Heard of the milk cliff? We're glad we've got goats!

We actually got goats for the milk because we were spending $9/gal to get local raw milk. And that was the price for the cow share! Their retail price is $11/gal! We had to do a line item in our budget for milk because we were going through 2 gallons a week. Now we more than break even with our 2 ND does. Unfortunately they are both dry right now. We are waiting for kids in February. I can't wait. Our one doe dried up toward the end of November and our other will be a FF in April (I hope, I'm about to pull blood and send it off to find out if she really is prego).
-K

I wouldn't count on the dairies making a lot of money on this. They have been subsidized and haven't really felt the effects of the higher feed prices. In the past year we have had 3 local dairies shut down and the news reported that this year, state wide, over 50 dairies have gone out of business. After hearing that report in Nov and watching to cows from the local dairies being shipped off we decided to find some goats. Our first had twins last Sat, now I need to learn to make cheese and figure out how to get the cream for butter.

Well, sounds as though there are a lot of really informed people on this forum concerning our economy and our country. I doubt that the price of milk will go down once it goes up to the higher price. Never heard of the price of anything going dramatically down once it goes up. It might fluctuate a small amount but it won't go back to what it is now again. I'm afraid this is just the beginning of prices increasing on food items and feed for animals. There are less food animals out there than last year because of the drought and the reduced supply of grains. Many farms reduced the size of their herds in order to cut costs. Kind of scary, isn't it?

madcow said:

Well, sounds as though there are a lot of really informed people on this forum concerning our economy and our country. I doubt that the price of milk will go down once it goes up to the higher price. Never heard of the price of anything going dramatically down once it goes up. It might fluctuate a small amount but it won't go back to what it is now again. I'm afraid this is just the beginning of prices increasing on food items and feed for animals. There are less food animals out there than last year because of the drought and the reduced supply of grains. Many farms reduced the size of their herds in order to cut costs. Kind of scary, isn't it?

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The price will go down because people will not and can not pay 8-10$ for a gal of milk. I think that it will stay up for a month or two and will drop. Maybe not to where it is now but they can not keep it that high for a long period of time.

It of course isn't just about the milk. It takes milk for any kind of cheese and butter. This will effect every restaurant, school lunches, hospitals etc. Instead of the nice family treat of a pizza at $10 that would now be $20. Food is big industry.

Where a government controls the food... they control the people. With as many people that are having to have food stamps just think how many more people will now be added to the program. People becoming more and more dependent on "government". The sale of raw milk being illegal in most states just adds to the control. Once the price goes up it will not come down.

Most of the dairies here have long been closed down because what farmer wants to work that hard to break even every year.
This will not be good for the dairy farmers who are left.

All very true, which is why I brought this up.

I'm not against farmers, but I wonder what we're doing subsidizing the milk industry to the point where if they don't make a new bill the subsidies require the prices to go through the roof. Sort of a price-fixing thing. It doesn't work well.

I believe in free market capitalism, which means that the market will set the price, not the government. I think most people are willing to pay for milk, but not at a price percentage that was set in 1949 when milking was labor-intensive. If the price of producing milk was truly that high, we'd see the market level out somewhere in a happy medium. I suspect many dairies would simply change to more efficient methods, thus making more money.

I don't believe government should control our food supply, which is why we're going more self-sufficient. Don't get me wrong, I still shop at stores, but I try very hard to make our own food.

Cheese and butter are huge. That's why we've gone with goats.

SkyWarrior said:

PendergrassRanch said:

Good thing I gave up cow milk years ago. I drink almond milk and even cook with it

The man buys cow milk, won't touch goat products. He doesn't use it for much except cereal which he rarely eats.

I hope the figure it out though. My elderly client will not be happy!

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Almond milk? Seriously? Yes, I've tasted it. No, I wouldn't drink it.

You vegan or intolerant? That's the only thing I could think of that would keep one from drinking fresh goat's milk.

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I love almond milk!!

I have no issue or dietary reasons, I just prefer the taste. It also has some nutritional benefits that real milk lacks. I buy almond milk for me, but 2% for hubby. I also grow my own kefir (milk), so I use the 2% milk for that as well. Variety is good!

As far as food and feed goes, we are all going to get to participate in some times I think. I really really hope I'm wrong. But I do not think so.

Southern by choice said:

It of course isn't just about the milk. It takes milk for any kind of cheese and butter. This will effect every restaurant, school lunches, hospitals etc. Instead of the nice family treat of a pizza at $10 that would now be $20. Food is big industry.

Where a government controls the food... they control the people. With as many people that are having to have food stamps just think how many more people will now be added to the program. People becoming more and more dependent on "government". The sale of raw milk being illegal in most states just adds to the control. Once the price goes up it will not come down.

Most of the dairies here have long been closed down because what farmer wants to work that hard to break even every year.
This will not be good for the dairy farmers who are left.

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Milk is just a focal right now. Agree it is about far more than milk and the effect is going to be felt across the boards.

We wouldn't be in this mess if the controls went away and a true FREE MARKET reigned.

As to subsidies. You all realize that everyone pays for it in a huge way in their taxes. Last time I looked it up it takes over $7.00 in tax money collected for every dollar that reaches the end source in the form of a subsidy. Reality is we are all better off without them.

Interesting thing about milk substitutes that will likely occur. WHEN the dairy prices go up there will be greater strains on the alternate sources and that will drive the prices of those up also.

Only hope of ever getting it all under control is to lessen the reliance on imports. God knows if banana republics like ecuador and venezuela can go from 80% reliance on imported food to less than 20% then there is no reason why we cannot.

Ah well at least you wont have all those damm Canadians crossing the border to shop for cheap milk and butter. Yes thats right subsidies allow Canadians close enough to shop till they drop oh and fill up the tank on the way home.
Sorry but I think it is going to be tough for all of us but even worse for you guys South. Is this the time to wish you all a Very Happy New Year