Ag in my Land: Life on a dairy farm in Alabama

What is the farming community like?

I live in a rural county in which forestry accounts for roughly eighty percent of the acreage, so you can’t go very far without seeing lots of trees. We operate the only remaining dairy in my county, and we are joined by one poultry farmer, two commodity crop farmers, and a handful of beef farmers as the only people making our full-time living in production agriculture.

Specific to dairy, my region has lost many farms over the past two decades. 125 operating dairies were licensed in Alabama fifteen years ago, and today we have only 35. Neighbouring states have seen similar declines as well. The loss of farms has also resulted in a loss of options for service and supplies, and the nearest “full service” dairy equipment and supply company is now six hours from my farm.

Looking at the future, how will you safeguard your farm knowing so many others have closed?

We are taking steps to be in a position to successfully transition to raising beef instead of dairy farming, should the market no longer support dairy operations in our area - whether because of low margins or loss of infrastructure.

What is the biggest difference between American dairy farming and British dairy farming?

The economics of dairy farming and the path milk takes from farm to table are probably the biggest differences between the American and British industries.

Our milk is put onto a transport trailer every two days and hauled to a milk processing plant.

Though the plant is only 100 miles from our farm, ours is only the second of several farms on that transport's route, so it actually travels a bit further before it finally reaches the plant. Once it is offloaded, it is pasteurised, processed, and packaged (all of the milk in our area is "jugged" for drinking). From there, wholesalers distribute the milk cartons from the plant to various retail stores in the region.

We share the same commitment to stewardship, quality, and to some degree the same climate. Average winter temperatures are around -1degC, and summer highs average 32degC, though high humidity can push the 37degC.

We get between 55-60 inches of rainfall each year.

What do you love most about your job?

Though I could have pursued many other careers and have had opportunities to take jobs in the city that offered higher pay for fewer hours, I feel that farming is my calling. Knowing that I’m doing what I’m meant to be doing fuels my love and passion for farming and makes all the challenges worthwhile.