wrong when I saw the horses across the road looking this way. My heart just sank. And the neighbor was in his yard, which he never is, and waved. So I go down my driveway and there are 3 pigs in my other garden. Again. I had just gone all around the bottom of the fence line with posts and rebar and that kept them in awhile. But I think I need more. And they are getting really big but not big enuf to take to the butcher yet. And if I'm too slow getting them their dinner, they get out under the gate. Very impatient pig boys.
And I think I'm gonna get rid of all the chickens, ducks and guineas soon. I need to make some changes for myself. This is getting too much for me to handle by myself. I always bite off more than I can chew, for some reason. And with everything else going on I think I need to do something quick!
I think I need to sell a few goats and just keep enuf for my family.
So if anyone is in need of great milk goats and not so great chickies, let me know.
Kris |
| windypines |
Posted - Nov 13 2008 : 03:59:37 AM
Kris, It does seem expensive, but to cut costs I sell eggs, beef, and take donations for milk and cheese. I don't have exact figures right now, but I break even and get our own food out of the deal. Right now the eggs and milk, pays for the feed for the cow and chickens. So if you are raising animals for yourself do one or two extra to sell. Find out what the going price is for the meat at the butcher, and charge at least that much.
We don't have alot of money, but we sure eat like royality.
Michele |
| La Patite Ferme |
Posted - Nov 12 2008 : 9:36:49 PM
I hear ya Kris. Meat birds are - how do I put this - nasty. I raised mine to about 6-8 pounds then cut then in half so I should have chicken for almost a year. We raised them at the same time DD was raising her lambs for the county fair. I wont do that again. Too much hastle. But, we sure are enjoying them. |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Nov 12 2008 : 5:32:44 PM
My pigs are in the garden that i finished first. As soon as the other garden is done (I still have cabbage and collards and brus. sprouts in it) I'll finish them in it.
That's a good idea about the apple orchards, too. Also I saw where someone went to a corn field that had just been picked and got the corn on the ground for her horses. I'm going to go down the road tomorrow and see if there is any left.
And I agree you cannot put a price on home grown food. I can hardly eat out anymore for thinking about what I'm eating.
I am glad I'm able to do this, but it really is a bit pricey lately. I have noticed prices are dropping here.
Jenn, last year I had 25 meat birds I raised in a 10x10' mobile cage I'd move around the garden every day for 4 months. I was so glad to butcher those birds. And I basically grass fed the first few months. I still have a few in the freezer. I'm in no hurry to do this again!
Kris |
| Bellepepper |
Posted - Nov 12 2008 : 11:24:59 AM
I put the pencil to my little egg operation and found that I was getting my eggs free and broke even on the eggs I sell. If I didn't give so many away to kids, I would show a little profit and still get my eggs free. The price of laying feed has jumped from $9 to $12 for a 50 pound bag. My hens have a huge area to run in and don't eat much feed. The chickens are running in the orchard so they ate a lot of apples. I want to reinforce the fence and put in a couple of pigs next spring. I think the left over stuff from the garden and windfall apples would go a long way in feeding a pig. I would have him butchered before winter. That is the plan, we'll see how far I get with it.
There are some things that just cannot be bought at the store at any price. One is my salsa the other is home canned greenbeans. Tomato juice is another. I will can those 3 as long as the Lord will allow me. No matter what it cost! |
| La Patite Ferme |
Posted - Nov 12 2008 : 10:13:51 AM
Kris,
I think you'll find that raising your own will cost more per pound than buying from the store, but the benefits of eating homegrown far out weigh the cost when you consider how commerical livestock is raised. Most of the time feedlot animals eat junk. You have to consider that your animals are far better fed with fewer medications than anything on the commercial side.
DD and I spent about $100 in broiler feed this past summer for 25 birds and that dosen't take into account the cost of shavings, which needed to be rotated often so the birds don't get foot infections. Gas prices really affected feed prices.
