Dairy Farmers of America

Behind every drop of our milk is the passion of more than 9,000 family dairy farmers. It's the same passion that has been passed down to them for generations, and one that our Cooperative commits to nurturing for generations to come. Because proud DFA farmer-owners who produce delicious, nutritious dairy are the core of what we do and who we are. From small farms to larger farms, and all the farms in between. Each one, whether multi-generational or newly established, takes pride in keeping the milk flowing and our dairy cravings satisfied. Our farmer-owners? They're so much more than just dairy farmers — they're business owners, crop growers, employers, and, at times (or quite often), mechanics, electricians, and all-around problem-solvers. On and off the farm, DFA farmer-owners are industry leaders, community supporters, school board members, volunteer firefighters, Little League coaches, and so much more. They're woven into the fabric of their communities, taking part in big and small ways to support, celebrate, and engage with their neighbors down the road and around the world. Deliciousness starts on our family dairy farms Smooth-running farms and well-cared for herds are keys to producing the most delicious milk. It's an every day, year-round job — and our farmer-owners love what they do (even when the wind chill is 40 below). A day in the life of our farmers Sunup to sundown, our farmers are hard at work. Explore a day in their lives. Running a farm requires an early start. A very early start. While you're dreaming, our farmers are rolling out of bed, firing up the coffee pot, and preparing for the long day ahead. There's never a shortage of things to do on the farm. Our farmers use this time to clean, mend, track, and catalog. Once they're finished, they might sneak inside for a little breakfast. Time for the first milking of the day. This is a routine for everyone involved, and the cows are lining up to get started. Once milking is over, they're ready to eat. Each milking cow eats about 100 pounds of feed each day! Calves are the future of the herd, so they need to grow strong and healthy. Our farmers use this time to give them their full attention — feeding them, providing them with necessary care, and showering them with attention. Before the afternoon heat sets in, farmers use this time to tend to their fields, planting crops to feed their herd — or making an unexpected pitstop to fix a tractor. Every day brings a new and exciting challenge to tackle. Farming burns a lot of calories. Time to fuel up with some lunch (and a glass of milk, of course!), and then it's time to head back out to work. The milk truck arrives! Fresh milk is loaded into the tank, which takes it to the dairy manufacturing plant to be made into all of the products you love like milk, cheese, butter, ice cream, and much more. Farmers are business people, too. While dairy farming is labor intensive, it also involves a lot of record keeping to make sure cows' health records are current, their growth is on track, and the crops are tended to. Veterinarian visits don't happen every day, but once or twice a week the cows need a quick checkup. Especially our expecting mothers and young calves. The vet will take care of any vaccinations and treatments, and ensure the animals are healthy and thriving. Time to feed the cows — again! Producing milk makes the cows extra hungry, so our farmers make sure their dinner is nutritious and prompt. Yep, the cows get milked twice per day (and sometimes up to three times!) By maintaining a strict milking schedule, our farmers keep them comfortable and well-cared for. After a full day of work, our farmers are ready to relax and unwind. They spend time with family, eat dinner and then hit the hay for some rest. Now they're ready to tackle it all over again tomorrow. Sustainable farming (before it was cool) It's one of our commitments as a Cooperative and a responsibility all our farmer-owners share