Then to now: Dairy farms evolve, become more efficient

May 26, 2022 at 2:30 pm CDT

Cows eat at Francis Lindauer and Sons Dairy Farm in Ferdinand, Indiana. Many modern dairy farms use a climate-controlled barn where cows move about as they choose. The barns are equipped with fans, misters, and soft bedding like sand, mattresses and waterbeds to keep them comfortable.

INDIANAPOLIS — Dairy farms across the United States are more efficient than ever thanks to advances in technology.

Over the last 60 years dairy farmers have perfected producing more milk with fewer resources.

From 1940 to 2019, U.S. milk production had a two-fold increase while milk cow inventory decreased by 60%, according to Texas A&M University.

During that time, the number of cows decreased from over 21 million to less than 10 million cows. As a result, waste and resource usage declined.

S12034-C Box 329 Purebred Holsteins graze on a permanent pasture in 1929.

Farmers continue to become more efficient, according to American Dairy Association Indiana.

Within the last decade, dairy farmers have promoted sustainability and reduced their carbon footprint:

• 30% less water used.

• 19% less greenhouse gasses.

• 21% less land used.

• 20% less manure produced.

Learn more about dairy cows at www.winnersdrinkmilk.com.

Then to now: Dairy farms evolve, become more efficient

Erica Quinlan