There are some tricks though. Pre-mixed feeds are always more expensive. It's like pre-packaged foods. And, feed stores are more expensive to buy from. Check your area for grain mills or other commodity processing plants. See if you can buy what you need from them and mix your own. I use to feed my brood ewes cull lima beans cause they only cost 5 cents a pound, but were also 18-20% protein. Because of the protein I could feed less weight. Also, research livestock feeds and feeding info (like textbook info) to see if what you have available in your area can be used as a mainstay feed for some of your livestock, like the pigs. Double check the amount of feed needed for healthy animals. After I had my my hens for awhile I realized I was feeding too much and a lot was being wasted. By rechecking the recommended requirements I was able to cut way back.
Also, you mentioned in another post your property has lots of apple trees. If your area is apple country there must be a packinghouse somewhere. They might be willing to sell you or give you a field box that you can use for feed storage. I used orange boxes for my limas. They held 1000 pounds per box, were 4 ft square and about 3ft deep. I just hinged a piece of plywood on the top for a lid - worked great for 20 years.
Hope this helps some.
Jenn |
| K-Falls Farmgirl |
Posted - Nov 12 2008 : 07:29:44 AM
Kris, I do not have any animals here on our one acre farm, but will get chickens, we garden all our vegetables and have 3 fruit trees & berries. Years ago when my children were at home & we lived on 3 acres we had pigs, chickens, turkeys, cows, and a garden, I missed it so much, that from my view now that we have retired and my husband of 3 years wanted a small piece of property to do just what we are doing now, I jumped at the chance to be Here, Fresh meat, eggs, & vegetable cannot be beat, I don't think I could put a put a price on that. Check with a neighbor or friend who is like you share the cost of bulk feed maybe.
http://www.k-fallsfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
Cheryl #309
Farm girl sister
Enjoy the little things in life....someday you'll look back and realize they were the big things. |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Nov 12 2008 : 06:54:29 AM
I know I should buy in bulk. I've asked my feed store about it, but I'd just about hav e to buy a semi-truck load. And then where to store it all? I do have 2 old chest type freezers I put extra bags in. But I really don't have that many animals to do that.
I have 6 milk goats that are VERY picky eaters. Not true that a goat will eat anything! A bag of 16% all grain was $14.00 for 50 lb bags. And in the peak of milking they went through 1 bag in 3 1/2 days. That's 5 goats. I've cut bact to OAD milking now and cut back on the amount of feed, too.
I have 2 calves that get 10% sweet feed, just a Folgers coffee can between them now, plus all the hay and grass they want. I have plenty of hay.
Also 4 pigs. They will be ready to go in a few months. I've got 2 sold and we'll keep 2 for us. But I never make as much back as I have in them. They get about a 2 1/2 gallon bucket of grain and corn mixed with goat milk twice a day plus scraps. SO they are not here too long to worry about them.
I do sell goat babies and make a little money from them, b/c they are dam raised with a little kid starter-grower.
Anyway, just wondered what other people spend on their farms. It would probably be different across the country. That will be interesting to hear the cost of feed anywhere else. Ours actually did go down a few $ a bag this past week!!
Kris
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| chicken necker |
Posted - Nov 12 2008 : 06:32:09 AM
Kristin, How "big" is your farm? How many and what types of animals do you have?
I don't have one myself, but I am definitely wanting to.
I'm just curious, because $150.00 a month doesn't sound too bad considering you have the peace of mind to know what you are feeding your family. Not only that, but what Alee said. You aren't giving your money to the gas companies either.
FarmGirl Sister #123
Crafty Bay FarmGirls Chapter
"Whether you think you can or think you can't, either way, you're right." Henry Ford |
| Alee |
Posted - Nov 12 2008 : 06:21:54 AM
Kris- I really think it is still worth it because if you think about it- the other farmer would be having to pay about the same amount to raise his animals, then you have to pay shipping, processing, packaging and then shipping again. If you counted up how much meat you eat and estimate how much of that is a full slaughtered animal- I think it really would be cheaper.
Also- have you considered buying the animal feed in bulk? I know if you by it in bulk it is much cheaper.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
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