Dairy farmers work to sustaining natural resources

Fact sheet

Today, many people not only want to know that the food products they consume are healthy for them, but that they have been produced in such a way that is healthy for the environment.  The nation’s dairy farmers share this interest too. 

“My family lives on this land. It’s more than a farm. It’s our home,” said Randy Davis, a dairy farmer from Philadelphia, Tenn.

Dairy farmers employ a wide range of environmentally sound practices including manure management, water recycling systems, conservation tillage and grass waterways, and routine water testing.  These stewardship practices are enhanced by working with experts at state and federal departments of natural resources, Cooperative Extension Service and land grant universities.

Dairy Manure -- A Natural Fertilizer

Dairy farmers know that livestock manure naturally replenishes the soil so crops grow better. It also replaces the need for commercial fertilizer.  Manure is applied on crop fields according to a detailed manure management plan.  The plan takes into account soil type, nutrient deficiencies of the soil, analysis of the manure and crop needs.  Livestock manure is a valuable byproduct of dairy cows.  The manure enhances the nutrient profile of the soil, improves organic matter of the soil and increases the water-holding capacity of the soil by 20 percent.

“The quality of the land is ultimately a reflection of a well-run dairy farm.  With proper management of livestock manure we not only sustain the land, we enhance it,” Davis said.  “One day someone will say we really cared about this land.  That’s the ultimate compliment for a dairy farmer.”

New methane digester technology on some dairies converts manure into methane-rich biogas, a renewable fuel that can be used to generate electricity. Farms with this technology may generate more than enough electricity to run their farm operations, and they can offer the excess energy back to the local utility company.

Water -- A Precious Resource

Milk is made up of 80 percent water.  It’s no wonder water is considered the most important resource on a dairy farm.   Clean, fresh drinking water for the cows is essential for wholesome, quality milk.   In addition to a dairy farmer’s personal commitment, farms must abide by clean water laws.  Water is routinely checked as part of the state dairy inspection program.

“This farm is our home.  We depend on the same water supply for our own drinking water.”  Davis said “We’d never do anything that would jeopardize the health of our children or my family’s efforts to produce only wholesome, quality milk. Managing our water resources is one area that will not be compromised.”

Dairy farmers use water responsibly and judiciously.  For example, water used to clean the milking parlor is often reused to clean feed alleys and then to irrigate fields.  Potentially, water could be recycled two to three times on a dairy farm.

Something’s in the Air

Dairy farms produce odor.  It is a natural result of the manure produced by dairy cows.   Dairy farmers do their best to control the odor through technology and good management. In addition, the dairy industry is working actively with university researchers and industry manufacturers to identify ways to control the odor that is often associated with manure.

“As dairy farmers, we are just as concerned about air quality as our community is. We want to be good neighbors,” said Cody Britt, a dairy farmer from Wesson, Miss.  “What’s more, our family lives and works on our farm, and breathes the air, too.”

Dairy farmers protect air quality by following proper manure storage practices and by maintaining clean facilities.  By law, manure must be stored in on-farm storage facilities until conditions are appropriate for land application.  University researchers and industry manufacturers continually work with dairy farmers to identify new ways to control odor such as reducing the ammonia-nitrogen emissions by removing excess protein in the cow’s diet, improving manure handling, storage and application of manure on cropland.

Safeguarding Natural Resources for Neighbors and the Future

Dairy farmers share a great deal with their neighbors and those who consume dairy products – air and water for starters.  They also share a concern for the future.  That’s why they are not just farmers, but also stewards of the land on farms they call home.  Water is used resourcefully and monitored to assure purity.  Manure is applied as a natural fertilizer to replenish the soil. All of these steps are to safeguard natural resources for anyone who drives, works or lives nearby.

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