A herd share is a way for you to legally obtain raw milk by purchasing a portion of a milking herd. As a partial owner of the herd, you pay us (the Agister) to care for, feed, and milk the cows. In return, you receive milk from your very own cows.

Herd share openings happen on a first-come, first-served basis. When available, you can buy into the herd through the ‘SHOP’ tab on our website. After purchasing, you’ll receive an invoice for the remaining amount due and a contract to finalize your membership.

If you choose to cancel your herd share, it’s simple—we will buy back your portion of the herd, and all billing will stop.

Your milk will still be available for pickup as usual, and your payments remain the same. You are welcome to have a friend or family member pick up your milk for you.

Milk pickups are scheduled at specific locations throughout the week. When you join the herd share, you’ll choose your designated pickup day and location. If you miss a pickup, we are unable to hold your milk, and it will be forfeited for that week.

We do not routinely administer antibiotics to our cows. If a cow becomes ill and requires treatment, she is removed from the milk line and does not return until her milk is completely free of antibiotics.

Our cows are on pasture 24/7 with the exception of winter months when we pull them to a bedded pack to allow our pastures to rest. During this time, the grass is dormant, and the cows are fed free-choice grass hay. This rest period is critical for regenerating our pastures. We then compost the bedded pack and use it to naturally fertilize our fields, ensuring a sustainable cycle of soil health.

Yes. Our cows receive a custom-milled dairy ration grown and processed locally by one of our mentors, a retired dairy farmer. Despite common misconceptions, dairy cows have been supplemented with grain for over 150 years. Selective breeding has led to dairy cows requiring higher-energy feeds to maintain body condition and metabolic balance.

Our ration includes:
Oats, Corn, Alfalfa pellets, Beet pulp, Sunflower seeds.

Yes! We routinely test our milk to ensure both herd health and milk quality.

Somatic Cell Count (SCC): We regularly monitor SCC, which helps us assess udder health and ensure each cow is in optimal condition.

Bacterial Testing: Every month, we conduct Standard Plate Count and Coliform Count tests to ensure our milk meets the strict quality standards set by the Raw Milk Institute’s Common Standards—less than 10 coliforms per mL and fewer than 5,000 aerobic bacteria per mL.

Disease Testing: Our herd has been tested and cleared by a licensed veterinarian for Brucellosis and Tuberculosis, ensuring a safe and healthy milk supply.

We take milk quality seriously and are committed to providing the cleanest, safest raw milk possible!

We’re happy to answer any other questions you have! Feel free to reach out via email at support@yesteryearfarmnc.com