Cow-sharing is a concept often discussed, but the concept itself isn’t new. Simply put, you purchase a portion of a cow and receive a portion of its meat and milk accordingly. The cost of running a farm and feeding the cattle are deducted from profits, along with the costs of the farmers’ labour.
Consumer Benefits
There are benefits of this approach that are enticing for both the farmers and the consumers. For a consumer, it begins at a lower price. The price of beef will be higher in stores than it would be via cow-sharing, even when all other expenses are deducted.
It is also possible to choose the cuts you will get from the cow, once it’s your turn to purchase them. The prices vary based on what kind of cut you’re getting, as is the case when you buy them in a store or from a butcher. It also gives you a chance to mix and match, ensuring you get the best value possible.
Knowing the farmer you’re working with is also an essential benefit of cow-sharing. This allows you to familiarize yourself with the practices of the farm, choosing the farm you wish to support based on how they operate. This is something you can’t do when working with a butcher or purchasing from a retail store.
Supporting small farms is something everyone should try to do. Small farms deal with larger competitors, often working with little to no governmental assistance, so public support is invaluable. The best way to support farmers is to use market forces with that goal in mind. Cow-sharing is a perfect example. The farmer receives financial support, and you benefit from their services, allowing both sides to prosper from the arrangement.
Farmer Benefits
The arrangement is also useful for the farmer, who will take care of the cow and earn a portion from the sale in the process. Farmer benefits stem from the fact that they acquire a pool of investors: a rarity for small farmers. This will allow them to deal less with banks, providing farmers with sustainability and security. The biggest threat to a farmer is uncertainty in knowing how many of their goods will sell. When a cow is purchased in advance, there is no such issue.
Higher profits stem from the deal as well. A farmer has many other expenses besides the care of livestock, such as marketing and infrastructure costs. Farmers can put their funds to better use, such as focusing on sustainable methods of farming. This allows modern farmers to mitigate their effects on the environment, while also attracting more people into cow-sharing.
Conclusion
Cow-sharing is an innovative way to get fresh produce and fresh meat from local farmers. It is achieved by buying a percentage of a cow’s meat and milk beforehand, receiving your share once it is ready. This benefits both farmers and customers in a variety of ways.