The Dairy Industry is So Much More Than You Think
The dairy industry is more than the classic red barn you may think of when you consider the dairy. It’s a modern industry. Dairy farmers no longer milk the cows by hand—they have systems for that now, but some even use robots! And it goes beyond the technology implemented. The industry has greatly evolved, with farmers putting practices on the farm to increase efficiency and safety while discovering more tasty dairy products for consumers to enjoy. Today’s industry is so much more than you think, as dairy farmers run a family business that can keep up with the demands of the modern consumer.
Dairy farming continues to evolve in other ways, too.
Dairy and the Economy
Dairies support the economic well-being of rural America. Every dollar spent locally by a dairy farmer creates a multiplier effect of more than 2.5 times the original dollar spent. The dairy industry is helping U.S. communities thrive through the more than 3 million jobs dairy supports and partnerships that ensure dairy is accessible to those who need it most.
Dairy and the Environment
Dairy farms have implemented sustainable practices to improve the use of resources, like recycling water throughout the operation. Through their natural digestive process, captured methane from cows can provide renewable power to surrounding communities that is cleaner than fossil fuel options. And that’s not all that cows can do for the farm. Farmers may grow crops on the farm to be used for cows’ feed. Farmers will use the manure produced to fertilize the soil used for these crops, keeping a well-maintained and healthy soil.
“Cows are just amazing animals,” summarizes Kevin Cornett. “Everything that we grow is put back in the cows, then we fertilize with that manure from those cows to make the crops again.”
Dairy cows are multi-tasking wonders by producing nutritious food for people, enriching soil for crops, and increasing energy efficiency for communities. And it’s all in the name of sustainability and efficiency.
“Farmers more than ever are more focused on the sustainability of farming,” says Charles Allen Harrison of Sweetwater Valley Farm in Tennessee. “They are being driven by the data and the science and the technology behind it.”
These efforts aren’t only for the benefit of the dairy farm, but also for the local community and those who enjoy dairy foods. Research shows that the U.S. dairy industry accounts for just 2% of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. Dairy farmers are working on ways to reduce that figure even more. Farmers are committed to making their farms more environmentally friendly, but they need the partnership of consumers to make as large as a positive impact as possible.
Dairy and the Community
Dairy farmers help their communities access nutritious dairy foods. Each year, farmers and dairy companies work with local food banks to deliver nutritious dairy foods to those in need, providing 469 million pounds of dairy—including milk, cheese, and yogurt—to Feeding America in 2020 alone, representing a growth of 116 million pounds. These contributions help families and give them access to foods that farmers can stand behind in terms of nutrition and safety.
Learn more about the dairy industry and dairy in your community here or visit a local farm to discover how dairy is part of your community.
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