Thanks all , you've been most helpful.
I agree that 50 gals per week wouldn't be profitable on a long term basis , what I was thinking , was setting up a facility that could process 50 gals at a time , probably only making one batch a week as I was learning the business , as my time is limited right now with my other business.
Then possibly increasing processing to 50 gals four or five times a week , I doubt I would ever want to get any larger than that (although I guess you never know) , so the 50 gals was just for vat size , facilities , etc.
I currently run a profitable business of my own and was thinking of getting into cheese making slowly . so I'm sure the start up cost would be justified eventually , any business is a gamble , but I'm sure I could make it work.
As for purchasing milk , I am lucky in that I have a friend who owns a large dairy and will sell me 50 gals at a time.
I've also been looking into some government funding , nice if you can get it , but I would still go it on my own if there's nothing available.
I am researching this from the Canadian Dairy Commission:
Matching Investment Fund
CANADIAN DAIRY COMMISSION, GOVERNMENT OF CANADA
APPLIES TO: All of Canada
Do you produce milk products or manufacture processed products made from milk? You could get up to $150,000 to develop new or improved products. Up to $25,000 can be used for consultation services, while remaining funds must be allocated to product development activities.
You should:
Be a registered Canadian company
Have a milk processing licence (dairy product manufacturers only)
Make foods, drinks or other products using milk
Provide 50% of the costs
Create a product that increases the use of milk
You are eligible for a reimbursement of up to 100% of eligible costs for the first $10,000 spent on a project. This includes:
Up to $5,000 for consultation activities
Up to $5,000 for product development activities.
I'll be starting with the Dairy Workers course through BCIT as a first step.
Thanks again for all the replies , any more input is appreciated.
Cheers! Jim.