Our goal is long-term herd health and sustainable stewardship, not uninterrupted volume. Participating in a herd share means participating in the full lifecycle of the animals. As such, I'm sure you all have questions. Here are some we anticipate.

Why will there be a dry period this summer?

Both of our cows will be entering their natural dry period before calving. Cows require a rest period prior to freshening in order to maintain long-term health and proper milk production.

One pregnancy occurred earlier than expected, and the other cow has been in milk for an extended period and needs to dry off appropriately. This is a normal and healthy part of responsible herd management.

How long will the dry period last?

We expect approximately 2–3 months beginning around June 1.

As with people, due dates can vary slightly, and we also allow margin for any calving or recovery needs. Milk production will resume after freshening.

Will you continue adding new members during the dry period?

No.

During the dry period, we will temporarily close the herd share to new members and maintain a waitlist. We prefer to evaluate herd production after freshening before expanding share availability.

Why don’t you just buy another cow?

We manage our herd for long-term health and sustainability, not continuous output.

Adding a cow simply to smooth production would mean introducing outside animals, health testing, quarantine, and long-term expansion decisions. At this time, that is not something we have the resources to support responsibly.

How do you manage the number of shares in the herd?

We intentionally limit the number of shares relative to herd production so that existing members receive a consistent allocation over time.

There have been seasons when production has been strong, and during those times we have distributed additional milk rather than increasing share volume. In other seasons, production naturally slows or pauses and we close the program to new members.

We make long-term decisions about herd size and share count carefully so that current members are not diluted in times of abundance or scarcity.

Participating in a herd share means participating in the full cycle of production, and we manage that cycle with long-term stability in mind.

Am I still required to pay boarding fees during the dry period?

Yes.

The herd share agreement is structured as a boarding and co-ownership agreement. Boarding and herd care continue year-round, even when milk production varies or pauses.

Milk allocation is estimated and based on actual production, which naturally fluctuates throughout the year. We always plan so that each cow will have at least a 60 day dry period.

The estimated 1/2 gallon per share is an average expectation over time, not a guaranteed weekly minimum. 

What exactly am I paying for during the dry period?

Boarding fees cover:

  • Feed and pasture management
  • Veterinary oversight
  • Daily care and handling
  • Milking operations when in production
  • Herd management year-round

Even during a dry period, the cows continue to eat, receive care, and be managed in preparation for freshening.

Participating in a herd share also means supporting your local farm through the full lifecycle of the animals, not just during peak production. Your boarding fee helps ensure the herd remains healthy, sustainable, and ready to produce well after calving.

What are my options if this timing does not work for me?

Either party may terminate the agreement with 30 days written notice.

We are communicating this early so families have time to make a thoughtful decision that works for them.

If I terminate now, can I rejoin later?

Yes.

If you choose to terminate your agreement, you are welcome to rejoin when the herd share program reopens to new members. Because termination ends the existing agreement, re-entry would occur under the current share pricing at that time and would be subject to availability.

During the dry period, we will be maintaining a waitlist and evaluating herd production after freshening before reopening enrollment.

Will milk production be strong after freshening?

After calving, production typically returns strong. Fresh cows often produce well in early lactation.

As always, allocation will reflect actual herd production.

Is this unusual?

No.

Dry periods are a normal part of dairy animal management. In larger commercial dairies, production is often staggered across many animals. In a small herd share model with a limited number of cows, cycles can align.

This is one of the realities of participating in a small, real herd.

Why are you telling us this so early?

We value transparency.

Providing notice well in advance allows members to plan, ask questions, and make informed decisions without feeling rushed.