Dairy Farming is More Than Just Being a Farmer
Dairy farming and the farmers themselves are a source of information for the community. Almost all dairy farms in the United States are family-owned and support local communities. Farmers can be a source of knowledge and expertise regarding food production and agricultural practices for the average consumer. Together, farmers and consumers can work towards a healthier tomorrow.
Why Dairy Farming is Special
“We want to educate [people] about how we take care of our cows. Our cows are our life,” says Celia Harrison of Sweetwater Valley Farms in Philadelphia, Tennessee.
And it is true. Dairy farming is a livelihood that relies on the relationship between farmers and their cows. Farmers spend the day with their cows or performing tasks for the benefit of their cows. Farmers ensure that they have nutritious feed by working with nutritionists and healthy bodies by working with veterinarians.
“The only way for a dairy farmer to be profitable is to take care of his animals,” says Kevin Cornett. “A general rule of thumb is, ‘If I don’t treat my animals ethically and treat them humanely, they are not going to take care of me.’”
Some of the innovations on today’s dairy farms relate to cow comfort and health.
Milking Cows
In the barn, cows have automatic brushers for the cows to use on their backs, misters and fans to keep a cool and comfortable living area, and beds that cows can lounge on throughout the day. Barns may be equipped with a foot bath for cows to quickly clean off their hooves following a day in the field.
Milking machines are designed not just for efficiency, but to ensure the cow is comfortable throughout the process. Some designs even provide cows a snack as they patiently wait for the machine to finish pumping the fresh milk. Dairy farms may have robotic milkers, allowing the cows to be milked at their preferred time. This cutting-edge technology also allows farm families and their employees more time to focus on other aspects of the cow, such as cow comfort, herd health, and management as they continue to maintain the farm.
“People are curious and we want them to see the truth and see the real life of what’s going on at a dairy farm,” summarizes Mary Lindal Harrison of Sweetwater Valley.
To learn more about dairy farming and dairy farmers, visit our Meet Our Dairy Farmers section.
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