Milk Prices in NY

trainmaster · Oct 15, 2010

I have a question about the difference in milk price between Holsteins and Jerseys. I can get an all milk price, but I would like to see what kind of spread there is for higher fat and protein Jerseys. I would like to start a dairy herd in western NY, and I am leaning towards Jerseys as opposed to Holsteins. Anyone wishing to e-mail me with information, it's open. Thanks.

mikehur · Oct 15, 2010

I have a jersey herd in PA. Milk price is based on components rather than volume. You can find the prior months prices at

http://www.fmmone.com/Northeast_Order_Prices/NE_Prices_main_new.htm#Component

Last month, a pound of protein brought $2.30 and a pound of butterfat brought $2.40. So a hundredweight of Jersey milk at 3.7% P and 4.8% BF would yield ($2.30 times 3.7) plus ($2.40 times 4.8) equals $20.03 . A hundredweight of Holstein milk at 3.0% P and 3.5% BF would yield ($2.30 times 3.0) plus ($2.40 times 3.5) equals $15.30 .

Anonymous-0 · Oct 15, 2010

The input costs for the Jerseys is less than the Holstein too.

camju · Oct 15, 2010

Yep,a jersey eats half of what a holstien does,and there alot easier to push around when the need arises.A holstien will push you around.

RodinNS · Oct 15, 2010

Those seem like rather low numbers for a holstein... Last 4-5 months we're been averaging about 3.9 for fat and 3.5 for protein and I know some guys running a lot higher fat. 4.5 is not too uncommon... Some individuals test much higher.
I think the overall numbers are still in favor of black and white if they're on the right diet..

Rod

just another old geezer · Oct 15, 2010

a few years ago my uncle visited a dairy farm at an ag college in east canada. they had one half of the herd holstiens, one half of the herd jerseys. they told him that over the years the holstiens made SLIGHTLY more money than the jerseys. If it's that close, it comes down to a matter of personel prefference. I like my holstiens.

Anonymous-0 · Oct 15, 2010

Why would you want to milk,especially in NY?There are thousands of ways to lose money without working 365 days a year. Got to be a reason for all the closed up dairy farms.

trainmaster · Oct 15, 2010

Thanks for your replies. I've always wanted to dairy farm and changes in my life now force me to change occupations. In this job environment it's not easy, hence dairy farming. I've had the 9-5 and had the lousy bosses,poor management, and lay-offs that companies offer. I'm tired of it. Thanks again.

george md · Oct 15, 2010

Rod ,

I agree, with an all black and white
except 1 herd , our butter fat test ran
4.0 to4.1 all the time.

Dad always said anyone that owned jerseys
was too proud to own a goat and too poor to
own a cow.

george

RodinNS · Oct 15, 2010

LOL. I know some guys that keep some jersey crosses around here. They're not a bad little cow except for the dirty nature... but I don't think they're gaining a lot with them either.
I also know another guy who I suspect is keeping a 4.5 fat average with holsteins. I've bought some cows from him at different times and those cows are holding 4.5% plus on their first test here... and then they slack of a bit... so I'm inclined to think that whatever he's feeding... he's got it figuered out anyhow. I know he's pretty particular about getting the correct amount of fiber in the diet. It pays tho. No jersey is going to hold 100 # milk at 4.5% and last any length of time. At the end of the year... that's a LOT of fat. It covers the upkeep on the bigger cow.

Rod

NY 986 · Oct 15, 2010

If you are going to do it with any debt I would forget about it. I know good dairy farmers that are good managers and it is getting to the point (if it has not already) where they are considering tapping their equity. Used to be guys could start with junk equipment and move up but it seems like they remain stuck with junk anymore.
I would say being in a very unique situation of acquiring very productive land (extremely hard to do without connections here in Western NY) and very productive cows without debt is the only way to have any chance at all. The big time dairies here are willing to seriously outbid competition to pick up more ground. Normally I am an optimist but everybody I see anymore is struggling in the dairy business. Good luck.

Stuart · Oct 15, 2010

Yeah and how long are the cows lasting? Whats the RHA????

Fordfarmer · Oct 15, 2010

My holsteins are running about 4.1% butterfat, and 3.2% protein. RHA is just under 20,000 - largely held down by not-the-best hay. (20 years ago, when this was Grandpa's herd, RHA was just under 12,000) I have several over 8 yrs. old. Just lost a cow last week - she was 2 months short of being 14 years old. High test DOES NOT mean they can't last.

Bruce from Can. · Oct 16, 2010

Don't know much about USA milk price, as I am in CANADA, But I kept Holsteins for years , now I have Jerseys and they keep me!! Our fat test ave for last year 5.3 % That gave me a average pay out of $95.00 per hundred litres. Hoards Dairyman showed numbers a few months back that Jerseys were more profitable than other breeds in the current milk pricing structure ,more profit per pound of cow to feed.

The Swanndri Guy · Oct 16, 2010

You want Holstein/Jersey Crossbreeds. First cross is the best, then use Crossbreed bulls over them.By far the best compromise, rather than being straight Holstein or Jersey.TSG.

bison · Oct 16, 2010

Forget milking cows,you're gonna be a slave for the rest of your life 24/7/365.I done it for 30 yrs.
Get yourself a herd of bison and live an easy life.Prices are good today and for the future.

supergrumpy · Oct 16, 2010

amen on that

had serious conversation last week with serious farmer up in Charlton, milking 150 head and just keeping his head above water with help from his brothers plus his wife's apple pie shop, has no budget for new equipment

have been told that Dave Woods is milking 900 but not sure if he is making any money

dieseldoc · Oct 16, 2010

Want to move to Iowa? I will sell you the farm, the cows, and all the equipment. I will even throw in 2000 tons of corn silage and 500 tons of haylage.

dieseldoc · Oct 16, 2010

Totally agree with you. Same story here in Iowa. Make barely enough to survive an no extra money to buy ANYTHING.Some days I wonder why I even waste my time doing it.

Stuart · Oct 16, 2010

Well they should last a long time.Your not pushing them that hard. Last time I had an RHA under 20,000 was about 1985.

Milk Prices in NY

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