Stone Organic Pastures

The milk price has remained the same at $8 per gallon since 2005 and has sold successfully at that price.  I have not had to increase the price until now.  I am increasing the price of milk to $9 per gallon effective October 1st, 2007.  I have to raise the price to $12 per gallon effective today (Sept. 26th).  This is not because I want more money; it is because the cost of hay is extremely high and unreasonable.  In Arthur, IL at the sale barn, an average price for a 60 lb. bale of alfalfa hay is $6-8/bale (9.25.07).  (Call them to verify:  217.543.3255)  The reason for the high demand for hay is because of the lack of rain.  There is a shortage of hay right now, which drives hay prices up.  I called multiple people in the hay business and they are out of hay.  Since the drought this fall '07, our pasture has dried up to nothing available for the cows to eat.  This means that I have to start feeding hay earlier in the year (Sept./Oct./Nov.) and pay the high hay prices for these additional months, which normally in a non-drought year, pasture is available.  I am able to obtain 200 bales of alfalfa hay from an organic farm, for $4.50/bale. This hay at $4.50/bale was very poor quality.  My best hay price for 200 bales is $6/bale.  A bale of hay will last the cows 1 day.  This is still very expensive, and I feel that the work I do and the products I sell, should be able to pay for the cows' food.  I have a very high quality product.  I personally feel that it is worth $12 per gallon.  The cows are all grassfed without grain which is beneficial.  It is also raw milk which is beneficial.  It also has a lot of cream on the milk.  The cows are in a natural environment on pasture, not given any hormones or antibiotics.  The product I have is not something that can be bought in a store.

Tim      Sept. 26th, 2007