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THE FARMYARD Let's Rodeo San Antonio!
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HELP SAVE A COW!
Howdy! For about 15 years now, I've been raising calves in my petting zoo, keeping the heifers and selling (most of) the bull calves. And in doing so I've built up a small herd of dairy and beef cows that I love and am trying desperately to keep from selling. Most of these cows were bottle raised or put on my gentle cows to nurse as youngin's and some are now raising calves. With the drought we are in I have had to bring all my cows home from being out to pasture [no grass]. And with the cost of hay doubling and tripling in just a matter of months I am working on a "Plan B and C". Due to the drought many ranchers have had to load up their stock trailers with their livestock to the closest auction. And when they look out on the range at their herds all they see is the bottom line. Their cattle are ear tagged with a number system and no emotional attachment. They are making a good business decision and I have no problem with that. I have done the same thing and will continue to do so. I also know that most have kept their pets from going to the sale too. So, here I am, raising "PETS". And I can not haul my pets to the auction. I have raised them from birth with love so they will trust us and enjoy being a part of my petting zoo. In return they produce milk, meat and fiber as part of our alternative farming program. Let me mention again, that we do not eat our pets. I decide at the time of birth or purchase if they are kept for my petting zoo or raised for sale. PLAN B: "COW LEASE PROGRAM" [may purchase mortality insurance] This program is still in the works but will become more quickly available if you are interested. I am proposing an 18 month cow lease agreement with a minimal sign up fee per cow and a monthly lease payment that will cover maintaining her and having her bred/AI. The monthly maintenance fee will be a percentage of the costs divided by the number of partners [i.e.: 1-4 partners]. You will be able to decide how much stock in her you wish to lease. The 18 months will include [but not be limited to] the following: 18 month Cow Lease Program: 1-3 mo. Weight gain program and drying off period to prepare for breeding. 9 mo. gestation 4-6 mo. nursing At weaning either partner may buy out the other based on fair market value or pre-agreed price or arrangement. [ex: bull-you buy me out, heifer-I buy you out or visa versa] PLAN C: COW SHARE PROGRAM [may purchase mortality insurance] I am working out this cow share program that will give you an opportunity to "Own a Piece of The Cow". You will be able to buy a share of the cow for a fee and then pay a monthly boarding fee to maintain her here on the farm. You won't have to lift a finger to care for her. We will feed and tend to her. What do you get out of it? Well, you get to come pet her once a week! Ha ha! Just kidding. Depending on which cow you buy into you will either receive fresh milk, beef or maybe stock (cowshare) in her heifer calf. BOARDING: Since this is a small farm with no grazing available I have always had to haul in hay and feed for my animals or farm my own hay. And it is very expensive to do this. Now it is twice as expensive. But, with enough cow share owners, I will be able to offer my cows nothing but the best. They deserve it. And it ain't gonna be cheap. And it ain't gonna be for everybody. These programs are more for those of us that want to know what we are eating and drinking, and where it is coming from. You don't even have to want the milk or beef from your share of the cow. You may want to just own/lease a cow, come see her, and know you are helping her get the best she needs. Some places do this as sponsoring an animal. And in a way that is what you are doing, but you will truly own/lease a share of her and get something in return. I am not non-profit yet (if ever) so, I am not able to give you a tax deductible receipt for donations. That is why at this time I am working out this cowshare program. FEED: Since October 2009 I have been feeding mostly whole or cracked grains, cow hay, alfalfa and supplement with molasses and trace minerals. No cubes or processed feeds if at all possible. Getting back to basics and doing things from scratch. CONVENIENCE: This farm is close to you. You could drive further to find a farm with more acreage for grazing their cows, but for at least 5 years now I think, you won't find a farm within a 100 miles or so that hasn't had to feed due to the drought. So, I guess it doesn't matter how many acres you have. PRODUCTS: If you are buying or leasing a share of a working cow, she will produce milk for you if she is a dairy cow or meat if she is a beef cow. Bull calves will be raised as organic or "natural" as possible before processing. A bull calf will give you a share of the meat based on the percentage of your lease/share agreement. Plus fees incurred to process (i.e.: delivery, pick up and storing). Calves are processed at USDA inspected facilities. Heifer calves will be bought back by The Farmyard and raised on the farm until put in our cowshare program. When a cow becomes unproductive, she will be taken out of the program and cared for until it is time to put her down. Only the lease program will only be offered for my older cows. COW LEASE PROGRAM: I am splitting my herd in two or maybe three. I have a Dairy Herd, Beef Herd and a Dairy X Beef Herd. The Dairy Herd are Holstein and Jersey. The Beef Herd are Angus, Limousine and Charlais. The Dairy X Beef Herd are crosses of some of these and "Rosie" [Jersey x Brahma]. The Dairy herd will probably take me the longest to get the kinks worked out. Since, I will be getting them tested for Tuberculosis, Brucellosis and Johnes Disease before selling shares in them. [Note: I have always drank my cows milk with no problem, I'm just wanting to cover all the bases before I offer their shares for sale]. Your share and boarding fee would allow you to receive one gallon of milk per week. Please note that the details for this cowshare program are still in the "works" and are subject to change. Once the details are worked out I can give you a bill of sale for your cowshare and have you sign a boarding contract. To learn more about cow sharing programs, please Google "Texas cow shares" You can find more good info at the Weston A. Price Foundation link also. If you have any suggestions, please feel free to contact me via email on my contact page. For years I have thought about doing this. Now, I am doing it! If you are a like minded person, let's start with my beef cows that are listed below:
If you've always wanted to own a cow, but don't have the place or time for one this might be the thing for you. I'm working out the details now, but if yer interested, please contact me through my contact page and I'll get back to you. Happy Trails, Tall Tales & Tickely Tails! Cowgirl Cheri [Cowgrammy]
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For more info. or reservations, please go to Contact Info. Thanks, "Cowgirl Cheri" Hallisey-Owner, Operator, Milk Maid, Wrangler, Horse Listener, Zoo Keeper... |
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