There are 3 main costs involved with being a herd share owner.

1. The first is the initial share cost and a one-time only fee. This fee will depend on how many shares you purchase. This fee will be reimbursed if owner decides to sell back their shares to us.

2. The second fee is the monthly boarding and care fee. This fee will be due on the first of every month and is reoccurring until given notice to cancel. This fee will depend on the number of shares you purchase. We sell shares in increments of ½ to 4. The share size is equal to the number of gallons of milk you will receive each week. For example, 1½ shares is equal to 1½ gallons of raw milk per week and you will receive 3 jars per week. All milk will be bottled in half gallon glass jars. To see a breakdown of share cost, click here.

3. The third cost is a jar deposit. The herd share owner will pay a deposit of five dollars per half gallon jar and lid supplied by us for the storage of milk. The herd share owner is responsible for cleaning, drying and returning the jars and lids each week during milk pickup. Any deposit will be refunded to owner if jars and lids are returned intact to us upon termination of contract. We may impose an additional fee to replace broken, unclean, unreturned, or unusable jars. Jars and lids will be sanitized by us prior to refilling with milk.

• The safety and quality of raw milk always starts with the health of the cow. In general, all dairy cows can be fed grain but not all dairy cows are genetically predisposed to be fed a grass-based diet only. This is why we have sought out Jersey cows with grass-fed genetics. Our cows have no issues holding body condition on a grass-based diet while also providing that delicious raw milk we all know and love. Our cows are raised on pasture and are grass and forage fed, they have access to free-choice hay, free-choice minerals, and water 24/7. During milking, they receive alfalfa pellets and a teff grass pellet mixture with some extra vitamins, minerals, and probiotics on top. They always coming running for alfalfa.

• We believe drinking A2/A2 raw milk is more easily digestible than drinking A1/A1 or A1/A2 milk. All of our Jersey cows have the A2/A2 gene. We have genetically tested our cows for this gene and also breed our cows for this desired trait. Herd share owners will have access to test results.

• Antibiotic usage for growth and production will never be allowed in our cows or milk. If one of our cows has an illness or injury, we will treat holistically first. If the holistic treatment fails, we will then use antibiotics during the time of illness or injury to aid in healing. Milk from the cow that is treated with antibiotics will not be consumed until the milk is tested and no antibiotic residue is detected. Herd share owners will always be fully informed of the cow’s treatment provided.

• The whole herd is tested annually by our vet for Johnes, Brucellosis, Tuberculosis, BVD, and BLV. We also regularly monitor Somatic Cell Count (SCC). Herd share owners will have access to these results.

Cleanliness is one of our top priorities in order to produce safe, clean raw milk for our herd share members. Raw Milk Institute (RAWMI) has been a huge influence on our milking routine. Part of RAWMI’s purpose “teaches well-established scientific principles and good manufacturing methods to assist farmers to produce hygienic safe raw milk.” I follow their proven methods for raw milk udder preparation and handling of the milk afterwards.

Milking routine:

1. Wash hands with soap and water. Dry hands with a clean rag.

2. All clean milking equipment is sanitized immediately before use.

3. Brush and inspect the cow all over, including the udder, to remove loose dirt, hair and debris.

4. Clean the udder and teats with warm soapy water and clean rags followed by an iodine udder wash and clean rags.

5. Pre-dip each teat in an iodine based teat dip and wipe off with a clean rag after a minimum of 30 seconds.

6. Strip each teat into a cup with a filter and visually inspect the milk for any abnormalities.

7. Apply the milking machine.

8. After milking, an iodine based post-dip is applied to teats.

9. Wash hands with soap and water and dry hands with clean rag before filtering milk and rapid chilling. Milk is tested for CC and SPC after it has been fully chilled. Read the next section to find out about daily milk testing.

10. All milking equipment used is cleaned with a dairy approved detergent followed by an acid rinse. All equipment is throughly rinsed in hot water after cleaning and inverted to dry. Jars and lids are also sanitized prior to refilling.

We test our milk daily in our on-site lab by running a Coliform Count (CC) and Standard Plate Count (SPC). This is to provide formal assurance that the milk meets our rigid low count standards before consumption. As stated by RAWMI, “These two test can serve as general indicators that your milk is being produced in such a way that it is unlikely to harbor pathogens.” RAWMI has established strict guidelines for raw milk producers to follow that is effective at meeting their low count standards for CC and SPC. As always, test results will be available to herd share owners.

• Herd share owners will be able to pick up their raw milk in Monahans on a predetermined day of the week and time. Location for pick-up TBD.

• Delivery service to Midland/Odessa will be available for $5 a week. Pick up location, day of the week and time TBD.