October 29, 1996
New study finds farmers optimistic about Minnesota's
dairy industry
Some Minnesota farmers who graze their dairy
herds are optimistic about the future of the state's
dairy industry, according to a new study of 29
grazing operations.
You can find the study results in a new publication,
"Knee Deep in Grass: A survey of twenty-nine
grazing operations in Minnesota."
Management intensive grazing (MIG) techniques are
being rapidly adopted in parts of Minnesota. The
report summarizes in-person interviews conducted in
1994 with 29 Minnesota dairy farm families using MIG
practices. The farms were typical Midwestern dairy
farms; almost all were single family operations
averaging 58 cows and approximately 300 acres of land.
The families said their quality of life improved
after adopting MIG since they shifted from
repetitious tasks such as baling hay and repairing
equipment to duties like pasture and business
management. And graziers with seasonally freshened
dairy herds reported even more time savings,
especially during the dry period.
Profits on farms using MIG improved since farms
have drastically reduced input purchases such as feed
and fuel. Many people support the idea that MIG can
slow the exodus of Minnesota dairy farms and reduce
further rural degradation. MIG helps maintain
profits on small to mid-size family dairies, preserves
existing community jobs and encourages farm children
to continue farming.
The report was published by the Minnesota
Institute for Sustainable Agriculture (MISA) and the
Minnesota Extension Service. Authors are Brian
Loeffler, Helene Murray, Dennis Johnson, and Earl
Fuller.
The publication is available from county extension
offices in Minnesota. Or, you can place an order
with your credit card by phone or by check or
credit card by contacting:
Minnesota Extension Service Distribution Center
University of Minnesota
1420 Eckles Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55108-6069
(612) 624-4900 or 1-800-876-8636.
The cost is $5 + shipping charges ($2.00 per copy,
$3.50 for 2-3 copies - call for information about
shipping charges for additional copies) and 7 percent
sales tax for Minnesota residents.
For more information, contact Dennis Johnson, West
Central Experiment Station, State Hwy. 329, Morris,
MN, 56267, (320) 589-1711. Email:
dairydgj@caa.mrs.umn.edu; or Helene Murray, address
listed at the end of this message.
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Helene Murray
Coordinator and Assistant Professor
Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture
411 Borlaug Hall
University of Minnesota
St. Paul, MN 55108
phone: 612/625-0220
fax: 612/625-1268
email: murra021@maroon.tc.umn.edu
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