When people think of dairy farmers, oftentimes they only think of how we milk and care for cows. The reality is that dairy farmers also do a lot to care for the land. Taking care of the soil — a living, breathing organism — is a huge responsibility for dairy farmers.
One of the benefits of dairy farming (aside from the delicious dairy foods) is that the crops we plant help to protect the land. The nutrients in the soil are crucial for the crops. When the land is bare, it could expose the soil to erosion, and if the soil erodes, potential nutrients could go with it. Nutrients, like phosphates and nitrates, are essential for crop growth and nourishment. If these nutrients erode off the soil, they can go into the water supply, which isn’t ideal for aquatic plant growth or water oxygen levels.
The crops planted on our land — from cover crops over the winter months to alfalfa in the spring, summer and fall — hold the soil, including those essential nutrients, in place. The roots of these crops not only hold the soil in place, but also help to maintain the integrity of the soil. Also if we can provide a healthy soil, water infiltration is increased and the potential for soil movement is reduced. We are proud that by using cover crops, winter wheat and alfalfa, 35% of our land is covered. If we include the corn and soybean fields where we leave the stalks present in winter, that number rises to 45%.
Because we have livestock, it is important that we keep the land protected all year round to provide our animals with nutritious feed. To be able to grow the crops that we need to feed our cows, we need healthy soil. Not only are our cows benefitting from the healthy soil, but the environment as a whole is better off, too.
