The experience of milking your own cow

Whoever says that you have to be a farmer if you would like to keep a cow, has been wrong for quite a while. Nowadays, townspeople can experience one advantage of life in the country. Who is in the position to say “I have eaten some cheese by my own cow” or “ Berta’s milk has been especially yummy today”?

The answer is simple: people who lease a cow.

This not quite uncommon trend is becoming more and more popular. How does it work?  Very simple:

Cows can be leased on many websites. They can be rented upon request for one’s own use on www.kuhforyou.at, www.kuhleasing.ch and also on the German page www.pferdehof-kauert.de. On some sites you can even select your own cow online.  Other providers will send an individualised offer to interested “urban farmers”.

What can I do with my cow?

Visit it any time, take snapshots and become acquainted with agriculture hands-on. Very often accommodation is provided in a guest house which is connected with the farm where milk from one’s own cow is served for breakfast. It may occur that one is obligated to help with the daily farm work, like clearing the dung out of the stables, feeding the animals or milking them.

This business idea also holds some benefits for the farmer. The risk of price fluctuations can be circumvented, outlay can be reduced, income is steadier and problems arising in direct marketing may be avoided.

These farmers also want to show that life without bothering permanently about consumption and profit is achievable. Also, city people can gain deeper insight into country life. New attractions in local areas are being created to present agriculture as state-of-the-art.

What do I get from having my own cow?

Well, who wouldn’t like to give their own cheese as a gift to their friends and relatives? Your cow lets you know where a good piece of meat or your delicious glass of milk is from. Anybody can watch their dog or cat grow up – but, you have seen way more when you lease your cow already as a calf.

Prices for this innovative opportunity for coming closer to agriculture vary. Of course, the annual price would increase, depending on the yield you would like to obtain from your cow.

We believe this is a grand and incredibly peppy idea. What do you think?