At Branru Farm, we love our dairy goats. Goat milk is a great product, whether you drink it or use it to make items like our goat milk soaps . However, keeping goats can be an expensive undertaking. The same is true of keeping cows or other farm animals. Producers of raw milk and certain other products derived from farm animals, such as meat, often enter into herd share agreements as a way to earn an extra income. For consumers, there are multiple potential benefits to herd shares. Here is a bit more information about the
herd share process.
What is a Herd share Exactly?
The term “herd share” (sometimes written as “herdshare”) as it applies to a cow or goat farm is similar to the term “boarding” as it applies to a horse stable. When a person boards a horse, it gives him or her the chance to own one without personally having the land on which to keep it or the time to care for it around the clock. In a cow or goat farm herd share situation, a consumer doesn't actually own the animal as in the case of horse
boarding. However, they essentially rent the rights to some or all of the products produced by that animal for a period of time. The producer (farmer) then cares for the animal on the consumer's behalf throughout the year.
Agreements may vary slightly, but typically the farmer accepts either yearly or monthly fees in exchange for caring for the animal. In some situations, depending on state laws, multiple individuals can purchase a share in the same animal. Although, that most often occurs when dealing with large animals like beef cattle. In such cases, renting parties
help pay for the care of the animals until they go to slaughter. Then families collect portions of the meat based on shares owned.
Why We Are Now Offering a Herd share Option at Branru Farm
At Branru Farm , we are now producing more goat milk than we need to create the products like Lilac Soap and Honeysuckle Lotion that we sell. We don't want that extra milk to go to waste, so we have decided to start offering herd shares as of 2024. Many farms of all sizes all over the country offer similar programs, especially in certain states where raw milk sales are prohibited by old laws. Selling herd share options allows farmers in those areas to help pay for the costs of keeping their goats, as well as make sure the milk is utilized by those who need it.
How Does a Herd share Help a Consumer
There are several ways a herd share agreement can help a consumer. Here they are:
It can eliminate the time factor involved in caring for one's own animal.
It allows a consumer who might not have a lot of land to still access products produced by farm animals.
In particular, it can provide a raw milk-loving consumer with access to raw milk, even in states where sale of raw milk is not allowed. Thus, consumers can reap the health benefits of raw milk .
There are also group benefits when consumers participate in herd shares. Successful herd share operations sometimes help sustain struggling communities. Individuals can pool their resources to invest in herds together, making it easier to supply milk and other farm products to everyone in the area.
Words of Caution Regarding Herd shares
A herd share agreement can be great for all parties, but it isn't without risks entirely, especially if you are a consumer. It is always possible that the animal(s) in which you invest can become ill or pass away. Also, as a consumer, you need to understand that you may pay for an animal's upkeep all year, but there may be a short time when the goat is not producing milk due to being pregnant and you may not reap any benefit from the investment other than guaranteed milk when it is available again. Still, it can be a great option if you want access to fresh, raw milk.
Regardless of whether you are a consumer or producer, another important thing to note before becoming involved in herd share is that laws vary widely between states and may change at any point. Some states have statewide laws. Others allow individual towns to establish their own guidelines. It is vital to familiarize yourself with the laws in your geographic area before you enter into a herd share agreement. As long as you do that, a
herd share can be beneficial for everyone involved.