Looking for pasture-raised meats? We've reorganized, and the meats are now raised by Shady Grove Ranch. Same farm, same farmers, new name!
TrueFields LLC Herd-Share Program
What is a herdshare?
A herdshare (also known as a cowshare) is a legal agreement between a farmer and a consumer in which the consumer purchases part of a dairy herd or cow and pays a regular fee for upkeep of their share of the herd or cow. Normally a Bill of Sale is executed, and often an Agistment or “grazing” agreement is drafted and signed as well. Since the consumer owns a share of the herd, they are legally entitled to a share of the herd production.
Why do some farmers use herdshares instead of just selling their milk by the gallon?
The State of Texas prohibits unlicensed sales of raw milk. In order to obtain licensure, dairies must have indoor milking parlors, special bottling rooms, monitored chilling, and they must submit milk samples each month for various required testing. The State also requires certain testing of the animals used in the milk line, such as brucellosis and tuberculosis. The license costs $800 per two years plus monthly inspection fees based on volume of milk produced. Farmers who are licensed Grade A Raw for Retail are not permitted to transport the milk anywhere. Consumers must always purchase at the farm.
These regulations place a heavy burden on small operations in terms of equipment and facility costs, license costs, and ability to assist customers in obtaining their dairy products. Some farmers opt to sell their herd instead and work as a sort of housekeeper, in much the same way as you might hire someone to cook your meals. You may, as an American citizen, enter into private contract with whomever you wish, in much the same way as you might hire a personal chef. However, should that chef set up shop and try to sell meals to folks without a license and the proper facilities, he would be penalized by the state.
Herdshares significantly reduce the costs to farmers and they help the farmer to manage the herd more knowledgeably. The farmer never has to wonder how many gallons of milk he will sell that week—he doesn’t sell milk at all! He only has to ensure the herd owners pick up their share of production. There is much security for both farmer and consumer in being able to anticipate and plan for milk production. Herdshare programs helps the farmer know precisely when he needs to expand or reduce the herd and how often to breed cows or sell calves.
What if I go on vacation?
Generally when people go on vacation, they let us know ahead of time, and we either save that week’s worth of milk for the next time (which makes great butter, yogurt, or icecream!), or they give their milk to someone else.
My dairy herd is kept an hour away. Can I pick up every other week?
Many farmers offer staggered pickup for out-of-towners. Monthly boarding fee stays the same, you just pick up twice the milk half as frequently! Typically, raw milk keeps for at least 2 weeks, but some people claim it keeps for 6 weeks! We generally recommend keeping it very cold, and it will easily keep 3 weeks.
Another option is to team up with other herd owners and take turns driving to your herd to pick up milk.
I have a huge family. Is it possible to get a discount?
Many herdshare programs discount the boarding on multiple shares, as most standard boarding fees will cover many of the basic costs for the herd upkeep. Ask your Agister (herd manager).
It’s just me, and I can’t drink a gallon per week!
Many herdshare programs offer half shares for half the boarding fee.
How much does this work out to per gallon?
Herdshare programs vary significantly in cost. When you calculate the price per gallon, it can range from $5-$14 per gallon! That seems very high compared to grocery store prices, and even compared to certified organic prices. As for TrueFields LLC, our boarding fee enables us to keep one of the healthiest herds in east Texas. We manage it without compromise in quality.
This means our herd owners receive milk that has not been produced by cows fed genetically modified grains. The cows receive absolutely no soy, which is high in anti-nutrients, goitrogens, and phytoestrogens. The cows are kept on organically managed pastures which are fertilized and aerated by our own chickens. We supplement high quality minerals year round to ensure our herd’s health. And we intensively manage herd health by getting to know our cows, treating problems early and by natural means, and being proactive in managing their nutrition. It’s not easy to keep a dairy herd this way, but we think it’s worth the effort to get such a whole and nourishing food like raw milk.
