Career: Dairy Farmers
Agricultural Research Service/ Scott Bauer
Got milk? Dairy farmers do -- with the help of a herd of milk-producing cows, that is. Some dairy farmers sell milk only, but others process their milk into groceries like cheese, ice cream, and butter.
While in movies dairy farmers may squeeze milk from teats by hand, in real life the process is high-tech. Thanks to health and sanitary regulations, dairy farmers now use special equipment that protects milk from germs.
Dairy farmers breed, care for, and milk dairy cows. They also process the milk for drinking or for use in other dairy products.
Did You Know?
- The use of a bovine growth hormone called rBGH/BST has sparked public debate.
Are You Ready To...?
- Make sure cows are milked two or three times a day
- Vaccinate your herd against disease
- Sell manure to a local crop producer
- Join a dairy cooperative
- Keep records of purchases and sales for tax purposes
- Maintain a computerized customer database
It Helps to Be...
Interested in new technology. Better ventilation and lighting systems can help make cows healthier.
Make High School Count
- Take science courses such as biology and chemistry. These classes will help you understand what cows need to produce good milk and how milk is processed.
- Learn more about food in consumer and family studies classes.
- Start building the skills you’ll need to run a business. Pay attention in English and math and sign up for classes in computers, business, and accounting.
- Join FFA or participate in 4-H programs.
- Work on a local farm.
Did You Know?
- Cows drink about thirty gallons of water and eat about ninety-five pounds of feed each day.
Outlook
Government economists predict that small farms will continue to go out of business through 2016. However, there is some good news: Many of today’s farmers are expected to retire in the coming years, and they will need to be replaced. At the same time, fewer people are choosing farming as a career. Some small-scale dairy farmers have stayed in business by joining marketing cooperatives to process and sell their products.
Compensation
The earnings of dairy farmers vary widely depending on farm size and the products made. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, farm, ranch, and other agricultural managers who are paid to run the businesses earned an average yearly income of $62,400 in 2008. Farmers and ranchers who own or rent the properties earned an average of $49,140.
