Feeding livestock is one of the biggest expenses on any farm, and it’s a critical part of keeping animals healthy and happy. While the cost can vary depending on the size of your herd or flock, the feed type, and local availability, it’s important to plan ahead to avoid surprises. Here’s a look at the monthly feeding expenses on our farm and some tips on how to manage the cost.  

Monthly Feed Breakdown

To give you a better idea of what we spend, here’s a breakdown of our current monthly feed expenses:  

This total doesn’t include treats or the cost of hay, which is a major additional expense for farms with grazing animals.  

The Cost of Hay

For grazing livestock like cattle, sheep, goats, and donkeys, hay is essential—especially during winter when pasture grass is unavailable. Last year, we spent the following on hay.

On average, this adds about $179.17 per month to our feeding costs, bringing our total monthly average (including hay) to $721.17.  

Treats: More Than Just a Snack

While not essential to livestock diets, treats are a regular part of life on our farm. Since this is an optional expense, we haven’t included it in our monthly average. However, treats bring a lot of joy to both us and our animals:

• Cows: Our cows love bananas. We get about 20 pounds of bananas every week just to keep them happy.
• Goats: If we don’t have a couple of treats in our pockets during feeding time, the goats make sure we hear about it! They’re always ready for a snack.
• Chickens: When our garden is resting, we buy the chickens fresh fruit and veggies to keep them busy and satisfied.

While treats aren’t necessary for nutrition, they help build trust and keep our animals engaged and happy.

Managing Feed Costs

While feeding livestock will always be a significant expense, there are ways to manage and even reduce costs:  

1. Buy in Bulk: Purchasing feed in larger quantities can lead to significant savings over time. Just be sure you have a dry, pest-proof storage space.  

2. Rotate Pastures: Proper pasture management can reduce the amount of hay needed, especially during grazing seasons.  

3. Supplement Strategically: Offering treats or additional supplements can help round out your livestock’s nutrition without breaking the bank.  

4. Shop Around: Feed prices can vary widely depending on the store, brand, or time of year. Keep an eye out for sales or discounts.  

5. Consider Alternative Feeds: Sometimes, alternative feeds (like beet pulp or brewer’s grains) can be a cost-effective way to supplement diets without sacrificing nutrition.  

Feeding from the Garden

During the growing season, we also grow fresh food in our garden specifically for our animals. This includes:

• Fresh Greens: Our chickens and goats love munching on extra greens.
• Root Vegetables: Carrots, beets, and turnips are favorite snacks for many of our animals.
• Squash and Pumpkins: These are nutritious treats that our animals enjoy.

Growing food for our animals not only reduces feed costs but also ensures they’re getting fresh, high-quality nutrition. Plus, it cuts down on food waste since any extra produce that doesn’t make it to our table goes straight to the animals!

Planning Ahead

Feeding livestock is an ongoing commitment, but understanding and tracking expenses can help you plan ahead and stay within your farm’s budget. By making thoughtful decisions about feed types and purchasing strategies, it’s possible to keep your animals healthy without overspending.  

The Cost of Farming Goes Beyond Feed

While these numbers show the cost of feeding our animals, they don’t tell the whole story of what it takes to run a farm. Feeding is just one expense—on top of that, we also have to consider the cost of bedding for the animals, water, electricity for the barn and fencing, heated waterers in the winter, and general upkeep of farm infrastructure. Fencing repairs, fuel and maintenance for farm equipment like tractors, and other unexpected costs all add up. Farming isn’t just about putting food in the trough; it’s a continuous cycle of maintenance, planning, and adapting to the seasons.

Now, don’t let this scare you away from starting your own farm or raising livestock! If anything, I want you to learn from my experiences so you don’t feel like you’re drowning right out of the gate. When I first started, I jumped in with both feet and quickly realized just how deep the water was. But over time, through plenty of trial and error, I found my footing and built a solid foundation.  

If there’s one thing I hope you take away from this, it’s that planning and budgeting are absolutely crucial to the success of your farm. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of new animals, projects, and possibilities, but without a plan, things can spiral fast. So take the time to prepare, set realistic goals, and create a budget that keeps your dream farm sustainable. Trust me, your future self (and your animals) will thank you!  

How do you manage feeding costs on your farm? Share your tips and experiences in the comments below—we’d love to hear from you!