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You deserve to hear the real story about dairy production from those who know it best…America’s dairy farmers. Withless than 2 percent of the U.S. population involved in farming today, many people don’t have the opportunity to visit a dairy farm.
Add the fact that most people are three to four generations removed from the farm, and you find a pretty big information gap. The below information from hard-working dairy men and women will help bring dairy farm practices to life.
| Myth: The reason the price of milk is going up in the grocery store is so dairy farmers can get rich. |
| Fact: On average, dairy farmers receive 30 cents of every retail dollar. Today’s recent price increases for dairy, and all foods, beverages and other goods, are tied to dramatic increases in energy/fuel, distribution, transportation, feed, and other supply costs. These on-farm price increases have left slim margins for dairy farmers in recent years. |
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“What’s causing the price of milk to go up in the grocery store is a lot to do with demand…We’ve had a lot of increase in demand in this country, which is wonderful. People are really seeing the benefits of milk…Also, farmers are seeing a lot of cost increases in producing milk.” |
Linnea, Illinois dairy farmer | 
| Myth: Large farms aren’t family farms. |
| Fact: According to USDA, about 99 percent of all U.S. dairy farms are family-owned and operated. |
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Ed, Florida dairy farmer |
“We may be big business and our farm is, in fact, a corporation…All the stockholders are family members. I’m essentially a business with my brother, my brother-in-law, my father and we’ve combined all four of our businesses into one…I’m a corporation, but I’m not a corporate farm. I’m still a family farmer.” |
| Myth: Large, “corporate farms” force small, family farms out of business. |
| Fact: There are more than 60,000 dairy farms in America and the average herd size is 135 cows. According to USDA, the majority (77 percent) of all U.S. dairy farms have less than 100 cows. |
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“All farmers care for their animals. All farmers care for the land and farms are structured in different ways…as all businesses have tended to change over generations, dairy farms are no different than any other industry. But the things that remain the same are the care of the animals and the care of the environment.” |
Linnea, Illinois dairy farmer |
| Myth: Pesticides are overused and end up in milk. |
| Fact: Pesticides are not a health concern in any milk products. Thorough testing and stringent government standards ensure that all milk is safe, pure and nutritious. Dairy farmers consistently meet or exceed safety regulations on pesticide use. |
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“Farmers do not overuse pesticides because we live on the land, we drink the water, we drink the milk, and so as part of being a good manager and good steward, farmers are caring for the environment…Milk is the most highly regulated food product in the country.” |
| Myth: All milk – except organic milk – contains antibiotics. |
| Fact: All milk is carefully tested for antibiotics. Any milk that tests positive is disposed of immediately, and does not enter into the food supply. |
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“It is a good thing to be able to provide good husbandry and good health care to the animals when they get sick. And some of them need antibiotics...Any animal that’s treated with antibiotics doesn’t make it to the food chain. The steps we have put in place to avoid such a thing are next to impossible to allow it to happen.” |
Dr. Alan, Arizona veterinarian |
| Myth: Today’s dairy cow is treated like nothing more than a milk machine. |
| Fact: Dairy cows must be healthy and well cared for in order to produce pure, wholesome milk. |
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Ben, Arizona dairy farmer |
“I think a lot of people in town and in the urban areas don’t realize or they have the misconception of how we care for the animals. I think we do a great job of caring for the calves and cattle.” |
| Myth: Dairy cows are kept in cramped, dirty quarters without access to the outdoors. |
| Fact: Cow comfort is very important to dairy farmers. Ensuring that clean, dry bedding is available to cows at all times, in addition to providing healthy living conditions, are top priorities to dairy farmers. |
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“We have a bed for each animal. We have food and water 24 hours a day. We can keep shade over them if it’s in the hot sun…if a cow is comfortable she is going to eat more and then she is going to give more milk.” |
Linnea, Illinois dairy farmer |
| Myth: Baby calves are mistreated and don’t receive proper attention. |
| Fact: To help protect calves, dairy farmers place them in clean, dry, individual pens shortly after birth to control their environment, administer proper nutrition and vaccinations, and get them off to a healthy start. |
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Dr. Alan, Arizona veterinarian |
“The calf needs to be born in a clean environment. As soon as it’s born, we want the navel dipped, some vaccinations may be required and then we obviously want to get colostrum, which is that first milk from the mother, to the baby...As time goes by, the ability of that calf to absorb the nutrients and the antibodies that protect it diminish.” |
| Myth: Modern dairy farmers don’t practice sustainable agriculture. |
| Fact: Dairy farmers depend on land, air and water as part of their livelihood. In fact, dairy farms must follow strict state and local water quality regulations, and meet standards for manure storage, handling and recycling per guidelines from state and federal agencies. |
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“Farmers absolutely care about the environment. We need to pass this land down through generations. We need to care for this land – it’s part of what we take pride in as being farmers…We take care of the land so that future generations will be here and it will sustain their families as well.” |
Linnea, Illinois dairy farmer | |
